Dr. Ma. Nessa Gelvosa from Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippines

▲ Professor Jae Yong Jeon and Dr. Ma. Nessa Gelvosa

Introduction

I am Ma. Nessa Gelvosa, a physiatrist from the Philippines. I practiced Rehabilitation Medicine back home for two years before I came to Korea. I am currently an international visiting doctor at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of AMC, a researcher at the Lymphedema Disease Laboratory, as well as a graduate student at the University of Ulsan.

What made you decide to come to Korea and AMC

I first came to AMC last year for the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine’s International Fellowship. For two months, I learned about cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema management under the mentorship of Professor Jae Yong Jeon, who also gave me the opportunity to come back for two more years and pursue my master’s degree. This was a rare chance, and I knew there was still a lot to learn in cancer rehabilitation, so I grabbed it. My training at present is focused on research, both basic and clinical. I also attend department and multidisciplinary conferences. I am truly grateful to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine for organizing a regular EMG conference in English to foster more interactions with foreign visiting doctors.

What was your first impression of AMC? Has it changed? If changed, how?

Due to AMC’s prestigious global reputation, and the fact that it is the largest medical institution in Korea, I had high expectations before coming here. Indeed, I was not disappointed. AMC offers the best medical care using advanced techniques, provides excellent training to medical professionals, and contributes to the advancement of medicine through cutting-edge research.  

Would you recommend AMC to your colleagues or to your patients?

Absolutely! Training and patient care in AMC are truly world class.

What is your life outside the hospital like?

COVID-19 has greatly changed our lives. Before the pandemic, I usually spent weekends with other Filipino doctors. We would go to church, explore new places, go shopping, and try out different restaurants and cafes. Nowadays, I avoid going out as much as I can, especially to crowded places. Sometimes, I take a stroll or jog along the Han River or Olympic Park. 

What are the most different cultural things in Korea? Compared to your country? What is your favorite Korean food?

The Korean Wave has definitely hit the Philippines. We are big fans of K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and of course Korean food. My favorites are samgyeopsal, bibimbap, and kimchi jjigae. I recently tried jokbal with a Korean friend and added it to my list! It’s similar to a Filipino dish called “patatim” so it reminded me of home a lot.

Dining in Korea is quite different in the Philippines. Koreans usually have a lot of side dishes, while Filipinos just have one or two main dishes paired with dipping sauce. Instead of chopsticks, we use a spoon and fork. We also, traditionally, eat with our hands, which goes back to the 16^th century, prior to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Although using utensils is more common now, we still eat the old school way during feasts or celebrations, or just to enjoy the food more as some dishes taste better when eaten with hands. We also tend to savor our lunch breaks, bonding with friends over food. However, here people eat really fast!

While Confucianism guides the Korean culture, religion constitutes an important part of ours. Around 90% of Filipinos are Christians, mostly Catholics; hence our values and morals are influenced by our Christian faith. Nonetheless, both cultures share similarities such as close family ties and respect for elders. Koreans bow to greet elders, while Filipinos do the “mano” by pressing the forehead to the back of the elder’s hand. We use the words “po” and “opo” to show respect.

Share more about your personal stories

The Philippines is a beautiful country located south of Korea, about four hours away by air. It is an archipelago with more than 7,000 islands so you would not run out of places to visit. We have magnificent beaches, surfing and diving spots, hills, mountains, and volcanoes, heritage towns and bustling cities. I do hope our readers can visit the Philippines and experience the warm hospitality that we Filipinos are known for and take pride in.

Do you have plans to come back to Korea or AMC?

I’ve been here for only four months and still have more than a year to go. I believe I will always be open to the opportunity to come back to Korea or to continue collaborating with AMC when I go home to the Philippines.

Is there anything else you would like to say?  

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to AMC, the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine headed by Professor Dae-yul Kim and especially to my mentor Professor Jae-Yong Jeon for this incredible opportunity. Thank you very much to Asan Medical International and to our program manager Mr. Daniel Jung, who has been a great help to us foreign doctors since before we came here. I hope AMC continues to successfully train foreign physicians and thereby ultimately improve the health of people worldwide.

※ Many international physicians from diverse countries come to AMC to learn advanced medical skills. AMC trainees share their stories about AMC and Korea on 'Welcome to AMC.'