DR. JOSE BENJAMIN B. UNTALAN...first dermatologist of Sultan Kudarat
Posted on Wednesday, 22 November 2017
DR.
JOSE BENJAMIN B. UNTALAN…first dermatologist of Sultan Kudarat
By
Apolinario Villalobos
If
one hears the word “derma” or “dermatologist”, what comes to his or her mind is
the sophisticated line of medicine with select patients such as the rich. It
connotes pretty and smooth face without fine lines…but, that is true many years
back. Today, “derma” means total skin care not necessarily with the use of
expensive lotions and oils as affordable products have proliferated the market.
On
November 20, Dr. Jose Benjamin B. Untalan assisted by his dentist wife, Dr.
Maggie Reginaldo and young son who is also a medical practitioner, Dr. Janjan,
attended to hundreds of senior citizens of Tacurong city at the office of the
OSCA. Affording him additional assistance were volunteer senior citizens who
prepared the list of beneficiaries as early as 8:00AM. Most medicines given to
the seniors were from the family’s clinic, dispensed free of charge, while the
rest were donations from the Philippine Dermatological Society. The medical
outreach was in commemoration of the World Skin Day in collaboration with the
OSCA and the Senior Citizens Federation of Tacurong City.
Dr.
Ben Untalan has practically went through insurmountable trials and difficulties
before he realized his dream to serve his fellowmen. He chose the special field
of dermatology when he observed that this is what his province lacks, as the
rest of practitioners were surgeons, internists, optometrists, or
pediatricians. His early days of practice saw him treading roads towards almost
inaccessible communities. The choice made him the “first dermatologist in the
province of Sultan Kudarat” trained by the SPMC, one of the 11 accredited
institutions for such field. Other titles he earned are: FPDS (Fellow of Philippine
Dermatological Society); DPBD (Diplomate, Philippine Board of Dermatology);
FPSV (Fellow, Philippine Society of Veneriologists).
Reared
by a midwife mother and a physician father, Dr. Ben grew up with compassion
deeply-etched in his heart. He could have pursued a profession that could make
him amass wealth in a short period, but he opted for one that could force him
to be generous oftentimes. Such compassionate generosity even pushed him
further…serve the seniors, many of whom are underprivileged.
The
boyish-looking doctor is highly idealistic which I observed when I had a
breakfast with his family a year ago. With his son, Dr. Janjan silently
listening to our discussion, we touched various subjects. We did not realize
that we have spent almost 3 hours for the supposedly quick breakfast as they
still had to leave for their clinic. It was my first time, too, to have such
kind of breakfast, as I normally abhor conversation over meals.
Dr.
Ben’s idealism founded on compassion was put to fore on November 20, 2017 when
he gamely reported for “duty” during that particular medical mission outreach
project despite aching knees due to depletion of collagen that provides
lubrication so that a slight bending made him wretch in pain…but he persisted
until the last patient has been served.
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