#SUWomenLeaders: Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista
#SUWomenLeaders: Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista
#SUWomenLeaders Series for National Women’s Month 2021 – In celebration of National Women’s Month, Silliman University features its women leaders whose initiatives contributed to the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the community.
The IRS opened its Free Physical Therapy (PT) Clinic last December 2020 with the aim to provide free treatment and services for patients from low-income households who have little access to healthcare services.
The clinic serves as the community extension program of IRS, and its approach to therapy and rehabilitation empowers patients and their caregivers by teaching them independence. This allows patients to continue their treatment at home without the need for regular visits to the clinic and caregivers, such as family members, to be knowledgeable in managing a patient’s PT needs.
Following strict health protocols in its operations, the clinic is also where PT student-interns, who cannot train outside the city due to quarantine restrictions, are given an opportunity to gain practical experience.
Bautista said the IRS wanted to advocate better access to PT services for the underprivileged and provide “high-quality and compassionate care” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the belief that other forms of healthcare and treatments unrelated to COVID-19 should continue to be provided.
With Bautista’s leadership as the director of IRS, the IRS was able to empower patients, make PT services accessible, eliminate the hesitation to get other forms of treatment during this pandemic, and find a way for students to practice what they learn while prioritizing their safety.
This is what happens #WhenWomenLead in Silliman University.
In the following interview with Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista, she shared updates on the Free PT Clinic three months since its opening. She also answered questions about herself as a leader, educator, and woman in light of National Women’s Month:
1. May we have an update on the operation of the IRS Free PT Clinic? What goals have you met so far? What kinds of feedback have you received from patients and the student-interns?
The Free PT clinic is open to patients from 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Friday. The Clinic sees an average of 4 patients per day and currently has 14 active patients. We hope that we can reach more people as we still have the capacity to handle more patients.
Our initial set of goals is visibility and I think with the help of our clinical team leader Ms. Roselle Felisilda, our clinical instructors Mr. Jarome Simon and Mr. Erwin Arapols and of course, the interns, we are achieving that goal.
Patients have been reaching out directly or through referrals from physicians. We continue to hope and gain the trust of the underprivileged. I will be honest, a lot of them are skeptical at first, always asking if it’s really free. So, I think this might also be one of the barriers, as they are fearful that this is nothing but a marketing ploy.
A memorandum of agreement between Silliman University and the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office has been signed. We are in the process now of coordinating and collaborating to discuss what we can offer for the underprivileged citizens of Dumaguete City with the help of CSWD.
The patients have reported gratitude with the opening of this clinic, as some of them lost their jobs due to illness or injury or the family may not have the financial means to support the treatment of their loved ones. One parent of a young patient specifically said that they had to stop therapy for her daughter for 2 years as she did not have the financial resources to pay for the therapy even at the Provincial Hospital. She stated that she found out about the clinic through Facebook and is very grateful for this free service. Her daughter can now open her hands and her walking has improved since therapy. She agreed to share a picture of her daughter doing therapy to show others what the clinic can offer for patients like her daughter.
The interns reported that they are thankful that the PT clinic opened as this gave them an opportunity to practice the skills they learned from levels 1 to 4. COVID-19 has affected their internship program significantly and they started with primarily online strategies. Although they were not able to go to other centers outside of Dumaguete, an intern, Ms. Richelyn Yamuta, stated that she felt that they are getting the experience they need. She further commented that this experience is a lot better than an online internship as they can feel what tightness is, they can move a limb, physically see the real progress of patients, and this indeed is very satisfying. She stated that they also get a variety of patients coming in, such as orthopedic, neurologic, pediatric, and others.
2. What are your next steps for the Free PT Clinic? Is IRS planning to expand its services, cater to more patients, or extend its service for a longer period?
My main concern is sustainability. I would like to plan an open house once COVID-19 restrictions on gathering are lifted. We plan to ask for support from individuals, organizations, and maybe the local government. Right now, though our mobility is still limited.
We would like to cater to as many patients as possible. We will offer it for as long as we can sustain it.
Another plan that I have in the future is to get a formal CHED accreditation for the Free PT clinic to accept interns from other schools once our patient load increases. This program aside from being a major extension program for SU IRS, can be a wonderful avenue for service-learning for students. Internship affiliation fees may help subsidize some of the expenses as well.
I am hoping to get the support of the University to find a real home for the clinic as now we are just using one of our Practicum rooms, but once the full school schedule starts, we will not be able to use the room on a full day and daily basis capacity as the room will be utilized for regular laboratory classes.
3. In your field of work, what motivates you to keep going as a leader and as a professional?
I have been very blessed with a wonderful career and a multitude of personal and professional experiences. I would like our students to have similar experiences in their careers, so this really motivates me to better the PT program. I also like to look at least 5 years ahead, if I like what I see in the future, I forge forward!
4. What do you think is the biggest challenge for women in this “new normal”? How do you think it can be addressed?
We cannot turn back the clock, but we should always see these challenges as learning experiences. The biggest challenge is how to act and return to “normal.” We have to learn to overcome our fears of COVID-19. Even with the advent of the vaccine, mainstream media are still reporting that we will never be the same. Of course, we will not be the same, as now we know more. We know how to combat cross-contamination, we know how to protect ourselves from the virus. We should see things not as challenges but as opportunities. Opportunities to apply our new learning, new experiences and show off our newly found greater strength.
5. Describe your ideal “new normal” for our community.
I see the new normal as being more aware and cautious of our surroundings. We will be more aware of cleanliness, disinfection, and sanitation. I also hope that people will become more mindful of personal spaces. Most importantly, I think the community will realize the value of family, friends and peers, the value of the economy, and the value of social interaction.
6. One woman you look up to and why.
My mother. She is the reason why I am what I am right now and I can only hope that I can match her footsteps.
