| Dr. Reynaldo L. Lee-Llacer Maryland PRESIDENT, STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF MARYLAND A dedicated leader spearheading the Filipino-American professionals |
Reynaldo L. Lee-Llacer, M.D. exemplifies what sociologists call
"Organization Man." He firmly believes that the best way to get
things done is through organizations. Through such frameworks,
he is convinced that particular demands and grievances get a
hearing, gain access to decision-making processes and power
centers, and thus, have the capacity of affecting, policies and
programs.
Dr. Lee-Llacer, on closer analysis, is talking about
Representation and Participation which are necessary for
Empowerment. For Filipino-American doctors in this country, an
ethnic group, this notion of his has a critical implication. Formerly
referred to as foreign medical graduates like their counterparts
from other parts of the world but are now referred to as
international doctors, Filipino-American doctors, according to Dr.
Lee-Llacer, are a “voice in the wilderness. . .”, “remaining in the
fringes. . .”unless they “reach towards the mainstream of medical
practice.” Like other international doctors, Filipino-American
doctors are in a minority position, functioning under conditions of
discriminatory practices, some of them enshrined in the laws of
this land. The doctor argues that “we cannot survive by
ourselves”, that to stand equal to their majority counterparts,
"Organization Man." He firmly believes that the best way to get
things done is through organizations. Through such frameworks,
he is convinced that particular demands and grievances get a
hearing, gain access to decision-making processes and power
centers, and thus, have the capacity of affecting, policies and
programs.
Dr. Lee-Llacer, on closer analysis, is talking about
Representation and Participation which are necessary for
Empowerment. For Filipino-American doctors in this country, an
ethnic group, this notion of his has a critical implication. Formerly
referred to as foreign medical graduates like their counterparts
from other parts of the world but are now referred to as
international doctors, Filipino-American doctors, according to Dr.
Lee-Llacer, are a “voice in the wilderness. . .”, “remaining in the
fringes. . .”unless they “reach towards the mainstream of medical
practice.” Like other international doctors, Filipino-American
doctors are in a minority position, functioning under conditions of
discriminatory practices, some of them enshrined in the laws of
this land. The doctor argues that “we cannot survive by
ourselves”, that to stand equal to their majority counterparts,
Filipino-American doctors should form coalitions, either individually or collectively through their own Fil-Am
associations such as the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA) and Philippine Medical
Association chapters in the United States. Reaching towards the mainstream of medical practice must
include establishing relationships with American as well as international medical associations such as the
American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of International Physicians (ACIP).The APPA,
of which the doctor is Vice-President, is a member of the ACIP.
In more specific terms, Dr. Lee-Llacer contends that to have the opportunity to influence American medicine,
Fil-Am doctors, and other international doctors, must become active members of medical societies at both
county and state levels. He, indeed, practices what he preaches. Currently President of the Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland (State Medical Society of Maryland), he started out being active at
the county level before getting this position. He served in the Executive Board and the Ethics and Grievance
Committee of the Prince George’s County Medical Society in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Then, he
became its Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Society and continued to play active roles after his
presidency by serving as chairman of various committees.
Moving to the state-level, Dr. Lee-Llacer first served as delegate to the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the
State of Maryland in 1984. Then Third Vice President, Second VP, Council Vice Chairman, and then Council
Chairman while serving as a member of the Executive Committee and Policy and Planning Committees. He
was elected for the year 1990-91 as the Presidency of the State Society of Maryland and at the same time, he
was chosen Vice-President of the APPA.
Well aware of the concerns of Fil-Am doctors over the years, he has sought to advance their interests by
actively participating in Fil-Am medical associations. In 1982, he was President of the Philippine Medical
Association of Metro Washington, D.C. For seven years, from 1983, he served in APPA’s Board of Governor
and was APPA’s Vice President in 1986-1987.
When asked priority items in his APPA agenda, the doctor cited two related measures.”The first is
recognizing the need into the mainstream of medical practice. The second item is a corollary; it defines the
specific processes by which articulation and representation of ethnic minority concerns can be effectively
channelled and handled,” articulated Dr. Lee-Llacer. “I’m also certain that measures must be adopted to
address concern towards the Capitol where the laws of this land are enacted. I strongly advocate the
strengthening of the Philippine Physicians Political Action Committee.”
Since APPA represents the biggest association of Fil-Am doctors, it may be natural to expect a significant role
in promoting health back home in the Philippines. APPA’s projects toward this end, which are undertaken in
cooperation with PMAs and other Fil-Am doctors’ groups, include medical missions, the Medical Post
Graduate Institute and the Educational Research Foundation. Dr. Lee-Llacer’s grandfather was a pure-
blooded Chinese and a Buddhist who fell in love with a catholic Filipina. To marry her, his grandfather was
required to change religion, be baptized, have a catholic godparent, and adopt a Christian name. He did all
these, taking his godparent’s name, Llacer. His grandson, Reynaldo, however, had been using only the Lee
name without Llacer but after high school, Dr. Lee-Llacer, incorporated the name Llacer.
The doctor came from Ticao, located on the tip of Masbate where several dialects are spoken: “ Waray-Waray
type of Bicolano - Cebuano and Ilongo,” as the doctor labels it. His father, Manuel, was a lawyer; his mother,
Soledad, from Sorsogon, took care of young Reynaldo and his sister who now lives in San Fernando,
Masbate.
Dr. Lee-Llacer is an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He received
his Diplomate from the American Board of Surgery in 1969 and has been a Fellow at the American College of
Surgeons, the Southeastern Surgical Congress and the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons.
The doctor is 57, but looks younger. He is tall and trim. He is married to Zoraida Meneses-Llacer from Manila.
Dr. Zoraida came to the U.S. with her husband and now serves as Director of the Intensive Care Unit of the
Doctors Hospital in Prince Georges county. They have 5 children: Manuel, 26, who will finish Accountancy and
manages the family business L & L Oxygen and Medical Services, Inc.; Reynaldo II, 21, who is studying Bio
Psychology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore; Ceryl Ann, 22, who is pursuing Economics, French and
Spanish also at the UM; Carl, 17, who is President of the Student Council at Georgetown Prep and is
Defensive Tackle in the football team; and, Jason, 15, who is a sophomore in the same school.
With all the successes here, Dr. Lee-Llacer says: “I long for home in the Philippines, a longing that does not
go away.” He plans to shuttle later on. “Going home and visiting my children here. and continue to practice
medicine in Ticao as help for the people and as a hobby. My year-long stint as Ticao’s Municipal Health
Officer before I came to America brings wonderful memories.” #
associations such as the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA) and Philippine Medical
Association chapters in the United States. Reaching towards the mainstream of medical practice must
include establishing relationships with American as well as international medical associations such as the
American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of International Physicians (ACIP).The APPA,
of which the doctor is Vice-President, is a member of the ACIP.
In more specific terms, Dr. Lee-Llacer contends that to have the opportunity to influence American medicine,
Fil-Am doctors, and other international doctors, must become active members of medical societies at both
county and state levels. He, indeed, practices what he preaches. Currently President of the Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland (State Medical Society of Maryland), he started out being active at
the county level before getting this position. He served in the Executive Board and the Ethics and Grievance
Committee of the Prince George’s County Medical Society in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Then, he
became its Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Society and continued to play active roles after his
presidency by serving as chairman of various committees.
Moving to the state-level, Dr. Lee-Llacer first served as delegate to the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the
State of Maryland in 1984. Then Third Vice President, Second VP, Council Vice Chairman, and then Council
Chairman while serving as a member of the Executive Committee and Policy and Planning Committees. He
was elected for the year 1990-91 as the Presidency of the State Society of Maryland and at the same time, he
was chosen Vice-President of the APPA.
Well aware of the concerns of Fil-Am doctors over the years, he has sought to advance their interests by
actively participating in Fil-Am medical associations. In 1982, he was President of the Philippine Medical
Association of Metro Washington, D.C. For seven years, from 1983, he served in APPA’s Board of Governor
and was APPA’s Vice President in 1986-1987.
When asked priority items in his APPA agenda, the doctor cited two related measures.”The first is
recognizing the need into the mainstream of medical practice. The second item is a corollary; it defines the
specific processes by which articulation and representation of ethnic minority concerns can be effectively
channelled and handled,” articulated Dr. Lee-Llacer. “I’m also certain that measures must be adopted to
address concern towards the Capitol where the laws of this land are enacted. I strongly advocate the
strengthening of the Philippine Physicians Political Action Committee.”
Since APPA represents the biggest association of Fil-Am doctors, it may be natural to expect a significant role
in promoting health back home in the Philippines. APPA’s projects toward this end, which are undertaken in
cooperation with PMAs and other Fil-Am doctors’ groups, include medical missions, the Medical Post
Graduate Institute and the Educational Research Foundation. Dr. Lee-Llacer’s grandfather was a pure-
blooded Chinese and a Buddhist who fell in love with a catholic Filipina. To marry her, his grandfather was
required to change religion, be baptized, have a catholic godparent, and adopt a Christian name. He did all
these, taking his godparent’s name, Llacer. His grandson, Reynaldo, however, had been using only the Lee
name without Llacer but after high school, Dr. Lee-Llacer, incorporated the name Llacer.
The doctor came from Ticao, located on the tip of Masbate where several dialects are spoken: “ Waray-Waray
type of Bicolano - Cebuano and Ilongo,” as the doctor labels it. His father, Manuel, was a lawyer; his mother,
Soledad, from Sorsogon, took care of young Reynaldo and his sister who now lives in San Fernando,
Masbate.
Dr. Lee-Llacer is an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He received
his Diplomate from the American Board of Surgery in 1969 and has been a Fellow at the American College of
Surgeons, the Southeastern Surgical Congress and the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons.
The doctor is 57, but looks younger. He is tall and trim. He is married to Zoraida Meneses-Llacer from Manila.
Dr. Zoraida came to the U.S. with her husband and now serves as Director of the Intensive Care Unit of the
Doctors Hospital in Prince Georges county. They have 5 children: Manuel, 26, who will finish Accountancy and
manages the family business L & L Oxygen and Medical Services, Inc.; Reynaldo II, 21, who is studying Bio
Psychology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore; Ceryl Ann, 22, who is pursuing Economics, French and
Spanish also at the UM; Carl, 17, who is President of the Student Council at Georgetown Prep and is
Defensive Tackle in the football team; and, Jason, 15, who is a sophomore in the same school.
With all the successes here, Dr. Lee-Llacer says: “I long for home in the Philippines, a longing that does not
go away.” He plans to shuttle later on. “Going home and visiting my children here. and continue to practice
medicine in Ticao as help for the people and as a hobby. My year-long stint as Ticao’s Municipal Health
Officer before I came to America brings wonderful memories.” #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |