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Aug 6, 2010
I had the rare privilege to hear Dr. Connie Mariano deliver her much-anticipated keynote speech last Saturday to a jam-packed room full of people who eagerly waited for her to get to the podium and listen to what she had to say. See, Dr. Mariano is not just another doctor. This Filipino American doctor has a stellar resume and her reputation preceded her only because of who she is and what she has achieved in her career. To be actually there in the same room – to see her, to hear her speak of her incredible experiences and pick through the highlights of her career – was life changing for me. To say that it was such a treat for me is a huge understatement.
With that said, it’s time to meet Dr. Connie Mariano, The White House Doctor. Yes, she is a doctor all right but she’s not just your ordinary doctor. She is T-H-E White House doctor to three, not just one or two, United States presidents. Her previous bosses included Presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. How’s that for a resume? You can also add book author to the mix. She just penned her first book aptly called, The White House Doctor. A few things struck me when I met her at the awards night last Saturday where we both received our awards. She was so down to earth and utterly gracious. She had a ready smile for everybody. She was charming. She was friendly. And she was humble considering all her achievements.
I am not going to make any excuses if I sound like a star-struck fiend. I was really impressed when I saw her and even more impressed after hearing her speech. There’s nothing more endearing to me than to hear somebody share her life experiences in the most inspiring way.
As immigrants in the United States, we seek role models of our kind to help us better ourselves. Anytime a Filipino rises in stature or position, we take notice. We collectively take pride and assume bragging rights as a people and unabashedly claim that our very own “has made it” or has achieved the ultimate American Dream. We did it for the White House Chef, Cris Comerford. And now there’s Dr. Mariano. She was born in Sangley Point, Philippines to a father who was a career Navy enlisted serviceman and a mother who was a dentist. She moved to Hawaii when she was just two and her father’s Navy career allowed her to live in different places including California,Taiwan and Washington, D.C. She received her Medical Degree from the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. She completed her residency and internship in Internal Medicine at the Naval Hospital in San Diego. She served as General Medical Officer and Medical Department Division Head onboard the USS Prairie.
After getting her board certification in Internal Medicine, she was assigned at the Naval Medical Clinic in Port Hueneme, California for four years, became the Division Head of General Internal Medicine back at the Naval Hospital for two years and in June 1992, Dr. Mariano became the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician.
At the 16th Annual Gintong Pamana Awards night, she shared the story of how she landed the job as The White House Doctor. She said that when she sent in her application, she really believed that it was going to be a long shot that she’ll get the job. You could just imagine her frayed nerves the day of her interview. Dr. Mariano got the job not only because of her smarts and her amazing experience. She got the job because she gave the high-ranking officer who interviewed her that day the perfect answer to his question.
When asked why she wanted the job, her short answer captured everything that every immigrant in this country should say. “It’s pay back time!” she told him. Pay back time, she explained, after this country had given her father and subsequently her family so much and for the many opportunities that they’ve come to enjoy as a result of their moving here.
To paraphrase what she said in her keynote speech that evening, she said that as Filipino Americans we stand out in the crowd because we look different but we should grab that opportunity to be outstanding. “There are times to be humble but there are times that you should be proud,” she said.
Her speech was riveting in the sense that it was simple yet honest and direct to the point. It was endearing and very inspiring. It was a definitive roadmap for every person in that room to try and emulate as each one of us who are immigrants set our sails in one direction – to make it in this great country!
I’m no doctor but after hearing her speech, the light bulb in my head started flickering incessantly. She’s right. Being different in America is really a good thing. It’s the best starting point for all great things to come.
I guess it took The White House doctor to remind me that being different means no more ducking, no more hiding and definitely no more avoiding the rough waves, and that it is really more than okay to stand out and be outstanding. I am deeply elated to have met her and for the opportunity to listen to her. I looked at her a few times after she made her speech and could not help thinking, “If being different means attaining a semblance of Dr. Mariano’s success then by golly, that’s not too bad of a gig really.” With that thought permanently etched in my head, there’s no turning back now.