19/08/2025
Long before she became "Doc Jemie," she already envisioned something more than white coats, hospital rounds, and clinical charts. She pictured herself as a steady hand and a compassionate heart for every member of the family, starting from infants to the elderly. Hailing from the province, she has always been deeply rooted in the goal of returning home after her medical training—to start a life in family medicine and create a journey for each family she encounters by extending her hands to her fellow Cagayanos and neighboring communities, whether guiding a mother, treating a child’s fever, or comforting a grandparent facing chronic illness. As she continues to journey with patients, her journey in family medicine is deeply personal, built on a foundation of service, love, and commitment to return home and give back to the community, where she can begin to support patients closer to her home.
Journeying through each day as a dedicated steward of health, she touches the lives of patients across every stage of life. As a family physician, her mission goes far beyond diagnoses and prescriptions. She strives to create lasting relationships, ensuring continuity of care by collaborating closely with specialists, empowering her patients through her presence, and standing beside them every step of the way. Beyond treating symptoms, she embraces the patient as the core of care, addressing the diverse illnesses and the emotional challenges that impact their lives. Additionally, she acknowledged that there were moments when the weight of her responsibilities left her feeling challenged and exhausted. Yet, what reignites her passion is the deep gratitude expressed by the families she serves—especially when she recalls the compassionate guidance she provided, from ailing children to chronically ill grandparents, during the most critical times of their lives. “These experiences tell a story of my dedication that makes all things worthwhile in guiding the steps of each patient. A rewarding moment to celebrate that somehow, I made a lasting difference in healthcare,” she added.
With a heart sharpened by her subspecialty in Palliative and Hospice Medicine, she walks alongside patients navigating the challenges of chronic and progressive illnesses. This expertise enables her to focus not only on clinical care but also on optimizing quality of life—whether in the hospital or the comfort of home. Her training equips her to skillfully manage complex symptoms while also offering a steady source of emotional support to patients and their families, helping them face the uncertainties of illness and the fear of loss with grace and stability.
Reflecting on her path from years ago as a Family Physician and Palliative Specialist, she realized exactly where she is meant to be. She is truly blessed to do things that she is passionate about—delivering family-centered care and streamlining support services until the end by offering comfort when a cure is no longer possible. As a doctor, she knows someone has to do this for her patients, and that commitment is what drives her resilience. It helps her meet each moment with skill and empathy at every stage of their illnesses.
Doc Jemie obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc. She further pursued and finished her specialization at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital. Moreover, she earned her subspecialty at the Division of Supportive, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine at the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital.
