Joseph D. Ortiz, MD

Professor, Marianing, Dr. Ortiz, Tatang: this is what colleagues abroad. Local contemporaries, preceptess, students and residents called Dr. Mariano R. Ortiz, Jr.

Dr. Ortiz finished his medical degree at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Class 1953. He then took up internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at North General Hospital (now called Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center).

It was his sixth month as a Cardiac Fellow when he got hooked to the field of Dermatology. He had a case of Vasculitis referred to the service of Dermatology. There were no residents at that time so the patient was seen by the late Dr. Socorro Simuangco. After making her rounds, Dr. Simuangco was impressed with Dr. Ortiz that she offered a residency position in Dermatology and invited him to visit her at her Taft Avenue Clinic after a week for his decision. A week later, still undecided, Dr. Ortiz went to Dr Simuanco’s clinic and upon seeing the multitude of patients he agreed. During his residency training, Dr. Ortiz would see patients alongside Dr. Simuangco and occasionally her private patients when she was away giving lectures or attending conferences abroad.

During his senior year, Dr. Ortiz was chosen for a grant – the Colombo Plan – and together with Drs. Pablo Campos and Milagros Lopez, became the first Filipino dermatologists to set foot in the prestigious St. John’s Institute for Diseases of the Skin, London, United Kingdom. It was there where he met some luminaries in Dermatology which included Drs. Rook and Fitzpatrick.

When Dr. Ortiz got married, he then asked permission from Dr. Simuangco if he could set up his own practice at Avenida Rizal, far from hers to eliminate competition. Dr. Simuangco gladly gave her blessin after eight years of service.

During his stint at North General Hospital and UST, he also had the privilege of imparting his expertise to young and aspiring dermatologists that included Drs. Lina D. Torralba, Filomena L. Montinola, Ma. Luisa Venida, Gertrude Chan, Marita LimKe, Carmencita Salud, Jesusa Barcelona-Tan, Monina Macam, Arnelfa Paliza, Daisy K. Ismael, to name a few.

His interest in Acne and Psoriasis led him to be close acquaintances with international stalwarts in these fields: Drs. Alan Shalita, James Leyden, William Cunliffe, John Voorhoes, Prof. Griffiths and Robin Marks.

Dr. Ortiz also had the opportunity to serve the Philippine Dermatological Society and the former Philippine Aesthetic Medicine as Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Board Examiner and Council of Elders for both societies.

He also had the honor of establishing Sections of Dermatology at St. Luke’s Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center, henceforth becoming the first Chief Section of Dermatology in both institutions.

Most of you probably remember him for his silly jokes and innuendos as well as his “words of wisdom” and “pearls” during conferences, scientific meetings and round table discussions here and abroad.

I will remember Dr. Ortiz not only as an excellent dermatologist dedicated to his career but more as a loving husband to my mother, as a great father to me, my sisters, brothers-in-law and doting grandfather to my children and nephews.

One night after last year’s PDS Annual Convention, while having dinner, I told him: “Did you know Pa, there are now 700-800 PDS members?” He replied: “Eh di mabuti, ikaw at si Ditas bata pa kayo marami pa kayong magagawa para umunlad lalo ang PDS, tulungan ninyo ang PDS, mahalin ninyo ang PDS, dahil ang laki ng pinaghirapan ko para sa PDS… minahal ko ang PDS, pag wala na ako kayo na ang magpalago nyan.”

I guess this message to me by my father offers a challenge not only to me but to all of us PDS members – to make the PDS soar higher, and to be dedicated and excellent dermatologist, just like Dr. Mariano R. Ortiz, Jr.