Book on famous doctor unveiled

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A book which depicts the humble beginnings and journey of Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo to international fame as one of the famous orthopedic surgeons in the world was unveiled here last Aug 23, 2019.

The launching of the book “Heart of the East, Tempo of the West” written by Carla P. Gomez and Millie L. Kilayko was held at the L’ Fisher Hotel.

The book was edited by Cecilia Gomez Andersen and its cover was designed by RJ Lacson.

It talks about how Dr. Gustilo beat poverty to become a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and inventor in the United States.

The title of the book was derived from how he was described by his former Japanese trainee Dr. Yoshinori Ishii.

Ishii, one of the more than 100 international fellows trained by Gustilo described him as someone who “loves with the heart of the East, and thinks with the tempo of the west.”

Gustilo, who hails from Manapla town in Negros Occidental, returned to his hometown to build facilities that provide world-class health services, jobs for hundreds of his townmates, and scholarships for the poorest and brightest.

The Gustilo Clinic and Ambulatory Surgery Center that he built in his hometown will soon become the Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo Hospital, with 50-bed capacity. Its construction is almost completed.

Gustilo is also an outstanding Negrense awardee, with 18 patents on inventions to his name and an author of numerous books.

Kilayko said the book is “not a biography, but actually a love story of a man, his wife, and five children, his profession, and his hometown.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Hector Gayares, chief executive officer of the Adventist International Health System Philippines, described Gustilo as a “rock star” in the medical profession.

Gayares said that doctors who have the opportunity to work with him in the operating room consider it an honor.

For his part, Gustilo said it was the fruit of many, many years of a dedicated life to medicine, and to others.

“I didn’t expect it. It was really amazing,” he added.