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| Andrew Leeka: A Pinoy at heart |
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With his long association with Filipinos, Leeka has come to understand and appreciate a lot of the cultural aspects and relationships inherent in Filipino culture. “I understand how a hospital setting can make one fearful since it is associated with something serious and life-threatening. So, when you step into a hospital and you see another Filipino, you feel more relaxed. There’s immediately a bond that says ‘I understand what you’re going through.’ I see this character trait in Filipinas – they are naturally helpful, they want to give care,” said Good Sam’s CEO.
It will please Pinoys to know that the five-star hospital ranked as one of America’s best hospitals is not only headed by an “almost Filipino”, but also gets its nurses from – where else? –the Philippines. Leeka explains, “We have this partnership with Cebu Doctors Hospital for the past three years now. We send educators from the hospital to train their nurses on latest techniques and equipment who have to stay with Cebu Doctors for at least two years. Then, we select a group of nurses to employ here at GSH, who can earn from $60,000 - $100,000 a year. There are now 8 nurses in training in Cebu preparing to immigrate here in LA.”
Surprisingly, Andrew Leeka has been to the Philippines on official business several times, unlike his Filipina wife, Melinda, who has never been to her homeland. “My wife’s father, Juan Tabanera, came to the States in the 1920s aboard a ship. He worked in all kinds of jobs until he was stable enough to go back to the Philippines to get his wife, Nita. They had four kids – 3 girls and 1 boy. They were proud to become Americans and were extremely patriotic,” related Leeka. But, Andrew revealed that his family looks forward to visiting the Philippines with him soon, “on a holiday and not on a business trip”.
When not busy running the hospital, Andrew takes eskrima lessons, “that’s martial arts, Filipino style,” he said. Or, he would be eating at Goldilocks or Max’s (“my boys’ favorite restaurants”) if not grilling bangus at home (“Just grill the marinated bangus for five minutes on one side –delicious!”). How much more Filipino can this German-Scotget? (www.asianjournal.com)
(Published October 22, 2008 p.2mdwk LAMDWK)
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