OUR HISTORY

     The Philippine Association of Medical Technologists San Diego Chapter (PAMET SAN DIEGO) was founded on June 10, 2010. Loreto Negado, clinical laboratory scientist and public health microbiologist was elected as the first president. Esther Madamba, PAMETUSA national president along with Arthur Trinidad, president of PAMET SoCal were present during the first meeting and election of PAMET San Diego’s first set of officers. A group of PAMET SoCal officers came to support the foundation of the new chapter.

     It was aboard the Sapphire Princess on August 16, 2010 that PAMET San Diego Chapter was introduced as the 16th Chapter of PAMETUSA. Chapter president Loreto Negado, received the welcome plaque from PAMETUSA president Esther Madamba.

     Our first membership drive held on September 26, 2010 was a big success. Our yahoo group email was in place and various activities were planned to stimulate member recruitment and participation. PAMET San Diego members join hundreds of people in the Step Out San Diego Diabetes Walk on October 24, 2010 and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk on November 7, 2010.

     On March 12, 2011, PAMET San Diego held its first annual symposium at the San Diego County Health Services Complex at Rosecrans. The San Diego Conference Room was filled to capacity as attendees listened to Dr. Mark Erlander (BioTheranostics), Loreta Sigarlaki (UCSD), Gilbert Montesclaros (UCSD), and Eileen Licuanan (NMCSD) speak on various topics in clinical laboratory science. It was a big day for PAMET San Diego.

      Barely a year after foundation, on August 5, 2011, PAMET San Diego hosted the 13th biennial executive board meeting of PAMETUSA. It was held at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. Delegations from the different PAMETUSA chapters came to the meeting. Three units of continuing education enhanced the morning session and plans for the 13th biennial convention predominated the afternoon meeting discussion. An evening reception followed at the home of Lavenia Correa, vice-president of the San Diego Chapter. It turned out to be a great time to network with other lab colleagues from other PAMET chapters.

     On August 6, 2011, the Philippine Association of Medical Technologist held its inaugural ball at the Holiday Inn on the Bay, San Diego. Many members of the PAMETUSA came to attend as PAMET San Diego hosted the 13th Executive Board Meeting of PAMETUSA. The occasion was well attended by local members and supporters of the chapter.

     The chapter has been inexistence for over a year. Its accomplishments a tribute to the initial officers and very hard-working members who recruited members, joined the charity walks, supported the symposium but most of all believed that together they can accomplish greater things.