Diamonds in the Rough:National Search for Young Doctors in the Community Setting

Of unsung heroes we have a thousand of them…Of Filipino doctors serving the community, they are our “Diamonds in the Rough”.

Honoring these unsung heroes does not only give due credit to the “doctor behind the rough”. More importantly, it gives glory to the very essence to which these doctors chose to live their lives- serving the often neglected communities in the Philippines.

That’s why on its 75th year, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity, in its search for EXCELLENCE in the realm of community service launches “Diamonds in the Rough”, the national search for outstanding young community doctors in the community setting.

Here is an excerpt of the mechanics, lifted with permission from the Diamonds in the Rough National Search website. (You can view all the details of the search from this website.)

MECHANICS

Award Categories
There are three major Award Categories: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. These categories correspond to geographical locations of physicians who can be in communities with substandard qualities of life and very minimal resources for health care throughout the Philippines.

Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the award, the nominee must:

1. Be a Filipino citizen 40 years old and below
2. Be a duly licensed medical practitioner under the Professional Regulatory Commission of the Philippines
3. Have actively served in the under-served community for which he is nominated for at least five (5) years
4. Be currently practicing in the said community
5. Not have been recognized by any award-giving body with similar objectives
6. Not have been charged with any misconduct involving moral turpitude
7. Not be related to any members of the Phi Kappa Mu or its partner agencies up to the 2nd degree

Nomination Process
Any individual, NGO, LGU or any organization based in the Philippines is eligible to nominate. Nominations may be made with or without the consent of the nominee. Requirements for nomination are as follows:

1. Duly accomplished official application form. This form is available for download in http://diamondsintherough.ph.
2. Pertinent documents including but not limited to testimonials, citations, commendations and other documents in support of the nominee.
3. Written profile of the community in terms of location, demographics, and other information regarding the community.

SENDING ENTRIES
All nominations are to be submitted to the DITR Screening Committee, addressed to the DITR Secretariat. You can also submit your nominations to the Salamat Dok Current Affairs and News Office.

Alvin Anthony P. Anastacio
Unit 35 F2 One Adriatico Place
Adriatico St. Ermita, Manila
Philippines

Salamat Dok: Current Affairs and News Office, Ground Floor,
ABS-CBN Sgt. Esguerra Corner,
Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City

Nominations can be directly sent to info[at]diamondsintherough[dot]ph or diamondsintheroughsearch[at]gmail[dot]com, with all pertinent documents scanned.

All entries must be received by Phi Kappa Mu in the UP College of Medicine or any of our partner agencies on or before November 15, 2008.

FINALISTS and WINNERS
Diamonds in the Rough will have 9 finalists (three each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) selected by the DITR Screening Committee. The 9 finalists will be elevated to the Final Evaluation Committee who will select three winners of the Diamonds in the Rough Search (one from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).

FINAL EVALUATION COMMITTEE
The DITR Final Evaluation Committee will be composed of multi-sectoral representatives selected by the Phi Kappa Mu and its partner agencies.

The finalists would be subjected to an intensive evaluation by the DITR Final Evaluation committee. This may involve on-site evaluation, gathering of testimonials, data gathering, authentication and evaluation of submitted documents. The final evaluation committee to ensure the impartial selection of the 3 Diamonds in the Rough winners.

CRITERIA
The Diamonds in the Rough criteria focuses on the doctor and his community.

I.The doctor should be a man of integrity committed to selfless service to others in need. He should have made a significant impact on his community through his passion and dedication. He should be an effective leader and community organizer.

II.The community will be evaluated based on its location, accessibility, and the availability of medical resources. The community should also have worked hand in hand with the doctor in initiating progressive change in the health and well-being of their shared community.

The DITR Final Evaluation Committee will actively interpret the principles above and determine the final criteria for the final three winners of the Diamonds in the Rough.

PRIZES and AWARDING
Each of the 3 winners will receive PhP100,000 worth of total prizes. The community of the DITR winner will also receive PhP100,000 worth of prizes, to go to projects supported by the DITR winner. Awarding will be held on December of 2008.

For Questions and Inquiries, you can contact the DITR Secretariat, Alvin Anastacio through e-mail info[at]diamondsintherough[dot]ph or through gmail[at] diamondsintheroughsearch[at]mail[dot]com or mobile phone 09162156336.