ShareThis
Jose Limjoco Evangelista
M.D., FACC, FACP, FACCP, FRCP ©
Recipient: Apolinario Mabini Award for Outstanding Leadership
The Amazing Dr. Joe
By Ting Joven Giovanelli
An Asian Journal article “Best of Both Worlds” described Dr. Jose Evangelista as “one of those rare men who not only excel in whatever they do, but also serve to make a positive impact wherever they are.”
Dr. Jose Evangelista wrote in his bio “We will pass through this world only once; we ought to be sure that in that passage, we can leave footprints in the sands of time that would serve as an eloquent reminder to those following us that at one time in the past, there journeyed thru this world, men and women whose spirits were as generous as their characters were noble.”
“To be successful, you have to be willing to fail. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” “Hard work, commitment and the pursuit of excellence are the essential elements to success in life and remember, whatever you do, always give it your best shot and always give people more than what they expect to get.”
We rarely see the likes of Dr. Joe Evangelista. To say that his success, achievements and contributions to society are impressive is a terrible understatement for the man has not only achieved so much more than probably 10 high achievers combined, he has also given back much more than
what the world had expected him to. Two pages on this book will not be enough to tell his story. His life alone, as a loving husband to Dr. Estella Salgado Evangelista, an outstanding physician herself; his accomplishments,
recognitions and awards, and how he was able to raise six successful children – all following in the footsteps of their parents, is a book in itself anyone would love to read.
His parents, Jose Castro Evangelista Sr. and Aurora Limjoco Evangelista, both from Candaba, Pampanga, must have done something good in their lives to deserve a son like Joe. He graduated Valedictorian in Elementary and in High School (St. Andrew’s Academy), graduated Summa Cum Laude, B.S. Pre-Medicine & Zoology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines in 1963 and became a Doctor of Medicine, and the President of the Graduating Class of 1968 in the same university.
His Postgraduate Training includes: Internship, Columbus-Cuneo Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois in 1968; Internal Medicine Residency, Sinai Hospital & University of Illinois in 1969;
Pulmonary Fellowship, Wayne County General Hospital, Michigan in 1871; Cardiology Fellowship, Sinai Hospital in Detroit in 1972. ; Cardiology Fellowship, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1973. He has been honored as fellows of various organizations like the American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians; American College of Chest Physicians; American College of International Physicians, American College of Angiology; Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and American Society of Cardiac Invasive Professionals.
He is Board Certified and Diplomate: American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases Subspecialty; Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons in Canada; Certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, and Board Certified and Diplomate in Nuclear Cardiology. He was Chief of Staff Elect at St. Mary’s Hospital, Livonia, Michigan, in 1999-2000; Chief of Staff of the same hospital in 2000-2001, and Chairman, Medical Staff Activities Committee in 1990-1991. His affiliations also include Oakwood Annapolis Hospital in Wayne, Michigan. He was also a Visiting Clinical Professor at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.
Dr. Joe Evangelista has been elected as President in the following local and national Medical associations: Philippine Medical Association of Michigan, 1982-1983; Association of Philippine Physicians in America 1987-1988; University of Santo Tomas Alumni of Michigan, 1984-1986; University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni of Midwest, 1986-1987; UST Medical Alumni Association of America. 1992-1994, and UST Medical Alumni Association of Foundation, 1994-1996.
In 1994, Joe was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton as a Board Member of the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education & Accreditation, United States Dept. of Education for the years 1994-2000. His recent appointment as Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Michigan for the years 2008-2013 is yet another testament to Joe’s unlimited generosity in sharing his time and blessings.
Joe and wife Stella, became the first Filipino and first couple ever to be inducted to the International Institute Hall of Fame, in recognition of their exemplary contributions in the community to promote ethnicity and
diversity – awarded by the Institute of International Affairs of Metro Detroit, in May 4, 1990. Their pictures are on display at the International Heritage Hall of Fame in Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan. Joe is also a recipient of the Banaag Award from Philippine President Fidel Ramos in December 15, 1993 at Malacanang Palace, in recognition of his active participation in pursuing the Philippine government’s development and relief programs in the Philippines; TOTALAwardee in Medicine 2009 – Thomasian Outstanding Alumnus in the field of Medicine, for his outstanding and significant contributions in the field of medicine. This is the highest award given by the University of Santo Tomas to its alumni. Presented by the Rector Magnificus in February 2009; Asian American Hall of Fame Awardee USA 2009 in Medicine and Government Service for outstanding achievements in Medicine and significant contributions in the field of government service to the Philippines. Presented by Fil-Am TV Show, Chicago, May 30, 2009; Most Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by the UST Medical Alumni Association in America, July 5, 2002; Most Outstanding “Capampangan” of the Year in the field of Medicine and Humanitarian Services, given by the Governor of Pampanga, Pampanga, Philippines, December 11, 1988; Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the United States Award, presented by Fil-Am Image of Washington D.C.. September 27, 1991; Flag Award for Outstanding National President given by the Michigan State Medical Society, 1995; National President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership, Michigan State Medical Society, April 30, 1988; Archbishop Medallion Award as Most Outstanding Professional for Philanthropic Services, Pampanga, Philippines, April 1984; Citizens of the Year Award given by Kiwanis Westland of Michigan (both Jose and Stella Evangelista) in November 1990; “ Mariano M. Alimurung Memorial Lecture” on the “ Role of Thrombolysis, PTCA and CABS in Acute Myocardial Infarction”, December 20, 1993, and the Hermogenes Santos Memorial Lecture Award, New York, May 1983.
Joe is President and CEO of three companies, the JS Evangelista Development Company, a construction and development company based in West Bloomfield, Michigan; Livonia Diagnostic Center and Livonia Heart Center, and Royal Management Company, a property management company. His wife Dr. Stella Salgado Evangelista, is also an outstanding physician, role model and community leader and a recipient of the 2006 Lingkapil Award from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and was appointed to the Michigan Board of Medicine for eight years by Governor James Blanchard, then Governor of Michigan. In 1996 Stella was honored with a Prism Award by the Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc.
Their children, all grown up and very successful are: .Ma. Cristina (40 years old), a Business graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, major in Economics; real estate developer, property manager, Executive Vice President of Royal Management Company and President of Evangelista Properties, LLC. Married to Kelly Costello with three children; Edmund ( 39 years old) an M.D. graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA – Diplomate in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and in group practice in Mission Viejo, CA.
Marcus (37 years old) a JD/MBA/CPA, graduate of Boston College Law School, CFO and Legal Counsel of Maple Manor Rehab Center, JS Evangelista Develop- ment and Royal Management companies; Jose III ( JJ) ( 30 years old) a MD graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, Diplomate Internal Medicine, Residency in Internal Medicine Yale University Hospital and Fellow in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine at University of San Diego; Maristella (27 years old) – MD/MBA graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, Residency in Plastic Surgery at University of California, Irvine, CA., and Augustus Peter (25 years old)– MD/MBA ’11, Tufts University School of Medicine and President of Medical school student body.
Indeed, Dr. Joe Evangelista, the outstanding physician, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and mostly a devoted and loving husband is also a proud father of six.
Congratulations Dr. Jose Evangelista! Your footprints in this world will truly serve as an inspiration to the next generation of our times.
