Remembering Sr. Ming: A Tribute to Our Beloved Friend

In Loving Memory of Sr. Ming

Last week, we experienced an unimaginable loss with the untimely passing of our dearest Sr. Ming, DC. As a cherished member of the San Juan de Dios Hospital community, her absence is profoundly felt by all of us. Sr. Ming was not only a dedicated servant-leader but also a beloved friend to many, and her spirit will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.

A Visionary Leader and Friend

As I reflect on the time spent with Sr. Ming, I am reminded of the countless moments of connection we shared. She was instrumental in transforming the hospital into a world-class tertiary facility. Together, we envisioned a future where healthcare services provided were of the utmost quality, and every patient who walked through the doors felt revered and cared for.

Her influence extended far beyond her roles; she demonstrated unwavering compassion and dedication, particularly in her support of the nursing staff. It was Sr. Ming who initially brought me on as an HR and OD consultant, where our journey together began. It was through this collaboration that I conducted market research aimed at upgrading nurse salaries, reinforcing her commitment to ensuring fair compensation and recognition for the invaluable work done by our healthcare professionals.

A Legacy of Excellence and Improvement

Our work did not stop at just nursing salaries; under her guidance, we expanded the scope of our study to encompass all employees. Sr. Ming understood that a successful organization is built upon decent earning and the morale of its entire workforce. Together with the HR team headed by Wray Abundo, we rationalized the rank and compensation plan of the hospital, ensuring that it aligned with required and emerging competencies vital for delivering exceptional healthcare.

Through our shared vision, we dreamed of enhancing operations across three Philippine DC hospitals. This collaborative effort highlighted the values and commitment that Sr. Ming exemplified — a relentless push for improvement, a belief in teamwork, and an unwavering dedication to the mission of serving patients with excellence.

When Sr. Ming was appointed as Superintendent of the Health Ministry for the Province of St. Louise de Marillac Asia, we worked on her initiative to bring closer collaboration and communication among the three DC hospitals in the Philippines, namely: USI-Mother Seton Hospital, SACRI, and SJDEFI. Our work involved bringing together different stakeholders from these hospitals to reflect on the emerging shared challenges that they faced. In the conference, we proposed the Shared Services strategy aimed at improving the support services of these healthcare facilities and achieving operational efficiency, cost savings, and sharing best practices, among others. Sr. Ming drew a shared service roadmap that we are working on until her death. This October we will continue the effort, hopefully with better insights, better understanding of the shared service model, and substantial agreements and resolutions. In all of these, Sr. Ming did not lose focus on the impactful benefit of the shared services for our patients, particularly those who are poor or have no access to professional healthcare services.

As we mourn her loss, let us also celebrate the legacy she leaves behind. Sr. Ming's contributions have profoundly reshaped our hospital’s culture and operations. She taught us that every improvement, no matter how small, matters in establishing an environment conducive to superior healthcare delivery.

In the days to come, let us honor her memory by continuing the work that she so passionately pursued. We will carry on her dream of excellence, uniting as a family and a community. The lessons of simplicity, humility and charity that we learned from Sr. Ming will guide us as we strive to uphold the standards she established, ensuring that our hospital remains grounded on mercy and compassion.

Rest in peace, dear Sr. Ming. You are deeply missed, but your legacy will forever live on in our hearts and in the halls of San Juan de Dios Hospital.