Renowned
cardiologist and top-ranked physician, Dr. Esperanza Icasas-Cabral never lacked for
respect – or success. The indefatigable Dr. Espie is a teacher, scientist and doctor,
with countless hours spent tending to her patients, students and researches. She is a good
communicator and uses her skills to make the public and her patients more knowledgeable of
health and disease. A tireless advocate, her personal exemplification of the ideals and
values she believes in is a source of inspiration for the many who have come to know her.
With more than 30 years of success and accomplishments behind her, it was time for Dr.
Cabral to step out of her comfort zone and try her hand at a similarly challenging pursuit
– social welfare and development.
The Pasay native earned her medical
degree at the University of the Philippines and completed her training in Internal
Medicine, Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology at the Philippine General Hospital and
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Joslin Clinic in Boston,
Massachusetts, USA.
Dr. Cabral held key positions in the
top medical institutions in the country. She was a professor at the UP College of Medicine
Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology and Director of the Philippine Heart Center as
well as Chief of Cardiology at Asian Hospital & Medical Center. She was also editor or
editorial consultant of medical journals and publications. She has authored and
co-authored more than 85 scientific papers on hypertension, cardiovascular pharmacology
and clinical and preventive cardiology. In addition, she was a TV show host in two public
service programs, HeartWatch on Channel 13 and InfoMedico on Channel 9, where she
presented health information and advice.
Aside from having been Director of
the Philippine Heart Center, her experience in government includes consultancy work for
the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Bureau of Food and Drugs and the Department of Health.
Prior to her appointment at the DSWD, she was the commissioner representing Science and
Health of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.
Her distinguished and multi-faceted
career has been recognized with notable citations such as the National Outstanding Young
Scientist for Medicine Award for 1981 by the Department of Science and Technology, the
1982 Achievement Award by the Philippine Society of Experimental & Clinical
Pharmacology, the Outstanding Woman in the Nation’s Service Award for Medicine in
1986 and the 1st Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award by the Philippine Medical Association
in 1991.
Espie, as she is fondly called by
close friends, is married with three children. Her husband, Dr. Bienvenido V. Cabral, is
an ophthalmologist and her children, Cristina, Patricia Anne and Brian Michael are all
medical doctors.
Her new position as Secretary of
Social Welfare and Development should enable her to cap a full life of service with even
greater service. |
