ON January 31, 2006, an outstanding Filipina American retired from the Illinois Army National Guard after more than 2 decades of service. Dr. Felicitas Y. Espejo-Ramos was awarded the State’s Distinguished Service Medal and the Army Meritorious Service Medal. During a celebration of her service, Dr. Ramos received several congratulatory letters from Gov. Blagojevich, Speaker J.D. Hastert, Brigadier General, IL ARNG, Assistant Adjutant General-Army D.L.Celletti and the Mayor of Oak Lawn, Dave Heilmann. During her 21 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard, Dr. Ramos received several ribbons, medals and was the first female physician to attain the rank of full Colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard.
Known as "Fita" to her family and friends, and as "Fely" to new acquaintances, Felicitas Espejo was born in Manila on January 4, 1939. Her parents were both educators,Ezequias L. Espejo of Moncada, Tarlac and Festividades S. Yadao of Camiling, Tarlac. She admits her parents’ strong influence in her life, living their advice to "Have no fear to commit yourself and always be ready to serve God and humanity".
Fita studied in Camiling Junior College and Camiling Colleges where she was class Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively. She obtained her Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Santo Thomas in 1965. Dr. Ramos proceeded immediately to post-graduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Maternity & Children’s Hospital in Manila. She practiced in the Philippines for 5 years. In 1971, along with her husband, Virgil, and toddler son, Joseph, she immigrated to the United States of America.
Once in the United States, Dr. Ramos attended the review class for foreign medical graduates at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey and completed a mini-residency in Occupational Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati. She did a Rotating Internship at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Pk.,IL from 1972-1973.
Dr. Ramos worked as a House Physician at St. Anthony and Gottlieb Memorial Hospitals. She passed the Federal Licensing Examination in 1975 and began a solo private practice in family medicine at her clinic, the Midway Medical Clinic, until 1981. During this time, Dr. Ramos also worked as an emergency room physician at St. Anthony Hospital and Louis Berg Hospital; as well as an OB-Gyn house physician at Ravenswood Hospital and Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.
In 1981, she started working as a physician in the Department of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities (DMH&DD) for the State of Illinois. She worked for DMH&DD for 19 years.
Other places of employment include: the Chicago Board of Education (1985-1996),Allport MedicalGroup (1984-1999); Chicago Healthworks (1999-2001); and Horton Occupational Health (2001-2006).
Dr. Ramos is an active member of the American Medical Association, American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine; American Association of Family Physicians; American Academy of Ambulatory Care; Association of Military Surgeons of the United States; and both the National Guard Association of Illinois and the United States.
She has never felt overwhelmed by the extent and variety of medical services. In 1985 she joined the Illinois Army National Guard. During her tour of duties, she was particularly enthused to join humanitarian medical missions conducted both here in the United States and abroad – many in remote towns in Illinois and South America.
Dr. Ramos was married to her town mate, Virgil C. Ramos on June 4, 1966. Virgil is a graduate of Far Eastern University with a degree in Business and Finance. They are blessed with two sons, Joseph and Victor.
Dr. Ramos said that her life has never been and never will be empty. She approaches life and its problems with a sense of calm, knowing she can and will manage through any difficulties with determination and with the power of prayer to God. (AJPress)
( Published December 23, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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