On March 19, 2021, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) reported that 1,234 out of 1,927 passed the Physician Licensure Examination facilitated by the Board of Medicine.
Among examinees who successfully notched the 10 highest places in the March 2021 Physician Licensure Examination was Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) student, Dr. Vanda Charrise Costillas Dejolde who garnered sixth place with an average rating of 87.17%
Dr. Dejolde hails from the city of Butuan, Agusan del Norte. Before entering AUP College of Medicine, she took her BS in Biology at Father Saturnino Urios University in 2015. She took her post-graduate medical internship at Batangas Medical Center.
A total of 15 AUP College of Medicine graduates passed the Philippine Licensure Examination which is a 93% passing rate.
The results were released three working days after the examination.
Dejolde’s childhood dream was far from becoming a medical practitioner. In her early years, she desired to become a Biology teacher. She wanted to use Science as an opportunity to introduce God’s power through His creation. Her childhood dream took a turn after reading Ellen G White's book, Education. Dejolde right then resolved to become a medical missionary for the Lord.
Like most exam takers, Dejolde deemed this test as one of the most difficult feats she had to overcome to achieve her goal. In a written statement, Dejolde expressed how reliance on God made a difference to those who made God their stronghold during the examination.
“You have to rely on God a hundred percent. No more, no less,” Dejolde said. “I know our faith waivers sometimes but let us always pray to God. Never let go of His hands…,” Dejolde added.
When asked about her plans after getting her license, Dejolde said that she wanted to give back to her university and help those aspiring physicians who will be taking the examinations in the future.
“Achieving your goal without a spiritual relationship with Christ is pointless,” Dejolde stressed, adding that as Christians, the ultimate reason for doing anything is Christ.
In recent years, Adventist health professionals in the Philippines have established an identity of excellence. This allowed the church to advance its unique health message from the perspective of healthcare.
“Adventist Education stands out because each student is taught to view every aspect of their course from the Philosophic perspective of the scripture. They believe that their function, their dietary needs, mental attitudes, and care for their body -- as body temple should glorify their master and creator. They are also motivated to carry on with their studies and finish their course so that they can represent Christ as a Five star plus Physician missionary,” Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso said, Health Ministries director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
Edward Rodriguez, Southern Asia-Pacific Division Communication Department