May 30, 2024
Blessings abound when one’s life is for the service of others.
Dr. Belen Lardizabal-Dofitas, the President of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine
Leprosy Mission received the 33rd Jose P Rizal Memorial Award for the Research Category on
May 18, 2024. This award was given by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and PMA
Foundation for Professional Medical Advancement Inc., in partnership with United
Laboratories, Inc.
The Dr. Jose P. Rizal Memorial Award is an annual search for outstanding Filipino physicians
who embody the ideals of the national hero in their lives, practice, and service. It is the highest
distinction given to a Filipino physician. The Philippine Dermatological Society nominated Dr.
Dofitas. She is also a member of the Quezon City Medical Society. Dr. Dofitas believes that
she received this award due to her long-standing commitment with the Philippine Leprosy
Mission and research on public health concerns.
The awarding ceremony was held at the Function Room 1 of the SMX Convention Center in
Clark, Pampanga. Dr. Dofitas and four other JRMA awardees received a specially designed Dr.
Jose P. Rizal Memorial Awards Trophy, a Dr. Jose P. Rizal Memorial Awards Medallion, a cash
prize of P50,000.00, and P50,000.00 worth of Unilab medicines to be donated to a charitable
institution of the awardee’s choice.
There were three finalists in the Research Category. The judges selected Dr. Dofitas based on the
following criteria:; Research and Scholarly Works (70%); Academe Involvement (6%);
Community, Socio-cultural and Religious Involvement (6%); Government service/partnership
(6%); Professional Practice, Experience and Training (6%); and Excellence in other fields of
endeavor (6%).
One of the judges, Dr. Maria Rosario Capedeng, delivered the reasons for awarding Dr. Belen
Dofitas: “She is a prolific researcher: committed, dedicated, relevant. She exemplifies her
love of country through her dedicated service that spans the spectrum of health care. She
extends her expertise beyond the walls of tertiary care facilities to reaching out to
communities to improve public health. She molds the next generation of doctors with her
interest in telehealth and telemedicine. A prolific researcher, her researches on skin
Neglected Tropical Diseases such as leprosy and yaws brought needed attention to
vulnerable populations. She actively incorporates traditional and alternative health care
practices that, not only honors the country’s traditions, but also provides effective
management options for patients. Our awardee is multi-faceted, just like our national hero.
Her many undertakings and achievements in research and other fields leave no doubt of her
commitment to improving the health and well-being of Filipinos.”
We thank God for this blessing!
