The rapidly evolving medical scene proffers a roller coaster of practitioners with peculiar traits and skills amid emerging changes in their particular field of specialization. Despite skepticisms of the perils in the medical practice still a great number of potential doctors relentlessly face the challenge defying all caveats and odds experienced by frontline proponents. Success in this field comes on hand with such ease even before the title MD (Doctor of Medicine) is being attached to one’s name. But what barometer gauges the level of supremacy in this highly competitive area of elite professionals?
If to be successful is to be happily contented after having achieved or accomplished a goal, having significantly made a positive impact on people, and effortlessly established a legacy to steer and inspire others to tread their own road to success, easily then, one could incontestably refer to Dr. Elma D. Castillo as a quintessential exponent of somebody on top of her league.
Approachable, decisive, intelligent, dedicated and compassionate, Dr. Elma Castillo, after having been practicing her profession for almost three decades, has reputably established her own personal advocacy in the realm of her profession: being able to absorb her patients’ pain, feeling their anxieties, concerned about their struggles, and compassionately relieving them from stress coupled with her maternal instinct. These, and much more of her emphatic doctor-patient association, could effectively hasten the healing process according to her patients.
Dr. Castillo unquestionably possesses that invigorating routine for focus and the instinctive drive of connectedness to her work. Although they say there’s no definite formula for success but it couldn’t be denied that there are those who unquestionably stands out apart from the rest in the same field of interest. And who could argue with what Dr. Castillo is currently enjoying?
Robert Greene, best-selling author and prolific researcher, analyzed that the emotional attachment and quality of time, more than the intellect, devoted by people to their job made them successful.
Dr. Elma Castillo’s success could be distinctly attributed to her resiliency and unconditional dedication to her profession with, of course, her greatest assets— her irresistible charm and her supportive better-half, Dr. Rod Castillo.
“I’ve always been very vocal that marrying my husband is tantamount to winning a lifetime lottery,” she said, punctuating her fearless statement with a coy grin. “And that was the best decision I ever made in my life…responding positively to his marriage proposal. He’s been my steady guide to success since.” And she cast a fleeting look at Dr. Rod who was unmindfully scrutinizing the glossy pages of a coffee table book not far from where we were.
Even the amiable lady doctor readily admits that there’s no specific or devised pattern for success and she openly shares the monotonous but exciting order of her daily grind.
“The one thing that keeps me relentlessly driven is my passion and compassion to what I do. I automatically transform myself the moment I enter my office. ..from being a housewife to a medical practitioner ready to serve. I allocate some few minutes doing self-contemplation to get prepared for the day’s work.
After all, what makes one complacent and dedicated to his profession is enjoying every single minute of what he does without restraint and heedless of the passing time. I am for quality service and not to come up with a certain quantity.
“Every day is a new challenge for me. I always tell myself that I am not here chasing money for God has consistently provided me with more than what my family needed. I’m here because I found something I’m emotionally committed to—practicing my profession and providing service to whoever needs me,” was her strong pronouncement delivered in a subtle way devoid of any tinge of egocentricity.
Before I could even throw my next question, Dr. Elma was quick to punch in an addendum to what she has just said.
“…and people should never dwell in their past achievements. We should always strive for the best in everything we do and deliver the paramount result without aiming for recognition or anything of the sort in return.”
Everyone in the Filipino-American community has known Dr. Elma Castillo to be a smart doctor and consistently a standout in every social gathering prominently garbed in the latest fineries and fashion accessories. A few may be aware of her remarkable involvement in many recognized socio-civic and charitable fundraisers. And yes, when one sees the affable lady doctor, her ever accommodating husband cannot be far behind or somewhere close in sight. But other than these, her personal stature merely remains fuzzy and vague and as if they never care at all as long as she’s around, socializing and intermingling with them.
Getting to know Dr. Elma De Villa Castillo:
Born on January 27 in Taal, Batangas, Elma is the eldest among four children (two girls and two boys) of Ceferino De Villa and Maria Consolacion.
What was your early interest?
“Actually, I wanted to be a school teacher after being inspired by my grade school pedagogues. Being a doctor was the farthest thing from my mind since I knew we were poor and my parents couldn’t afford to send me to medical school.”
Who influenced or convinced you to take up medicine?
“It was my father. He was very ambitious and really wanted to have the very first doctor not only in the family but in the entire barrio. Since I was the eldest and he knew I could do it based from my academic records, I abandoned my initial plan and heeded his advice. I enrolled at the Far Eastern University School of Medicine. I finished my Doctor of Medicine degree with General Pediatrics as my sub-specialty.”
Was there at any point when you almost gave up due to the pressure and demands of your course?
“There was nothing of that sort…actually, I was really serious in burning my midnight oil not only to sustain my scholarship but in order not to fail my father’s expectation of me. Although I had limited allowance that prevented me to attend socials and weekend getaways I had no complaints. After all, what I didn’t know I wouldn’t miss. My keen concentration to my studies kept me occupied and it paid off.”
How did you meet Dr. Rod Castillo? Was it love at first sight?
“Hahahahaha!!! We’re just introduced by a common friend and became gradually closer after constantly seeing each other along the school corridors and campus quadrangle. It took him a year before he got my nod but it took us five years before we finally tied the knot.”
Where and when did you exchange “I Dos”?
We were first married civilly on May 7, 1981 in Houston, Texas where his family was and finally had our church wedding on June 4, 1983 at the St, John’s Catholic Church in Orange, New Jersey while simultaneously taking my residency at Long Island College Hospital from 1982-1986.”
I’ve learned your connubial union has produced three amazing kids.
Yes, we’re blessed with three wonderful kids: Marianne is a graduate of Medicine from UMDNJ and currently working as an Emergency Room Attending in Pediatrics at Jacobi Medical Center; Melissa, a Magna Cum Laude BS Biology graduate and in her 2nd. year of Medical School in UMDNJ; and our only son, Rodrigo, Jr., is a graduate of Biomedical Engineering from NJIT and is currently working at the Universal Hospital Services in Totowa, New Jersey.”
Are there still other things you want to accomplish in the future?
“You know, parents’ concern about their children is limitless. We’re still eyeing on helping them get through with their studies, get established until such time when they have their own families. We couldn’t wait for the arrival of our first grandchild who is due on May. Gradually, with God’s help, we’re getting closer to achieving what we’ve planned for…for our children, for the community, and for ourselves.”
“Travelling extensively is also in our plan. After having been to many countries and continents, aside of course, our very own Philippines, we fell in love with Italy and Greece because of their rich cultural history, well-preserved architecture, religious sites, and ornate churches but Jerusalem still remains a priority for obvious reason.”
Additional info:
Dr. Elma Castillo is currently affiliated with Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen and Meadowlands Medical Center in Secaucus, NJ while simultaneously conducting joint practice with husband Doc Rod in their West New York and Secaucus medical offices.
Aside from being the President of the Far Eastern University Medical Foundation (New Jersey Chapter) and an active member of the Philippine Medical Association in America and the Philippine Pediatric Society of America, Dr. Elma is also a member and Fellow of the American Board of Pediatrics (National and New Jersey Chapters).
Active in varied community services and fundraising events, Dr. Elma’s downplayed involvements in many charitable organizations remain unheralded but never ignored. The kindhearted couple had personally financed and supported two secular priests (the first was ordained in 2008 and the second in 2012) and a nurse (who graduated from Arellano School of Nursing in 2011).
Her valuable voluntarism and philanthropic acts justifiably deserved the honor of distinction and appreciation from different Filipino-American organizations most worth-mentioning of which are: Parents of the Year award (2010) from the National and State of New Jersey; Parents of the Year (2012) from the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL); Outstanding in the Medical Field (2010) from PACCAL; and Medical Award (2010) from Knights of Rizal.
Being sanctimonious with a reputable image, Dr. Elma has been invited to be the Hermana Mayor in several religious occasions: twice at the Catholic Action of Mary (2012-2013); twice at San Lorenzo Ruiz (2011-2014); and at Fiesta in America in 2014.
This coming Saturday, March 28, 2015, another prestigious designation will be added to her already long string of titles— as the Honorary Chairperson of the 2015 Women’s History Month celebration, PACCAL’s annual event distinctly honoring a veritable breed of Influential Women and Women Achievers in connection with the international commemoration of Women’s History Month. On her hands, the success of the event is almost in sight with her capable headship and genial camaraderie.
This year’s fitting slogan, ‘Fortifying Women Empowerment’, the symbolic occasion is geared towards the promotion of gender equality while strengthening the current women status to a more globally enviable level that their skills and achievements be readily documented and their struggle, aggressively addressed.
Conscientiously chaired by PACCAL treasurer Rebecca Samanyaphon and the indefatigable Ramona S. Gapasin as Co-chair, PACCAL 2015 Women’s History Month is slated on Saturday, March 28 (1:00 PM – 5:30 PM) at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 160 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey.
The grandiose awarding and dinner-dance gala has Black and Gold for its motif and Filipiñana or strictly evening formal for attire. Guests are requested to come in black and gold floor length gowns and Barong or dark suits for the gentlemen. Ticket donations are pegged at $85 with non-stop social dancing and entertainment.
For ticket reservations and more info, please call: Becky Samanyaphon @ 201.616.9120; Ramona S. Gapasin @ 201.401.7232; Lumen Castañeda @ 917.538.1702; Rose P. Javier @ 201.993.8815; Linda M. Mayo @ 201.388.1260; and Bobby T. Yalong @ 201.300.5234.
For comments and suggestions, please email to: [email protected] or [email protected]
