APPO -Brief Historical Background

A group of physicians spearheaded by Dr. Felino Barnes formed the Association of Philippine Physicians in Ohio in June of 1974 .The APPO became the first official state chapter of the mother organization, the Association of Philippine Physicians in America and was the host of Third APPA National Convention held at the Holiday Inn at Randall.

The first set of elected officers of the APPO were:
Dr. Andres Sabio, President; Dr. Manuel Rodriguez, Vice President; Dr. Mario Abellera, Secretary; Dr. Romeo Enriquez, Treasurer.Board of Directors were: Dr. Remigio Abello, Dr.Jaime Angeles, Dr.Arturo Basa, Dr. Theodore Mabini and Dr. Morada Sabio. Appointed Officers were: Dr. Celso Carandang, Executive Director; Dr. Conrad Javier, Press Relations Officer.
The APPO Constitution and By-laws was drafted by Dr. Manuel Rodriguez and ratified by the Board of Directors . The APPO was incorporated in the State of Ohio and is a tax-exempt organization described in section 501(cX3) of the Internal Revenue.

The first Sampaguita Ball was held on May 1975 at the West 150th Marriott Inn, chaired by Dr. Romeo Enriquez. The first Scientific meeting was held on June 1976 at the Bond Court Hotel and was chaired by Dr. Arturo Basa. These became a yearly event.

The first humanitarian project of the APPO was in July 1975 when the APPO physicians led by Dr. Manuel Rodriguez volunteered free physical examinations to more than 500 Boy Scouts at their campground in Ashtabula. In the sum- mer of 1976, APPO members led by Dr, Andres Sabio helped the Cleveland Academy of Medicine in the mass Po- lio immunization project at Richmond Mall in Lyndhurst

As the APPO membership grew, comprehensive goals and objectives were developed to better serve the members. The "birth" of the Official APPO newsletter later named "The Pulse" was in 1981 and Dr. Nelin Retizos was the first editor-in-chief . The APPO has continued its Outreach Program both locally and abroad. The APPO medical mission was the first medical mission to the Philippines by an organized Medical Society in the United States. This was the brainchild of Dr. Rosalinda de Jesus, 1980 President . The mission was held on December 1981 at San Fernando, La Union during the term of Dr. Rudy Lontoc and was chaired by Dr. Juliet So-Bosita, The medical mission has been one of the major humanitarian projects of the association from 1981 to the present. Dr. Armando Damian had chaired this project since July 1985 (with Dr. Nelin Retizos) to January 1999 ( except in 1988 when he was APPO President. It was chaired by Dr. Renato Bosita). The success of this endeavor is due to the continuous dedication of the mission team members and the support of the officers/members area hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, other charitable organizations and friends .

The APPO adopted the St Martin de Pores Hospital in the Philippines as its sister hospital and the APPO Ward was inaugurated in July 1985 during the term of Dr. Modesto Peralta. Aid to disaster areas helps the victims of the natural disaster especially during the Mt. Pinatubo volcano eruption and Typhoon Rosing. Locally, the APPO co-sponsors free cancer detection screening and coordinates Health Fairs with area hospitals and other organizations, supports the Shelter for Battered Women, the Cleveland Health Care for the Homeless, the Lake County Free Clinic and in partnership with the APPO Auxiliary supports and serves meals at the St. Paul Hunger center, visits the sick and elderly at the Sisters of the Poor at Richmond Heights. The APPO gives grants to deserving medical students of Filipino heritage here and abroad. The APPO has at present 262 active members. A Young Physicians Committee was created last year and there has been a an in- crease in the membership combined with the increase in involvement in our activities among our "Second Generation" physicians' (children of our APPO members) and "Young Physicians" (Filipino- American physicians in training). This is quite promising We hope to harness their energy and talent to help move the APPO forward into the next millennium.