The celebration of National Women’s Month brings about a big conversation on the importance of gender equality, the plights and gender-based struggles of women, and the promotion of women’s rights.
For Dr. Maria Lourdes Otayza, chief of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), Women’s Month reminds her of women’s health – of the medical and other health services for female-specific health issues.
In an interview with the medical center chief, she shared her inspirational journey in the medical field and some relevant health tips for women.
Otayza has served in the MMMHMC for 21 years.
Being put in a leadership role early on in her career, she recalled that it was a challenge for her to manage her workmates who are older than her.
“I had trepidations, I would constantly think paano yan – paano ko sila papagalitan o sasabihan? I was advised by my Regional Director, because I am naturally friendly, she told me na it’s okay to be friendly with my staff, it’s a good foundation, pero kapag panahon na na kailangan mo silang sabihan, I call them by their title para alam nila na seryoso na ‘yong usapan,” she shared.
Over time, she got her footing and established herself as a transformational leader of the biggest hospital in Ilocos Norte.
For Dr. Otayza, the key to becoming a transformational leader is knowing and understanding the culture of the workplace and the people in it so they can advance and grow together.
Under her leadership, the MMMHMC successfully passed the Proficiency Revalida of their Performance Governance System (PGS) journey and bagged the prestigious Gold Trailblazer Award on October 21, 2022.