The Provincial Government of Cagayan held its prestigious “Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano 2021 Awards” last 29 June 2021 through a virtual ceremony. Highlighted here was Gintong Medalya awardee, Dr. Esther Susan N. Perez-Mari, an alumna of Our Lady of Fatima University’s College of Medicine (OLFU-CoM).
Dr. Perez-Mari is currently the first woman president of the University of Cagayan Valley (UCV), a post she had transitioned to after many fruitful years as a physician scientist in the United States. Her decision to return to her native and beloved Cagayan was inspired by her father’s passion for education, having been a past UCV president himself. Dr. Perez-Mari was also spurred on by a desire to continue the legacy of her grandparents who had established the school.
Beginning her educational journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, Dr. Perez-Mari then completed her medical degree at OLFU’s College of Medicine. She then ventured abroad for a master’s degree in Forensic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education from North Central University. She has also been inducted to the Golden Key and Kappa Delta Phi International Honors Society for Academic Excellence.
During the awarding rites, OLFU’s two-time Distinguished Alumna Dr. Perez-Mari was hailed: “Her love for education has been bolstered by her love for science. She is a reputable physician scientist in the field of oncology and drug development and is a recipient of numerous awards internationally and in the Philippines for her groundbreaking work on immunotherapy and cancer researches.”
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Perez-Mari recounted, “In 1998, I was offered a career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, followed by various pharmaceutical companies as a physician scientist in oncology drug development. This provided me the exposure to phenomenal physician scientists from all over the world. Hence, I owe a debt of gratitude to all those who mentored and challenged me. I would also like to acknowledge my education in medicine at the Our Lady of Fatima University. Modesty aside, my experiences have proven that being a doctor knows no boundaries whatever, wherever and whoever you are.”
The Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano Awards began with a governor’s vision of honoring outstanding Cagayanos who have made not only an impact on the province, but have built a reputation of integrity, prowess and excellence on a national and international scope; with their efforts “contributing to the progress and development of communities and in nation-building.”
OLFU congratulates its alumna, Dr. Esther Susan N. Perez-Mari!
