Beauty is also skin-deep
NOT only our own Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach ended her reign this 2017. Our Dr. Evangeline B. Handog also ends her term in April this year as the president of the International Society of Dermatology (ISD).
Unlike the Miss Universe pageant, the ISD presidency is a four-year term (end of 2013-early 2017). Better known as “Dr. Vangee” to her colleagues and grateful patients, she steered the ISD with incredible grace, wisdom, and resolve. Her stint as president was notable, including uniting and expanding membership committed to the values of ISD. She is the first female dermatologist to head the distinguished society (you might say, apropos, a combination of beauty and brains). Her dervish energy will be a hard act to follow.
*** Some comments of international colleagues on their president: Executive Vice President Dr. Jean Bologna from Yale says, “For over a decade, Dr. Vangee has been the heart and soul of the ISD, first as secretary-general and then as president. She is founding chair of our mentorship program… traveled the world representing the ISD with aplomb…. With her gracious Filipino colleagues, she hosted our 4th Continental Congress of Dermatology .... Thanks for her great ideas, tireless energy, and intense dedication!”
Her longtime friend and ISD member Dr. Suzanne Olbricht from Harvard describes her: “Vangee Handog = Dematologic Dynamo… Our beloved Vangee works tirelessly and creates energy and excitement at the ISD, within the Filipino dermatological community and among her friends and family!”
ISD Past President Dr. Francisco Kerdel from Miami: “The ISD owes a great debt to Dr. Evangeline Handog... for her dedication and leadership… She will be remembered for all the new programs during her time as secretarygeneral and as president… We thank her for all her hard work.”
*** Excerpts from ISD newsletter interview of Vangee Handog:
Q: As secretary general and as president, how has ISD evolved ad what are ISD’s most notable achievements?
A: To borrow from a butterfly’s life stages, it has metamorphosed, out of cocoon, into a beautiful and colorful creature, spreading wings and soaring high. ISD’s transparency, spirited volunteers, teamwork, engaged, board, and standing committees made all our projects succeed. I couldn’t be happier.
Q: One of your goals as president was to ensure education first and foremost.
A: Education is vital to ISD. The membership program achieved its goal to upgrade the skills of many dermatologists, thanks to selfless mentors. The Global and Maria Duran Awards continued to recognize leaders… More regional meetings… two very successful Continental Congresses (Manila and Dubai)… and now the upcoming International Congress of Dermatology (ICD) in Buenos Aires… I am ever grateful for the efforts of the organizing committees to make all of these projects and congresses unforgettable.
Q: Volunteerism is very important to you, particularly your work training young dermatologists. How gratifying is it to help train future dermatologists?
A: Like a mother looks over her child, it is very gratifying to see young aspiring dermatology residents grow learning to care for their patients. It gives me much pleasure to teach TLC to young doctors.
Q: You traveled extensively as ISD president. What are your fondest memories?
A: Every gathering is memorable. I am grateful for the opportunity to make ISD felt and to know colleagues. I enjoyed the “selfies” with young dermatologists, proof of their recognition and appreciation.
Q: ISD is lively international camaraderie. Describe the friendships you made.
A: One word: PRICELESS! I have kept and grown with my beautiful friends who have always supported and guided me… and met and created new friends as President. I am blessed.
Q: The XII International Congress of Dermatologists (ICD) in Argentina is right around the corner. What are you looking forward to?
A: Aside from the excellent scientific program at beautiful Buenos Aires, I am looking forward to the General Assembly which will elect the new leadership. It will be my privilege to hand over the baton in April to our next president.
Q: Juggling your personal and professional life with your ISD responsibility must be challenging. What will be your advice to the next president?
A: Being president of an international organization is never easy. Excellent minds can be difficult to orchestrate at times. My advice: Set doable goals early. Listen to each one. Weigh all options. Delegate tasks. Keep clear mind and heart. Then decide what is best in each situation. Do not lose faith in yourself and in your family every day. Always look forward and positively. Smile!
Q: When your presidency comes to an end, what is on the horizon for you?
A: I hope to be more involved with the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and with the World Skin Health Day project brainchild of ISD. I will be collecting bells on my travels, and dancing rumba and tango to keep fit. ***
That last answer was not quite forthrightly exhaustive. Those who know Dr. “Vangee” Handog better are well aware that she is not only one of our foremost dermatologists; she is by avocation one of our professional tango aficionados (a bien parado Tanguera). If you remember Marlon Brando in “The Last Tango in Paris” and know Buenos Aires as the world tango capital, expect Dr. Vangee’s presidential valedictory to be unforgettable in the annals of the International Society of Dermatologists. FEEDBACK: