| Honorato "Nory" Fenol Nicodemus Washington, D.C. A Community Leader and a Recognized Academic Expert Physician to U.S. President and VIP's in the United States |
On being asked how he feels about being selected as one of the
twenty outstanding Filipino-Americans in US and Canada Dr.
Nicodemus went on to state: "At my present age, I do not need
big ego trips anymore. When I was younger, I could have used a
lot more ego trips. After each, I looked for bigger goals. My
greatest satisfaction and sense of accomplishment come from
the medical missions in the Philippines. We particularly helped
children from indigent families, especially those with hare lip, cleft
palate, disfiguring scars and other deformities correctable with
plastic surgery. A team effort, the missions give me the greatest
sense that I, we, have done something for humanity. This award
at least proves to my family, especially to my children, that dad
was not so full of gas after all. The recognition may give them an
impetus to do a similar thing that some day they too might be so
recognized and honored."
On December 29,1939, our honoree, Dr. Honorato F. Nicodemus
was born to Cosme Reyes Nicodemus and Matilde Anonuevo
Fenol in the town of Alfonso, Cavite, an upland town about 10
kilometers from the resort City of Tagaytay. Shortly afterwards the
couple, with their young son went to settle in Hagonoy, Bulacan,
Cosme's hometown. Sr. Cosme Nicodemus established a
twenty outstanding Filipino-Americans in US and Canada Dr.
Nicodemus went on to state: "At my present age, I do not need
big ego trips anymore. When I was younger, I could have used a
lot more ego trips. After each, I looked for bigger goals. My
greatest satisfaction and sense of accomplishment come from
the medical missions in the Philippines. We particularly helped
children from indigent families, especially those with hare lip, cleft
palate, disfiguring scars and other deformities correctable with
plastic surgery. A team effort, the missions give me the greatest
sense that I, we, have done something for humanity. This award
at least proves to my family, especially to my children, that dad
was not so full of gas after all. The recognition may give them an
impetus to do a similar thing that some day they too might be so
recognized and honored."
On December 29,1939, our honoree, Dr. Honorato F. Nicodemus
was born to Cosme Reyes Nicodemus and Matilde Anonuevo
Fenol in the town of Alfonso, Cavite, an upland town about 10
kilometers from the resort City of Tagaytay. Shortly afterwards the
couple, with their young son went to settle in Hagonoy, Bulacan,
Cosme's hometown. Sr. Cosme Nicodemus established a
dental clinic, while Matilde became a substitute teacher in Hagonoy only to find themselves in the middle of
World War II. With the war on, dental practice deteriorated to a mere trickle. Food became scarce and even if
one had money, rice was often unavailable as the Japanese conquerors had confiscated most of the whole
of Central Luzon. The little rice "NARIC" rationed was barely enough to last for a week. Mixed with corn or
kamote or even coconut, Matilde could make the rice last till the next ration day. Very few people could afford
dental care during those times so Cosme joined a group, contracting and harvesting the fish from fishpond
around the town of Hagonoy. Though the business could have been lucrative, the group lacked capital. He
could barely make ends meet even with Matilde's salary as a school teacher.
Close to the end of the war, Nory (Honorato's nickname) started his education. He had his exposure to the
coming of the American soldiers who responded to the children's shout of "Hello Joe, Victory Joe," by treating
them with candies and other contents of the military ration. Stories about America intrigued Nory to no end.
Shortly after the war, during the summer of 1946, the Nicodemuses moved back to Alfonso, Cavite where Nory
completed his elementary and high school education. Though above average in intelligence, there was
nothing noteworthy about Nory's education except to mention that he was always the youngest and smallest in
his class. In 1954, he graduated from the town's school, the Cavite Highland Institute, with an honorable
mention, however, when the results of the test given by the Bureau of Private Schools were sent in, the school
noted that Nory had the highest score.
At the age of fifteen, Nory started preparatory in, our honoree, Dr. Honorato F. Nicodemus was born to Cosme
Reyes Nicodemus and Matilde Anonuevo Fenol in the town of Alfonso, Cavite, an upland town about 10
kilometers from the resort City of Tagaytay. Shortly afterwards the couple, with their young son went to settle in
Hagonoy, Bulacan, Cosme's hometown. Dr. Cosme Nicodemus established a dental clinic, while Matilde
became a substitute teacher in Hagonoy only to find themselves in the middle of World War II. With the war
on, dental practice deteriorated to a mere trickle. Food became scarce and even if one had money, rice was
often unavailable as the Japanese conquerors had confiscated most of the whole of Central Luzon. The little
rice "NARIC" rationed was barely enough to last for a week. Mixed with corn or kamote or even coconut,
Matilde could make the rice last till the next ration day. Very few people could afford dental care during those
times so Cosme joined a group, contracting and harvesting the fish from fishpond around the town of Haonoy.
Though the business could have been lucrative, the group lacked capital. He could barely make ends meet
even with Matilde's salary as a school teacher.
Close to the end of the war, Nory (Honorato's nickname) started his education. He had his exposure to the
coming of the American soldiers who responded to the children's shout of "Hello Joe, Victory Joe," by treating
them with candies and other contents of the military ration. Stories about America intrigued Nory to no end.
Shortly after the war, during the summer of 1946, the Nicodemuses moved back to Alfonso, Cavite where Nory
completed his elementary and high school education. Though above average in intelligence, there was
nothing noteworthy about Nory's education except to mention that he was always the youngest and smallest in
his class. In 1954, he graduated from the town's school, the Cavite Highland Institute, with an honorable
mention, however, when the results of the test given by the Bureau of Private Schools were sent in, the school
noted that Nory had the highest score.
At the age of fifteen, Nory started preparatory medicine in the University of the Philippines in Diliman,
Quezon City. As a young provinciano, he could not cope with the loneliness of being away from parents and
friends for the first time. Though surrounded by Ilocanos in the dormitory, Nory the cardiovascular system.
His research work resulted in publications in medical journals and a book chapter as well. Recognized as an
authority, he was invited to speak on the effects of drugs used for resuscitation from extreme hypothermia in
an international symposium held at the University of Rhode Island. He also gave a presentation on the effects
of very high pressure on spinal anesthesia at the European Congress on Hyperbaric Medicine held in Athens,
Greece. Dr. Nicodemus participated in numerous discussions involving delivery of anesthesia care in
combat and in civilian mass casualties including a presentation at the Maryland Trauma Center in Baltimore.
In 1979, he was selected to head the Department of Anesthesia in the National Naval Medical Center in
Bethesda, Maryland, the Navy's premier teaching hospital. As the leading anesthesiologist in the Navy, he
served as consultant to the Navy Surgeon General on matters that concerned anesthesia care. It was a
position he would hold for eight years and a job that also made him responsible for assigning all
anesthesiologists to all naval hospitals.
When President Reagan was shot in the chest as he came out of Washington Hilton, the closest hospital was
the George Washington University Medical Center where he was taken for the emergency operation. Dr.
Nicodemus was in direct consultation with the anesthesia department while President Reagan was being
operated on. Cleared for military and government secrets, he was also the anesthesiologist for President
Reagan's operation for cancer of the colon and during his operation on the prostate.
During his tour of duty at the Naval National Medical Center, he had a whole gamut of ranking military and
government officials and other prominent people as patients. Among them were wives of presidents (Mrs.
Carter, Bush and Reagan), senators and congressman and their families, and ambassadors from various
countries. Asked to appraise his work as department head, he alluded that the position is a very prominent
one, much like working in a fish bowl where the media and every influential person in Washington, DC has a
thing or two to say, generally one of criticism.
Dr. Nicodemus did not receive full recognition during the time that Pres. Reagan was operated on as he had
to stay with the president in the recovery room while everyone went on to the press conference. The bigger
accomplishment he thought was his introduction to the world of the use of intraspinal morphine as a method
of pain relief which up to that time, had only been used as a research tool in a few medical centers. He
deemed this method (intrathecal morphine) the most appropriate one to use on the president who
necessarily had to be conscious, mostly pain free and in control of the reins of government at all times. The
president was waving to reporters and comfortable on the third day after his operation. From then on,
intrathecal morphine and variations of its applications became a standard method of pain relief after an
operation.
Since 1985, he had been involved with medical missions in the Philippines and in Kenya with Operation
Smile International and during the last four years with the Phil-American Group of Educators and Surgeons
(PAGES) through Operation Hope (Help Other People Excel). Their missions involve plastic and
reconstructive surgery in children with hare lips, cleft palates and burns as these are the most cost effective
way of spending health dollars in the Philippines. PAGES (also headed by Ben Rigor, MD, a TOFA awardeee)
also donated medical equipment to various hospitals in the Philippines. Dr. Nicodemus is personally
responsible for ten anesthesia machines donated in Manila, Cebu, Masbate, Cavite, San Pablo and other
charity hospitals. PAGES is not limited and plastic surgery. He encouraged researched that has resulted in a
publication in an international journal and a presentation by a Filipino resident in an international meeting as
well as a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. His activities as a
teacher had been duly recognized by the Association of Philippine Physicians in America earning him their
highest ward, the Apolinario Mabini Award for academic excellence.
After a successful, twenty year career in the US Navy, Dr. Nicodemus retired as a Captain in the Medical Corps
on Friday, Sept. 30,1989. The following Monday, he started a second career at the Georgetown University
Medical Center where he now holds the rank of full professor. He continues his yearly medical missions and
is a co-founder of the Cranio-Facial center at San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital in San Juan Metro Manila.
He is active in medical politics having served as president of the Philippine Medical association of
Metropolitan Washington DC, an officer of the DC-Maryland Society of Anesthesiologists and vice president of
the Phil. Medical Foundation.
Dr. Nicodemus is well known in the anesthesia community on a local and national level. He served also as a
professor of anesthesia at the Uniformed Services University (which awarded him a Distinguish Service
medal on his retirement) and has also presented numerous papers at the national meetings of his specialty
society as well as meetings of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America. He had his share of
media limelight having been mentioned in a lead article in Newsweek magazine, featured in an article by
Rodel Rodis in Philippine News, mentioned in Parade magazine, his name included in the congressional
records, featured in Naval Hospital Newsletter, quoted in Atlanta Journal-Constitution and many others and
several TV interviews in the Philippine Independence Centennial Celebration Committee. Who's Who in the
East has seen it fit to include his name in its latest edition.
Dr. Nicodemus has three children: Lisa, Hector and Hank and a grandson named Thomas. #
World War II. With the war on, dental practice deteriorated to a mere trickle. Food became scarce and even if
one had money, rice was often unavailable as the Japanese conquerors had confiscated most of the whole
of Central Luzon. The little rice "NARIC" rationed was barely enough to last for a week. Mixed with corn or
kamote or even coconut, Matilde could make the rice last till the next ration day. Very few people could afford
dental care during those times so Cosme joined a group, contracting and harvesting the fish from fishpond
around the town of Hagonoy. Though the business could have been lucrative, the group lacked capital. He
could barely make ends meet even with Matilde's salary as a school teacher.
Close to the end of the war, Nory (Honorato's nickname) started his education. He had his exposure to the
coming of the American soldiers who responded to the children's shout of "Hello Joe, Victory Joe," by treating
them with candies and other contents of the military ration. Stories about America intrigued Nory to no end.
Shortly after the war, during the summer of 1946, the Nicodemuses moved back to Alfonso, Cavite where Nory
completed his elementary and high school education. Though above average in intelligence, there was
nothing noteworthy about Nory's education except to mention that he was always the youngest and smallest in
his class. In 1954, he graduated from the town's school, the Cavite Highland Institute, with an honorable
mention, however, when the results of the test given by the Bureau of Private Schools were sent in, the school
noted that Nory had the highest score.
At the age of fifteen, Nory started preparatory in, our honoree, Dr. Honorato F. Nicodemus was born to Cosme
Reyes Nicodemus and Matilde Anonuevo Fenol in the town of Alfonso, Cavite, an upland town about 10
kilometers from the resort City of Tagaytay. Shortly afterwards the couple, with their young son went to settle in
Hagonoy, Bulacan, Cosme's hometown. Dr. Cosme Nicodemus established a dental clinic, while Matilde
became a substitute teacher in Hagonoy only to find themselves in the middle of World War II. With the war
on, dental practice deteriorated to a mere trickle. Food became scarce and even if one had money, rice was
often unavailable as the Japanese conquerors had confiscated most of the whole of Central Luzon. The little
rice "NARIC" rationed was barely enough to last for a week. Mixed with corn or kamote or even coconut,
Matilde could make the rice last till the next ration day. Very few people could afford dental care during those
times so Cosme joined a group, contracting and harvesting the fish from fishpond around the town of Haonoy.
Though the business could have been lucrative, the group lacked capital. He could barely make ends meet
even with Matilde's salary as a school teacher.
Close to the end of the war, Nory (Honorato's nickname) started his education. He had his exposure to the
coming of the American soldiers who responded to the children's shout of "Hello Joe, Victory Joe," by treating
them with candies and other contents of the military ration. Stories about America intrigued Nory to no end.
Shortly after the war, during the summer of 1946, the Nicodemuses moved back to Alfonso, Cavite where Nory
completed his elementary and high school education. Though above average in intelligence, there was
nothing noteworthy about Nory's education except to mention that he was always the youngest and smallest in
his class. In 1954, he graduated from the town's school, the Cavite Highland Institute, with an honorable
mention, however, when the results of the test given by the Bureau of Private Schools were sent in, the school
noted that Nory had the highest score.
At the age of fifteen, Nory started preparatory medicine in the University of the Philippines in Diliman,
Quezon City. As a young provinciano, he could not cope with the loneliness of being away from parents and
friends for the first time. Though surrounded by Ilocanos in the dormitory, Nory the cardiovascular system.
His research work resulted in publications in medical journals and a book chapter as well. Recognized as an
authority, he was invited to speak on the effects of drugs used for resuscitation from extreme hypothermia in
an international symposium held at the University of Rhode Island. He also gave a presentation on the effects
of very high pressure on spinal anesthesia at the European Congress on Hyperbaric Medicine held in Athens,
Greece. Dr. Nicodemus participated in numerous discussions involving delivery of anesthesia care in
combat and in civilian mass casualties including a presentation at the Maryland Trauma Center in Baltimore.
In 1979, he was selected to head the Department of Anesthesia in the National Naval Medical Center in
Bethesda, Maryland, the Navy's premier teaching hospital. As the leading anesthesiologist in the Navy, he
served as consultant to the Navy Surgeon General on matters that concerned anesthesia care. It was a
position he would hold for eight years and a job that also made him responsible for assigning all
anesthesiologists to all naval hospitals.
When President Reagan was shot in the chest as he came out of Washington Hilton, the closest hospital was
the George Washington University Medical Center where he was taken for the emergency operation. Dr.
Nicodemus was in direct consultation with the anesthesia department while President Reagan was being
operated on. Cleared for military and government secrets, he was also the anesthesiologist for President
Reagan's operation for cancer of the colon and during his operation on the prostate.
During his tour of duty at the Naval National Medical Center, he had a whole gamut of ranking military and
government officials and other prominent people as patients. Among them were wives of presidents (Mrs.
Carter, Bush and Reagan), senators and congressman and their families, and ambassadors from various
countries. Asked to appraise his work as department head, he alluded that the position is a very prominent
one, much like working in a fish bowl where the media and every influential person in Washington, DC has a
thing or two to say, generally one of criticism.
Dr. Nicodemus did not receive full recognition during the time that Pres. Reagan was operated on as he had
to stay with the president in the recovery room while everyone went on to the press conference. The bigger
accomplishment he thought was his introduction to the world of the use of intraspinal morphine as a method
of pain relief which up to that time, had only been used as a research tool in a few medical centers. He
deemed this method (intrathecal morphine) the most appropriate one to use on the president who
necessarily had to be conscious, mostly pain free and in control of the reins of government at all times. The
president was waving to reporters and comfortable on the third day after his operation. From then on,
intrathecal morphine and variations of its applications became a standard method of pain relief after an
operation.
Since 1985, he had been involved with medical missions in the Philippines and in Kenya with Operation
Smile International and during the last four years with the Phil-American Group of Educators and Surgeons
(PAGES) through Operation Hope (Help Other People Excel). Their missions involve plastic and
reconstructive surgery in children with hare lips, cleft palates and burns as these are the most cost effective
way of spending health dollars in the Philippines. PAGES (also headed by Ben Rigor, MD, a TOFA awardeee)
also donated medical equipment to various hospitals in the Philippines. Dr. Nicodemus is personally
responsible for ten anesthesia machines donated in Manila, Cebu, Masbate, Cavite, San Pablo and other
charity hospitals. PAGES is not limited and plastic surgery. He encouraged researched that has resulted in a
publication in an international journal and a presentation by a Filipino resident in an international meeting as
well as a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. His activities as a
teacher had been duly recognized by the Association of Philippine Physicians in America earning him their
highest ward, the Apolinario Mabini Award for academic excellence.
After a successful, twenty year career in the US Navy, Dr. Nicodemus retired as a Captain in the Medical Corps
on Friday, Sept. 30,1989. The following Monday, he started a second career at the Georgetown University
Medical Center where he now holds the rank of full professor. He continues his yearly medical missions and
is a co-founder of the Cranio-Facial center at San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital in San Juan Metro Manila.
He is active in medical politics having served as president of the Philippine Medical association of
Metropolitan Washington DC, an officer of the DC-Maryland Society of Anesthesiologists and vice president of
the Phil. Medical Foundation.
Dr. Nicodemus is well known in the anesthesia community on a local and national level. He served also as a
professor of anesthesia at the Uniformed Services University (which awarded him a Distinguish Service
medal on his retirement) and has also presented numerous papers at the national meetings of his specialty
society as well as meetings of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America. He had his share of
media limelight having been mentioned in a lead article in Newsweek magazine, featured in an article by
Rodel Rodis in Philippine News, mentioned in Parade magazine, his name included in the congressional
records, featured in Naval Hospital Newsletter, quoted in Atlanta Journal-Constitution and many others and
several TV interviews in the Philippine Independence Centennial Celebration Committee. Who's Who in the
East has seen it fit to include his name in its latest edition.
Dr. Nicodemus has three children: Lisa, Hector and Hank and a grandson named Thomas. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |