Republic of the Philippines - CHD-Davao Region - DOH

Republic of the PhilippinesDepartment of HealthCENTER FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT-DAVAO REGIONJ.P. Laurel St., Bajada, Davao CityPRESS RELEASEMarch 7, 2006A NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR IN REGION XIThe Department of Health, Davao Region or DOH-XI has a new Regional Director in theperson of Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial. A young director, only 43 years old, Dr. Ubialwas previously the Assistant Regional Director or Director III of Western Visayas (IloiloCity) for 5 years. In December 2005, she was promoted as Director IV and was assignedRegional Director in Region IX or Zamboanga in February of this year. Then she wastransferred to Region XI and assumed duty in her new office last March 1, 2006. “I amindeed happy and excited to assume the leadership of the Dept. of Health, Center for HealthDevelopment of Davao Region. It is both an honor and a privilege”, Ubial said in theWelcome Program for her. She further stated that being in the government service is tostrive for excellence and be ever pro-active. She continued that there is “ a call for us toovercome the ever-present temptation for maintaining status quo, apathy and indifference”.Dr. Ubial is a well-travelled doctor to other countries and she used this opportunity toacquire more knowledge and skills to better serve her country. In her 16 years at DOH, shesaid she enjoyed working at the hinterlands among the marginalized Filipino people.In her first staff meeting yesterday, she told the health employees that she considers humanresources as her best resources and describes herself as a team player and that running theoffice is about “us working together”, with the support of the health partners andstakeholders. She also said that she believes in “modeling the way”, and challenges those inpublic service to reinvent themselves each day, finding new and innovative ways of doingthings with precision and efficiency. She narrated how she accepted the challenge of raisingthe accomplishment of Fully-immunized children (FIC) in Cotabato City from 18% to 80%in 1989 when she was just 26 years old, the youngest Assistant City Health Officer, her firstassignment with the DOH. And indeed, she was able to attain the goal where the Office hit82% FIC! The lesson, as she emphasized, is the willingness to learn to work despite the lackof training, for as long as the person gives his/her heart and commitment to one’s work, theimpossible becomes attainable.

Dr. Ubial is a health advocate herself and even donates blood twice a year. She has a regularexercise program of jogging and lifting weights at the gym. And she always finds time to goto Church as often as possible aside from going to bookstores and libraries to find a nicebook to read. Also, she delights in simple things like nature trips and enjoys watchingbasketball, football and baseball. With herself as an epitome of good health, she aims ofmoving the Health Sector Reform Agenda with the FOURmula One health framework ofHealth Secretary Francisco T Duque III through a fruitful partnership here at CHD DavaoRegion. To Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, our warm welcome and best wishes!(abremolar-doh-xi)DR. PAULYN JEAN B. ROSELL-UBIALRegional DirectorDOH-CHD, Davao Region