Dr. Jasmine Eugenio

Dr. Jasmine Eugenio attended medical school in the Philippines.After completing her medical studies, she and her family had to flee the country in 1983 during the chaos following the fall of the Marcos government.

Arriving in Los Angeles with "nothing, no papers", she sought work in the healthcare industry in any available capacity.For over 10 years, she worked as an assistant to a doctor, a medical records clerk, a billing secretary and held a non-paying externship.

Today, Dr. Eugenio is a U.S. Citizen, married and the mother of an 8-year old daughter (she credits her family for being supportive) and chief resident of the Department of Pediatrics at King-Drew Medical Center."I've always liked children and I can't stand suffering, so pediatrics is my first love", she said."I told myself that I would do something about it".

Clearly "doing something about it" is the way Dr. Eugenio approaches problems she comes across.She describes herself as "very shy, very private person".She said "I don't like to project myself.I prefer to work".

Shyness or not, when she was nominated to be a union delegate in her first year of residency, she didn't hesitate to accept." I saw that the system needed improvement," she said."Obviously, I could not make change all by myself.We need a vehicle, and that is the union".

As president of the JCIR, she represents 1,600 housestaff at three Los Angeles County hospitals.But she is far from intimidated by the prospect."Each time I have to address a CEO, my confidence zone expands a little bit", she said.
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Dr. Eugenio is open to other possibilities as well."If I'm needed somewhere, I'm open to whatever presents itself".

Dr. Eugenio is the first Filipino resident physician to become president of the JCIR.Good luck Jasmine.Congratulations on your achievement and courage to meet the challenge.We, your "kababayans" are proud of you!

This article (presently slightly modified) appeared at the newsletter of the JCIR/CIR and is used with permission of Dr. Jasmine Eugenio.

For your information, the JCIR is a very powerful union of county residents in training.They are well financed and well represented by excellent lawyers.They are responsible for negotiating salaries, changes in policies regarding residency training, and representing residents who encounter difficulties with their program and a lot more.I have been once a county resident and I support their cause.They also have patient care funds to distribute to different departments to purchase instruments needed for patient care.