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Historical Background
Its groundwork is but a testimony of collaborative humble endeavors since the early years of 70's.
Only a few expected that putting up a non-profit hospital then would gain eventual public notice, which in many ways, could overwhelmingly establish an advocacy towards extended community services.
The very fact, it was really an intention of its founders to establish the first ever departmentalized hospital in Bicol, considered even then both as one of the most populated and poorest regions in the country.
Noble as it is, Legazpi Medical Center was established sometime in February 1973 by a bunch of stockholders (though most of its members were physicians coming from Manila, it can be noted that Aquinas University is one of the major stockholders), who worked hard to envision that someday it would institutionalize a small yet highly regarded hospital in the province of Albay.
It was during Fr. Ramon Salinas's time as Rector of Aquinas when the University became a corporate stockholder member of the said hospital. The inauguration started on February 28, 1973 when it was under the administration of Mrs. Rosario with Dr. Jose Zantua as the Medical Director and Dr. Elias Imperial as the Corporate President.
However, the incapability of the original group of physicians and surgeons from Manila to come regularly to Albay became necessary for a local institution to take over the hospital.
On July 1, 1975 Aquinas University took over the ownership and administration of the institution to serve as the base hospital of the then emerging college of Nursing of the University. Four days after, Fr. Salinas' brother, Dr. Enrique Salinas became the Officer-In-Charge. The said hospital was inaugurated with the presence of physicians and surgeons all coming from the medical mission groups of the University of Sto. Tomas.
The visit of the said medical group recorded the first three-day missionary/charity work for some of the poor patients in the province of Albay. The medical services rendered are free of any charge. The very reason hundreds of indigent patients went to the hospital with more than 25 surgeries being performed everyday.
It was more than a success for it marked one of the most significant events in the history of private hospitals in the City of Legazpi. Thus, it was considered a commendable start since Aquinas was just establishing its own status as the new hospital in town.
The next two years exemplified very busy transitions for Aquinas Hospital since there were constant changes in the management. Dr. Triumfante replaced Medical Director C. Macadangdang and in just a few years, Dr. Augusto Cubias succeeded her.
During Dr. Triumfante's time, the Dominican Sisters headed by Sr. Visitacion Alecto, who later became the Dean of the Aquinas University College of Nursing, assisted the hospital for the first time.
The urgent need to make available in the soonest time possible to serve large number of people and to further lower the costs of the modern medical facilities, the new administration worked for the immediate conversion of the hospital into a non-stock, non-profit corporation. The said goal was attained when the Securities and Exchange Commission approved it on March 1978.
Also, the management enhanced the community service program by introducing the "charity ward" because of the considerable number of indigent patients. All of them were provided with medical services free of charge, the same services as in the pay wards.
The overwhelming response resulted to the establishment of two community health centers in the barrios of Barangay Pawa and Taysan in the City of Legazpi. The said centers provided medical services to the residents, part of the outreach program, which give emphasis to the community and preventive medicine.
But sometime in 1986 and for unknown reason, Aquinas University Hospital was "temporarily closed" and later leased to Dr. Ruben Abunto. Abunto and his wife managed the hospital with the same corporate name. But the leased contract ended in the later months of 1990, when the hospital underwent a renovation to signal, a new chapter in Aquinas University Hospital. Fr. Patricio Apa, O.P. served as the Rector President.
Then on September 1991, Fr. Henry Aspera, O.P. took over as the new corporate president. Aspera's term was only for a few months. He was succeeded by certain Br. Maximiano Teofilo, who acted as administrator with the assistance of Dominican sisters headed by Sr. Rosario Mascarinas and Medical Director Dr. Jose Zantua. Later Sr. Mascarinas was appointed OIC of the hospital.
The succeeding years were but characterized by the expansion of the hospital, purchasing of new and modern facilities, as well as continuation of the community medical services. Series of changes in the management has since transpired. From Fr. Joseph Raquid O.P to the administration of Fr. Jesse Lorete, O.P. then turned it over to Fr. Rafael Lusuegro, O.P. who served for seven years. He was ensued by Fr. Guesler Roquero O.P. and later by Fr. Senen R. Ecleo O.P., Dr. Joselito Rustia is the medical director from the term of Fr. Raquid to this date. At present, Dr. Rustia is also functioning as the hospital administrator. Fr. Ramonclaro G. Mendez, O.P. is the president of the said institution.
