In 1968, a group of doctors met to form a specialty society for infectious diseases. They were men with great ideas but poor implementation skills and lacking attention to details. They needed a woman. So Dr. Elpidio Gamboa introduced Thelma Tupasi.
Thelma became the workhorse without whom the 2 years of preparation may have extended to 8.
In 1994 Thelma suggested that PSMID should have its own building. We questioned it as being too ambitious. Our society’s funds could not afford it. Thelma pushed, shoved, found the property and we bought it.
In 2000 Thelma proposed we bid for the next International Congress of Chemotherapy. We hesitated and doubted, “Hindi natin Kaya.” Thelma insisted we could do it. PSMID successfully hosted the 2005 ICC at the PICC. With it, PSMID went international.
Thank you, Thelma, for your initiatives, perseverance, leadership, and sacrifice. You have made dreams for PSMID come true. We are grateful and love you.
