Friday, March 31, 2023

Ilocos Norte scholar tops physician licensure exam



LAOAG CITY -- Aira Cassanda S. Castro, a scholar of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte's Doctor of Medicine Scholarship Program, topped the recent March 2023 Physician Licensure Examination with a grade of 89 percent.
    Dr. Castro made history by becoming the first medicine graduate from the Mariano Marcos State University College of Medicine (MMSU-COM) rank first in the board examination.
    She was consistent academic achiever from primary level until medical school.
    She was valedictorian of her high school and grade school.
In 2017, she graduated summa cum laude from the MMSU College of Arts and Sciences' BS Biology program.
    She promptly enrolled in Doctor of Medicine program at MMSU, where she graduated cum laude and valedictorian in 2021.
    “I want to teach at the MMSU College of Medicine (COM) to train the younger generation of Ilocano doctors,” expressed Dr. Aira Cassandra S. Castro in a press briefing conducted after the release of results.
    According to Dr. Castro, her intention to teach at MMSU-COM is also a way for her to repay MMSU and the PGIN for giving her with a scholarship during her time in medical school. She aspires to eventually work at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC).
    She remarked that the shortage of doctors in Ilocos Norte was her key motivation for pursuing her career. “I always want to serve Ilocos Norte. So, MMMHMC po ang choice ko,” said Dr. Castro.
Along with Dr. Castro, Dr. Christian Alvin Arca, Dr. Marianne Shem Caraang, Dr. Neil Justine dela Cruz, and Dr. Mida Dorothy Manayon also passed the PLE and achieved a 100% passing rate, giving the university its seventh straight perfect record in the board exam for medical doctors since it began fielding examinees in 2020.
The Doctor of Medicine Scholarship was an initiative of Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc which aims to provide Ilokano doctors who will ensure the delivery of healthcare service in the province, particularly in far-flung areas.
Aside from medicine, the provincial government  also offers scholarships for law school, academic, technical-vocational, agri-fishery (tertiary and secondary), arts, sirib youth leaders, and senior high school.

 

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