| Hermie T. Villavecer, M.D. Westerville, Ohio A Super Community Leader • The Singing Doctor |
"A year after his graduation from the famous Far Eastern
University in Manila, Dr. Villavecer came to the United States in
pursuit of his career and for higher medical education. He began
his internship in 1963 at the Bristol Hospital, Bristol, Connecticut;
his residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Carmel Hospital,
Columbus, Ohio from1964 to1966. In 1967 he completed his
residency in Cardiology also at Mount Carmel. He received the
prestigious Fellowship in Cardiology from Institute of Cardiology
in the French-speaking Province of Quebec in Canada in 1967.
With fervor patriotism towards his birthplace, he went back to the
Philippines to serve his compatriots the following year. Sharing
his vast knowledge of modern and hi-tech medical training
gained when he was abroad, "Dr. V," as he is popularly known
among his friends and as he insists to be called, served the
Filipino people in the Philippines for two years. His private
practice was more like a community-oriented humanitarian
endeavor rather than a financial embarkation. Deciding to return
to the United States in 1971 after feeling "satisfied of fulfilling his
duty towards the Philippines" and in order to follow his desire "to
be financially independent and at the same time to be of service to
mankind," Dr. V joined, as a Staff Physician, the Suburban
Community Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
University in Manila, Dr. Villavecer came to the United States in
pursuit of his career and for higher medical education. He began
his internship in 1963 at the Bristol Hospital, Bristol, Connecticut;
his residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Carmel Hospital,
Columbus, Ohio from1964 to1966. In 1967 he completed his
residency in Cardiology also at Mount Carmel. He received the
prestigious Fellowship in Cardiology from Institute of Cardiology
in the French-speaking Province of Quebec in Canada in 1967.
With fervor patriotism towards his birthplace, he went back to the
Philippines to serve his compatriots the following year. Sharing
his vast knowledge of modern and hi-tech medical training
gained when he was abroad, "Dr. V," as he is popularly known
among his friends and as he insists to be called, served the
Filipino people in the Philippines for two years. His private
practice was more like a community-oriented humanitarian
endeavor rather than a financial embarkation. Deciding to return
to the United States in 1971 after feeling "satisfied of fulfilling his
duty towards the Philippines" and in order to follow his desire "to
be financially independent and at the same time to be of service to
mankind," Dr. V joined, as a Staff Physician, the Suburban
Community Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
True to his goals, since his arrival, he has successfully maintained his medical profession and has
consistently provided and participated in several humanitarian projects in his spare time. His thriving private
practice of internal medicine at Westerville Medical Center, specializing in geriatric medicine, is a showcase
of his goal. Patients are welcome regardless of their capabilities in paying for his services or pro bono. In
addition to his private practice, he served as Medical Director of the following: Columbus Colony for Elderly
Care, Edgewood Manor Nursing Home, Manor Care of Westerville, and Minerva Park Place. Dr. V has
physician staff privileges with St. Ann's Hospital since 1984, with Park Medical Center for the last four years,
and with Grant Medical Center since 1971.
When he returned to the United States, he envisioned to pursue his work, with a strong determination to make
a worthwhile contribution in the field of medicine and in the community as a Filipino. He knew that it was
going to be tough, and it will definitely be a hard start . Nonetheless, he went on and put his best effort at any
given occasion and opportunity. Dr. V embarked on projects that would enable him to achieve his goals and
enhanced his desire to provide humanitarian services without being paid for them. He joined medical
associations like the Franklin County Medical Society of Ohio; Ohio Medical Association; Ohio Society of
Internal Medicine; and the American Society of Internal Medicine.
For more than twenty years, he actively zeroed his energy with the Philippine American Society of Central Ohio
(PASCO) as the vehicle to provide humanitarian services to his people, the Filipinos. Serving his first year
with PASCO as a Board Member , he became its president in 1987 and held the distinction of an unprecented
two consecutive terms as president. Making several significant contributions to the community during his
term, he was able to set into programs wherein PASCO can react to assist victims of natural disasters in the
Philippines. He instilled to the Fil-Am youth the interests in the Martial Arts and introduced the Philippine
cultures worldwide by having the best cultural dancers perform and participate in the Columbus International
Festival. He provided musical entertainment to several PASCO affairs and celebrations, including those of the
Philippine Association of the Seniors of Columbus, Ohio. With "Dr. V's 1 Band," which he formed, he provided
danceable music to the Jose Rizal Ball in Cleveland and other events of the Tri-State Medical Association
and the Phil-American Nurses Association.
Looking back, this highly able achiever, claimed that it is not at all easy to be organizing programs and
projects. "It takes hard work, strong will, confidence, patience and the knowledge that one cannot possibly
be able to please all. There is always one or two in any given group who will always criticize no matter how
hard one tries to please every one," explained Dr. V.
Dr. H. T. Villacer, the super "can do" leader, is one of the three 1994 awardees of the Outstanding Filipinos in
North America from Ohio. "Dr. Villavecer is an achiever that must be recognized immediately for his more than
two decades of services highlighting positive Filipino image," claimed Dr. Vic Vitug, the popular honorary
consul general of the Republic of the Philippines in Cleveland. And, FIL-AM IMAGE couldn't agree more.
Kudos to Dr. V.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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