With steadfast support and love, Dr. Abelaine Venida Tablizo, a Miriam College alumna, has undeniably touched many hearts through her outstanding service in raising awareness about leprosy and striving to eliminate this neglected disease worldwide. Her exceptional advocacy continues to make a difference for people battling leprosy in the Philippines. Dr. Tablizo has been working tirelessly for thirteen years, serving as the President of Rizal Dermatology Services, Training, and Research Inc., fulfilling duties as the head of the Leprosy Unit of the Rizal Medical Center, and continuing to inaugurate the ‘Hansen’s Disease (HD) club,’ with hundreds of HD patient club members in her first year of residency.
Dr. Tablizo continues to work on finding hope for this neglected bacterial infection by collaborating with the Department of Health, as they aim to eliminate leprosy by 2030. Moreover, it is noted to be an unusual disease with stigma due to its tie to religion, perceiving the symbol as pernicious. This stigma casts down the vital role of seeking correct medical care, leading to the development of physical, psychological, and social disabilities and debilitation for patients with leprosy.
Although it has been strenuous for them to untangle this crisis, her endeavor is still to provide assistance by training healthcare workers nationwide pertaining to its diagnosis, management, and clinical pathways. Her objective as a doctor has consistently been to ensure that patients receive proper care and supervision.
Dr. Tablizo embodies what a true Knoller is all about and how she made an impact, bringing Miriam College pride by showing kindness and goodness in her work as a doctor and a mother of four. One of her experiences that underscored her career was representing our country at the Philippine Centennial celebration in Alberta, Canada during her fourth year of high school, which deepened her perception of life and how we can be an inspiration to others and flourish.
She believes that God is the center of everything in life. Her hope is to encourage Knollers to believe that pouring your heart with full dedication, perseverance, compassion, and love is a way to prosper, as it will not just allow us to attain goals, but to reach the fullest potential of happiness and contentment. Moreover, she emphasizes that finding purpose in life is essential for living it to the fullest.
