There are few women and men who leave indelible footprint in our lives, our country, and the world. Dra. Thelma Tupasi was one of these special few.
She was an amazing teacher. I first met Dra. Tupasi at our 3rd year Medicine class (1976) – and I was awestruck by her. She immediately commanded our attention with her confidence and mastery of the subject matter: antibiotics, their properties, appropriate and inappropriate use. I remember to this day her strong aversion against irrational combinations such as “amoxycillin – cloxacillin”. Indeed, she was the precursor of antibiotic stewardship as we know it today.
I might add that we also admired Dr. Claver Ramos, a brilliant diagnostician and clinician in the field of Nephrology. They were indeed an admirable and handsome couple
She was an excellent researcher bar none. During my residency, she was the Head of the Infectious Diseases Section of the Dept. of Medicine of UP-PGH. From her, I learned the rudiments of clinical and community-based research. She carried out the seminal studies on the epidemiology of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the country, funded by USAID.
But Dra. Tupasi was meant for bigger and better things to come. One cannot keep such outstanding persons to just one institution; she belonged to many organizations, the country, and global health. She moved on to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine as its Director, and continued to lead even bigger research programs on ARI and other infectious and tropical diseases. At the Tropical Diseases Foundation, she was recognized for her significant contributions to both TB control and elimination efforts in the Philippines and global knowledge on TB.
She was an indefatigable and fearless leader. She was the Congress President of the 4th Western Pacific Congress on Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases (WPCCID). This was the first time the Philippine Society for Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (PSMID) hosted such a huge regional congress, and most of us feared we would not be able to delivery. But Dra. Tupasi stood strong and led us to a successful event, which was awarded by the Philippine government as the “tourism event” of the year. Most importantly, because of the income generated from WPPCID, Dra. Tupasi suggested that it was time for PSMID to establish its permanent headquarters – again, to the objections of some who said we could not afford it. Today, the PSMID Headquarters stands proudly as a three-storey multi-purpose building – thanks in large part to Dra. Tupasi, who said “We can do this.” I hope that PSMID will name a wing/floor in honor of this lasting legacy of Dra. Tupasi.
She repeated her feat as Congress President of the 25th International Congress of Chemotherapy, another resounding success for PSMID and the indefatigable Dra. Tupasi.
I’ve seen her work both her charm and steely leadership, and learned a lot about leadership and management from her. She always prepared well for meetings (be it for PSMID, for research, for public health programs) -- always clear about the meeting objectives, and smoothly steering meetings to the expected outcomes. And this was true as well for larger goals she envisioned.
Truly, Dra. Tupasi, you have left indelible, giant footprints in our minds and hearts. We will do our best to carry on and reach your – our – dreams for the Filipino people, especially the poor.
We love you, Dra. Tupasi. Rest now in the bosom of the Lord.