My Journey Toward Child Neurology

I completed my pediatric residency training in Davao City where pediatric neurology specialists are few. Truthfully, Child Neurology was not among my top fellowship choices at the time. Like many trainees, my plans were shaped by familiarity. However, fate has a way of gently redirecting us. I eventually applied for a pre-fellowship in Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and it was there that I discovered an unexpected enthusiasm for neurology.

  
Despite not having batchmates during my training, I never felt alone. Instead, I found a larger family in the Child Neuroscience Division. Training under mentors who shared their knowledge and gave guidance shaped not only my clinical skills but also my values as a physician. Working with Dra. Lillian V. Lee, the founder of Child Neurology in the Philippines, inspired me to pursue this field with purpose and commitment, especially in serving children who are often unseen and underserved.
  

Through my fellowship training, I learned that caring for children with neurologic conditions goes far beyond medications, procedures, or guidelines. It is about listening to parents’ fears, uncertainties, and hopes for their child’s future. It is about showing compassion and making families feel heard and seen. Child neurology taught me not only how to think critically, but also how to feel deeply.
  

As I move forward, I hope to inspire others, especially the younger generation of medical students, to see the quiet beauty of child neurology. Furthermore, I hope to bring better neurologic care to communities like where I came from. This journey, unexpected as it was, has become the work my heart chose.