Thank You, P. Tan!

Today, the Bacolod Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital celebrated the death anniversary of its former boss: renowned surgeon Doctor Patricio Y. Tan. Dubbed as the father of Surgery in Bacolod City, the late Doctor P-tan, as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues, revolutionized training of surgical residents and the dispensation of medical services to Bacoleños during his time. He was considered a pioneer, a trailblazer, and many surgeons today owe their training to him. Doctor P. Tan is beloved by many even after his death, both by his former employees, former residents who are now surgeons and consultants, and even fellow medical doctors who are in other fields of specialization. P. Tan was also former chief of the Bacolod Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital and during his time he had made numerous contributions to the field of medical service.
During his death a few years back, employees and doctors of BOLMSH dedicated a shrine in his memory and renamed the hospital’s chapel the Chapel of Divine Mercy in honor of Patricio Tan. In his memorial shrine, his huge portrait smiles back with the words: God’s Masterpiece. And many of the hospital’s staff and consultants agree.
As an intern I have only known the man through stories from our consultants and staff. I have heard many anecdotes of the late doctor’s kindness, stories of his antics, tales of “terror” during his rounds and operations, and somehow the interns of BOLMSH, though unfortunate to have not met him, look up to him as an example of dedication and passion for the patient.
It was thus fitting that the BOLMSH administration, headed by Doctor Evangeline Johnson, dedicated its new surgical wing to Patricio Tan. The Patricio Y. Tan Surgical Wing was opened during the anniversary celebration and was attended by the late doctor’s family, BOLMSH staff and consultants.
Doctor P. Tan has always been an integral part of the BOLMSH community. Even after his death, P.Tan has never been forgotten by the people he has touched and helped while he was still alive. With a heart and soul like P. Tan’s, it is very hard to forget such a man. From all of us in BOLMSH we shout a big “Thank You!” to the boss, mentor, doctor, father and friend: Doctor Patricio Tan.