2025 International Healthcare Professional Excellence Award
Dr. Carmencita David-Padilla, BS, MD, MAHPHS
The University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum (UPINHF), is a global healthcare-centered organization. It recognizes U.P. Alumni who exemplify their chosen vocation with its International Nurse Award and the International Healthcare Professional Excellence Award. Academic achievement is a component criterion but more important is the recipient’s work—-a breakthrough—- it’s meaningful impact to their community, country and all of humanity.
The 2025 International Healthcare Professional Excellence Award recipient is Dr. Carmencita M. David-Padilla, an internationally renowned geneticist and pediatrician, for her research and development of the Newborn Screening System (NBS) now implemented in thousands of health facilities across the country.
“A child is the most beautiful gift the world has to give,” yet that tiny beautiful thing is confronted by many challenges on its early journey to life, viz, low birth weight, neonatal mortality, infant death syndrome, etc. Infant deaths occur prior to reaching its first birthday, therefore the most important day in life is the very day of birth, a truism that motivated Dr. Padilla, a medical doctor and geneticist who specializes in diagnosing and treating genetic conditions or disorders, to embark on a research on ways to detect congenital conditions not otherwise apparent or manifested during the birthing period. The breakthrough: NEWBORN SCREENING SYSTEM (NBS). In simple terms, NBS is a public health program of screening neonates shortly after birth for disorders that are treatable (and therefore curable) but not clinically evident in the neonatal period.
With her magnificent findings, Dr. Carmencita Padilla, is recognized for her significant contributions to the field of clinical genetics and healthcare as a whole. The beneficiary of her genius is a country experiencing rampant infant mortality, and certainly all of humanity. Her efforts were made more readily available by the act of Congress. Indeed her endeavors led to, and form the bases of the NEWBORN ACT OF 2004 (Republic Act No. 9288) and the RARE DISEASES ACT OF 2016 (Republic Act No. 107407). Her compassion and profound concern for the neonates became a landmark legislation.
In her nomination letter, Dr. Lorraine Evangelista, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, an outstanding researcher herself, has these to say:
“Dr. Padilla has served the country in various significant roles, including Chancellor of the University of the Philippines, Manila from 2014 to 2023. Founding Director of the institute of Human Genetics, 2000 – 2010, and Director of the Newborn Screening Reference Center at the National Institute of Health 2006 – 2014.
“In 2013, Dr. Padilla was selected one of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the World by the U.S.-based Women’s Network; received the Dr. Pablo C. Campos Award for Medical Research from the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science, Inc. and was selected as the Outstanding Pediatrician by the Philippine Pediatric Society.
“On August 31, 2023, Dr. Padilla received the Order of National Scientist (Orden ng Gawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Agham) the highest recognition for a scientist in the Philippines. The President of the Philippines confers it based on the Academy’s recommendation to acknowledge her contribution to medicine. In subsequent year she received recognition as a laureate in the Asian Scientist 100 by Asian Scientists.”
Dr. Carmencita Padilla’s enthusiasm and devotion made the world a better place especially for the newborn. “Menchit” as she is known to her friends is a legend in her own right. Thanks to her commitment, giving birth will indeed be the greatest achievement, not the greatest fear.
For her extraordinary feats, the UPINHF, Directors and Officers, Founding Members and the whole membership hereby acknowledge the Person and the milestones accomplished by Dr. Carmencita Padilla as the 2025 International Healthcare Professional Excellence Awardee. Our warmest congratulations.
By Nelson C. Borrero, AB,LlB, UP Law ‘73