A new wave of leadership
Dr. Potenciano S.D. Larrazabal III, MD. DPBO, MAHAD, was installed as president and chairman of the board of the Cebu Doc Group of Hospitals by Dr. Paulin Jean B. Rosell Ubial, secretary of the Department of Health, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Dr. Yong, as he is fondly called, injects a new brand of leadership nurtured by years of successful medical practice in ophthalmology under the inspiring guidance of his late father, Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., and mother Zeny. Earlier, his brother, Philip Anthony took over as president of the Cebu Doctors University. The sphere of challenges for the two Larrazabal brothers widens and both pledge to imbibe the noble ethics of their profession with even more zest and passion to honor their father who left a legacy of service and commitment. “Now, it’s our turn,” Dr. Yong pledged.
Dr. Yong has a huge number of patients. How he manages his time to serve all and cater to other related tasks has been a wonder to behold. With six brands in the Cebu Doc Group of Hospitals, he said, “I told my wife Donna that ‘I have six Christmases to spend with my hospital family. But my Valentine’s Day is reserved for you!’”
To keep his energy, he excels and has been gathering laurels in sports, specifically in marathon competitions. With the help of wife Donna, family, and his team of doctors, Dr. Yong has organized community-based projects to help calamity victims and provided health services to the indigents. Now president and chairman, how does Dr. Yong see the Cebu Doc Group of Hospitals in the next years?
“We will all be interconnected with access cards for doctors and patients to speed up services, like making the results of labtests accessible. All hospitals will be compassionate and patient-directed; affordable fees; moratorium for office rentals; leveled-up labs; clean ambiance from lobby to all places in the hospital; fully equipped emergency and trauma center; acquisition of bigger parking space; adoption of a one-year nursing training with linkages. And, soon another hospital in Northern Cebu.”
Amazing! And to think that during his youth, Dr. Yong wanted to be an architect, but his dad, Dr. Jun—who wanted him to be a doctor—refused to talk to him for weeks, until he yielded. So, Yong recalled, “I chose the medical career.” As he related this, there was a slight pause. He quietly shed tears, and the audience understood. For who wouldn’t miss Dr. Jun, who touched so many lives? Jun and Zeny had been our friends.
So the journey continues. Dr. Yong sees the Herculean challenges but he would tackle every step of the way zealously, with his family, peers and the Lord!
Carry on, Dr. Yong!