| Alfonso C. Nillas, M.D. Brooklyn, New York Compassionate and Dynamic Civic Leader |
The song “New York, New York” aptly describes the personality of
Alfonso “Al” C. Nillas ..... “if you can make it there... you can
make it anywhere... it’s up to you... New York... New York!” In all
aspect, Al Nillas is an OK Guy. A cowboy. A ‘pare’ - erap. A
man of all seasons. These and many more attributes are
usually how friends, and even new acquaintances, will describe
Al Nillas.
But the needy citizens of New York and its vast nearby suburbs,
more specially those that need medical treatment and medicines,
simply know Al Nillas as: doc, my friend. A compassionate
physician who performs “pro bono” medical services to
indigent patients the same way he would treat paying patients.
Just recently after providing medical services in Brooklyn, New
York since 1964, Al opted to slow down in preparation for a well-
deserved retirement from his private practice. He gave up his
chairmanship, but remains as director of the Free Health Clinic
program.
Once a week, literally hundreds of poor people, barely comprising
less than 2% Filipinos, line up for free medical checkup, medical
treatment and sometimes, even free medicines. “I will miss their
Alfonso “Al” C. Nillas ..... “if you can make it there... you can
make it anywhere... it’s up to you... New York... New York!” In all
aspect, Al Nillas is an OK Guy. A cowboy. A ‘pare’ - erap. A
man of all seasons. These and many more attributes are
usually how friends, and even new acquaintances, will describe
Al Nillas.
But the needy citizens of New York and its vast nearby suburbs,
more specially those that need medical treatment and medicines,
simply know Al Nillas as: doc, my friend. A compassionate
physician who performs “pro bono” medical services to
indigent patients the same way he would treat paying patients.
Just recently after providing medical services in Brooklyn, New
York since 1964, Al opted to slow down in preparation for a well-
deserved retirement from his private practice. He gave up his
chairmanship, but remains as director of the Free Health Clinic
program.
Once a week, literally hundreds of poor people, barely comprising
less than 2% Filipinos, line up for free medical checkup, medical
treatment and sometimes, even free medicines. “I will miss their
smiling faces when I retire completely from my practice,” confessed Al.
“It will not be surprising if one of these days, Al Nillas runs for mayor of Brooklyn and wins it,” remarked one
of his friends from Brooklyn. “Every one seems to know him especially the good deeds he has extended to
the poor and needy.”
Last summer, Al’s compassionate nature is quite evident when he was practically “forced” to seek the
position of Vice President of APPA (Association of Philippine Physicians in America), the largest and most
influential professional group outside of the Philippines. Al was more worried about his opponent’s feelings
than his own. He won the election by more than four fold. However, his acceptance speech (which he was
planning to deliver) almost contained an endorsement sounding speech in favor of his opponent but was
prevailed upon by other APPA members to revise his speech.
Close APPA associates want to groom Al Nillas to be APPA President-Elect next year, 2000. “Al Nillas is
what APPA needs. He can be a strong unifying force in strengthening and restructuring APPA,” remarked
one of former APPA presidents. Al has served APPA for more than fifteen years in various important positions
including Governor from New York in 1994 to 1998, Member of the House of Delegates for more than 12
years, co-chairman of Awards Committee, Constitution and By-Laws Committee, Budget and Finance
Committee.
He served in various national and statewide groups as past president of the prestigious Philippine Medical
Association in America of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut; vice president of the Silliman University
Alumni Association; Board Member of the Philippine Pediatric Society in America; Board Member of the
Association of the Philippine Physicians in New York; Board Member of Iloilo Society in America; Chairman of
Cebu Institute of Medicine Alumni; Board Member Philippine American Community of Staten Island, N.Y..;
Board Member of PEACE; Chairman and Medical Director of the Free Health Clinic; Vice President of
Barangay Sang Birhin Association; Board Member of the Empire City Medical Lions of Staten Island.
Al was born in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. He graduated from Negros Oriental Province High School. He
received his Medical Degree from Siliman University in 1958 and came to the United States in 1964 to pursue
further medical education, specialty training and graduate studies in medicines. Al Nillas is married to the
former Luisita “Loi” Sumaylo Nillas of San Jose, Negros Oriental. Loi was a former national president of
APPA Auxiliary. She was named as one of the 1993-1994 Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the
United States and Canada. The Nillas have two children Michael Nillas, M.D,, M.S., M.P.H., and Alfonso
Nillas, Jr. editor of World Health Organization in New York City. (NM)
“It will not be surprising if one of these days, Al Nillas runs for mayor of Brooklyn and wins it,” remarked one
of his friends from Brooklyn. “Every one seems to know him especially the good deeds he has extended to
the poor and needy.”
Last summer, Al’s compassionate nature is quite evident when he was practically “forced” to seek the
position of Vice President of APPA (Association of Philippine Physicians in America), the largest and most
influential professional group outside of the Philippines. Al was more worried about his opponent’s feelings
than his own. He won the election by more than four fold. However, his acceptance speech (which he was
planning to deliver) almost contained an endorsement sounding speech in favor of his opponent but was
prevailed upon by other APPA members to revise his speech.
Close APPA associates want to groom Al Nillas to be APPA President-Elect next year, 2000. “Al Nillas is
what APPA needs. He can be a strong unifying force in strengthening and restructuring APPA,” remarked
one of former APPA presidents. Al has served APPA for more than fifteen years in various important positions
including Governor from New York in 1994 to 1998, Member of the House of Delegates for more than 12
years, co-chairman of Awards Committee, Constitution and By-Laws Committee, Budget and Finance
Committee.
He served in various national and statewide groups as past president of the prestigious Philippine Medical
Association in America of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut; vice president of the Silliman University
Alumni Association; Board Member of the Philippine Pediatric Society in America; Board Member of the
Association of the Philippine Physicians in New York; Board Member of Iloilo Society in America; Chairman of
Cebu Institute of Medicine Alumni; Board Member Philippine American Community of Staten Island, N.Y..;
Board Member of PEACE; Chairman and Medical Director of the Free Health Clinic; Vice President of
Barangay Sang Birhin Association; Board Member of the Empire City Medical Lions of Staten Island.
Al was born in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. He graduated from Negros Oriental Province High School. He
received his Medical Degree from Siliman University in 1958 and came to the United States in 1964 to pursue
further medical education, specialty training and graduate studies in medicines. Al Nillas is married to the
former Luisita “Loi” Sumaylo Nillas of San Jose, Negros Oriental. Loi was a former national president of
APPA Auxiliary. She was named as one of the 1993-1994 Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the
United States and Canada. The Nillas have two children Michael Nillas, M.D,, M.S., M.P.H., and Alfonso
Nillas, Jr. editor of World Health Organization in New York City. (NM)
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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