Dr. Irish Michelle Tan-Becina (陳美雪)

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Despite the risks of getting exposed to the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Irish Michelle Tan-Becina (陳美雪) of CKS high school batch 1999 continues to report at the National Children’s Hospital, a government hospital, as one of the emergency room consultants doing 12-hour shifts, leading three other pediatric residents under her mentoring. She and her fellow pediatricians are currently on a five-to-seven days rotation to reduce exposure to the virus.

Doc Irish is a Diplomate of the Philippine Pediatric Society. She also took pediatric residency at the National Children’s Hospital, batch of 2011. Prior to the enhanced community quarantine, she held private clinics at Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital, Providence Hospital and FEU-NRMF Hospital, but these clinics were temporarily closed due to the lockdown. Nevertheless, she still do rounds in these private hospitals to check on admitted patients under her care, who are also screened by the COVID-19 task forces of each hospital.

Though there are no confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 patients, there are still Persons Under Investigation (PUI) awaiting test results at the National Children's Hospital.

We asked Doc Irish how she feels about working as a doctor, now more than ever. She replied: "In all honesty, I am afraid too. More than my health, I am scared for my father-in-law and mother-in-law, whom I am currently living in with. They’re both senior citizens and my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. But I took an oath to help and serve others, so I just take all necessary precautionary measures so as not to endanger the lives of my family. And with lots and lots of prayers as well."

What's working in Irish's favor is that most of her family members understand her profession. Her husband is a pediatric gastroenterologist in training, her father-in-law is a neonatal intensivist, and her mother-in-law is a retired nurse.

She ended the interview by saying: "No matter what danger or risk we face, this is our duty. If we're not going to be in the frontline, then who will?"

Very well said, Dr. Irish Michelle Tan-Becina. Your CKS College is truly proud of you!