The Silliman University Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (SUMCFI) celebrated its 17th year of faithful and dedicated service last week through a series of hospital-wide activities participated by its employees, guests, and the community. Among the activities were the morning devotion, a motorcade, Dance for a Cause (a benefit dancercise activity for TB patients), and a Breastfeeding Lay Forum (a free learning session for expectant mothers advocating breastfeeding).
The celebration was primarily organized by the SUMCFI Social Committee led by its chairperson, Ms. Annaliza T. Tabuñag.
Reinvigorated to continue serving the community, the SUMCFI marked another year and a fresh beginning as it continuously expands not only its physical facilities and assets, but also its services.
Twenty years ago, men and women in the leadership of Silliman University and representatives from the Dumaguete community shared a vision. Their vision was to expand the reaches and improve the quality of service of what was originally established by American missionaries as the Mission Hospital. The Mission Hospital, originally housed at the Katipunan Hall on campus, eventually moved to its new home and present location, and came to be known as the Silliman University Medical Center. These men and women of vision comprised the Hospital Committee, a Committee of the Board of Trustees of Silliman University.
Appreciating the wisdom and initiative of the Hospital Committee, the Board of Trustees approved the Committee’s recommendation, and authorized the organization of a new and separate legal entity which would manage and operate the Silliman University Medical Center for the University. Thus, in November 1999, the Silliman University Medical Center Foundation Inc. was formally registered and recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The means towards the realization of the vision was born.
As we look back on the last 17 years of the Foundation’s operations and existence, let us reflect on the legacy originally entrusted to us by the founders of the Mission Hospital, who planted the seeds of an ethic for Christian healing and service, which ethic was nurtured among the health workers and staff at the SUMC, and is now carried on with dedication by the SUMCFI.
Without vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 provides a profound insight: “Without a vision, the people perish.” Any undertaking, significant or otherwise, must be founded on a vision. It is this vision which determines not only direction, but especially the manner of pursuing the mission, and most of all, the values by which those involved in the undertaking must be governed. Vision defines the character of an organization. Vision determines our identity. When we digress from our vision, we condemn ourselves to a loss of our identity.
Indeed, SUMCFI’s success cannot be determined simply by financial bottom-lines, impressive structures, and highly-advanced equipment, growth in medical and other support personnel, or even a reputation for being the best. Success is measured above everything else by our faithfulness in pursuing the vision with zeal and determination.
The SUMCFI story began in faith. The SUMCFI vision, to be the health care institution of choice for competent and compassionate care, is best articulated in our story. The SUMCFI story began in faith. In Mark 4: 31-32, Jesus shared this parable to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The beginnings of SUMCFI were not characterized by a giant seed of an idea which quickly gained acceptance and popular support. Indeed, the beginnings were in the tiny seed of the idea planted in the hearts of the Hospital Committee in the face of opposition and skepticism from different sectors in the SUMC, the University and the community. In fact, a large number of our own SUMC staff expressed strong distrust and objection to the vision, violently protesting against the creation of the SUMCFI.
Notwithstanding several obstacles over a three year period, the Committee, acting in faith, proceeded with resolve to pursue the vision.
Today, we see the result of that tiny seed of faith. Today, we are proud members of an institution which has grown into a giant tree, a tree which has branched out and expanded its reach in providing “care for people as a Christian ministry of Healing.”
Through the improvements in the SUMCFI Complex, we have provided better quality and compassionate health care for the people in our community, and even beyond, as people from across the sea have been drawn to our Christian brand of service.
As the faith of a mustard seed-like idea grew among the SUMCFI family, we have been privileged to experience the joy of serving in faith and dedication and, in so doing, catching a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.
The SUMCFI story was authored by God. And yet, the SUMCFI story is far from over. As our story began in faith, it continues in stronger and deeper faith, as we acknowledge the true author of our story.
The author is not the Hospital Committee, and neither is the Board of Trustees which authorized our incorporation. It is also definitely not the management, its staff and personnel, or even our professional consultants. All of them certainly play a vital and indispensable part to the SUMCFI story, but they are all mere actors inspired by the grace and power of our One True Author, God.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gives this inspiring encouragement: “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:4-6).
It is God who planted the mustard seed of a vision in the hearts of the Hospital Committee. It is God, who allowed the SUMCFI tree to grow beyond even our wildest dreams and expectations. And it is God, who will continue to give us a glimpse of heaven in our service with SUMCFI as we continue to prosper and progress.
But please take note that prosperity and progress are best expressed, not in our financial success or even our state-of-the-art tools for healing. As Paul declares, the finest expression of prosperity and progress for those of us who serve in SUMCFI is in “our partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”.
Yes, God, will complete the vision for SUMCFI to its perfection as we keep the faith, and as we acknowledge the One True Author and Perfect Healer in the midst of our work and labors. True, we have many actors in the SUMCFI story. Each one has done his share of watering the giant tree; but always, it is Only God who makes the plant grow! (“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but only God made the plant grow.” 1 Cor. 3:6).
The SUMCFI story is dedicated to the glory of God. And this is why, in spite of all the many distractions and temptations around us, we must continue to keep our eyes focused on the vision planted by the Author in our collective hearts as an institution.
To be sure, the distractions are real. For some, it is the motivation for material benefit and gain — good compensation, school and hospital benefits, and many more.This is the distraction of wanting to receive more from SUMCFI, instead of allowing it to give more to the sick and the needy who come to our doors. To others, the distraction is power, engaging in the politics of control, manipulation, and interference in the high places. And still to some, the distraction is to use the SUMCFI for personal success, fame, and glory.
Whether we consciously pursued our distractions or not, today, in our reflections, let us acknowledge the SUMCFI story, our story, and this story is dedicated to the glory of God, to Him alone, and no other! Today, let us remember that we are not just working in an ordinary hospital. First of all, let us remember that at SUMCFI, we are missionaries anointed to serve in God’s healing ministry. Our missionary ethic is what sets us apart from any other hospital.
In Psalm 115:1, King David declares: “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”
A personal testimony. Let me end with a personal testimony. In my early 40s, I thought that God had taken my life, and then changed His mind. By His grace, and through the actors in His story at this institution, He healed me just enough to serve Him more in His ministry.
A decade later, I felt that He took my life again, and again, He seems to have changed His mind. And by His grace, and through the actors in His continuing story, He healed me just enough to serve Him more in His ministry.
I thought and felt wrong. Indeed, God is a purposeful God who is perfect and never makes a mistake, or changes His mind. Now, I understand God’s miracle in a better light. In those moments of healing, God spared me from the excesses to my health, because He is not yet done with me. He is still completing the work He began in me.
Today, as someone healed by God’s grace, God keeps me on a tight leash, reminding me that in my mortal body, I still carry a very sick heart and very bad kidneys. I live each day in faith, grateful for each blessing He brings my way; whether it is provision, or self-fulfillment, or health for the day, it is sufficient. For in my weakness, God’s power is made perfect. (“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9) And so to Him, and Him alone, I ascribe all glory and honor.
Keeping our Vision Alive! Indeed, God is not yet done with SUMCFI. He is still completing the work He began in our institution. As we celebrate 17 years of mission service, let us keep the faith, pursue the vision, hold fast to our story, and always, always give God the glory! Amen.
