PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Hello, everyone! Welcome to your new and improved website! With the assistance of Rise Faith Espina-Dajao, Class '72, our PRO, and Bradford Tan, Class 1983, our webmaster, I am going to try to make this a continuing forum through which I hope to disseminate information regarding the Association. During our recent board meeting held in Philadelphia, Mark Paradela, one of our young board members, suggested that we send a letter to all the alumni in the US, to make sure that they were apprised of the status of our present and future projects. Everyone thought it was a great idea and hoped that this would generate more interest among the alumni to make them seek membership and become more active in the Association. This first newsletter will be sent via snail mail to reach out to all the alumni in the US for whom we have addresses. Those of you who do receive it are encouraged to get in touch with your classmates and help spread the word about the website. In order to save on stamps and be a green organization, the succeeding ones will be placed only on the website and maybe sent via email to those whose email addresses are on file. Our website address is: www.asocimai.org. So here goes:
The first project was the renovation of the restrooms at the Cebu Institute of Medicine. I am happy to say that the project has been completed. We are continuing to make sure that they are maintained in pristine condition so we have set aside funds to do just that.
The elevator shaft (which was never used for its intended purpose!) has been renovated to become a museum of sorts - detailing the history of CIM from its inception. This project is on-going and not quite complete but we are hoping that by December 2008, we shall see this come to fruition. The first floor will showcase all the Deans of CIM and the outstanding faculty. The second floor will be dedicated to the alumni with all their names engraved by year and in alphabetical order. The third floor will honor those alumni who have been given awards and recognition by their peers in the Philippines and abroad. The fourth floor will list our very generous donors. The fifth floor will hold memorabilia from our 50th anniversary celebration.
We also continue to provide funds for charitable organizations in the US. And as always, we do not forget our ongoing commitment to the scholarship fund to help deserving medical students at CIM.
You can be proud of this organization. It has just turned 25 years and already, it has made its mark in the history of our alma mater. Our first 25 years was more social and educational, only because the membership was mostly young and did not have the financial capability to give. The next 25 years should be memorable for our commitment to service and aid to our communities and our alma mater. We hold a reunion every year so that the membership can get a report from the Board, besides the much-awaited social interaction among former classmates and schoolmates. This year, it will be held from May 20 - 24, 2009 at the Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Our CME series is always topnotch. Other details will be posted on the website.
So, there you go. That's what we have been up to over the past few years. The Association, if you don't already know, is a Foundation with a 501(c)(3) number, hence ALL YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. The Board hopes that our membership grows and that there is strong commitment to the mission and goals of the organization. We need your input and your support. Tell us what we can do for you. Be involved! You can place your suggestions and comments on the website, too. On to the next 25 years!
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