PAMET-Nevada gears up for 2008 Text & Photos by ZEN Filipino and Filipino-American professional medical technologists (MedTechs) in the United States are a growing force to reckon with in the healthcare industry. Not only are they prospering professionally, but most importantly, they are getting to be more and more organized for their common good. The existence and continued growth of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists in the USA (PAMET-USA) with chapters nationwide is proof of its burgeoning strength, unity and clarity of purpose. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the PAMET was born out of necessity to serve the professional and cultural needs of foreign-trained medical technologists. Back in the early 80s, having recognized that Filipinos are the biggest minority group of medical technology expatriates, the founders believed that they should have influence in the future directions of the profession. Established in September 1988 with the goal of unifying all Filipino medical technologists in the United States, the PAMET-USA was conceived with the merging of three independent PAMET organizations based in New York, New Jersey and Chicago. Then, 10 more chapters followed namely Northern California, Southern California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Texas, Washington DC, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, and Georgia. The National Board, with representation from all chapters, governs the PAMET-USA. It convenes every two years, having the National Convention during even year, and the National Board Meeting, during odd year. Membership in the PAMET-USA through its various state chapters is easy. Regular membership is open to anyone of Filipino ancestry who has a Medical Technology degree, or any related degree from the Philippines or the USA, who resides in the United States, and who supports and promotes the organization's professional and cultural well-being. It also accepts Associate membership, for those who reside outside the United States. To be considered Active, one must be a member who has paid his/her annual dues as well as any other assessments, and who has participated in at least one chapter activity. An Associate is one who is non-Filipino but holds a Medical Technology degree working in the laboratory and/or any related sciences, and is supportive of the organization's mission and objectives. An associate member is entitled to vote but may not hold any office. PAMET-USA's youngest creation is PAMET-Nevada Chapter, the 14th in its 20-year of progressive existence. Finally established in August 1999, PAMET-Nevada had its seeds in the early '90s. It remained a seed waiting to be nurtured for years. Earlier, Romy Guideng and Cleofita Lim attempted to form the group in 1992. Five years later, Nellie Almoina, a member of PAMET-California, relocated to Las Vegas to work for American Pathologists Laboratories. There she met Ellie Garcia and her sister Becky, also erstwhile members of PAMET-California, who were interested in forming a chapter. However, their work schedules once more stilled the idea. In the late summer of 1998, Virginia Quintin, coming from Indianapolis where she was a secretary of PAMET-Indiana, joined American Pathologists Laboratories. She met with Nellie and Ellie, and a more serious discussion ensued. Again, their plan was scuttled. Then in the early summer of 1999, Liz Dequinia, then PAMET-USA president and Trini Miller, came to Las Vegas to scout the venue for the 7th National Board Meeting scheduled at the end of August. They contacted Nellie, who called on Nellie Almoina, Aquilles Anquillano, Tina Del Castillo, Becky Garcia, Romy Guideng, and Virginia Quintin, and Tina del Castillo (also from APL) for a meeting. The scheme was to form a Nevada chapter, and install interim officers at the presence of the PAMET-USA national officers. They also invited Evelyn Sayre, a veteran organizer respected for her skill in organizational management, to head the group. On August 28, 1999, at the 7th Biennial National Meeting held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Casino, the long wait ended. The elusive dream finally became a reality. Evelyn Sayre was installed first president of PAMET-Nevada for term 1999-2002. The PAMET-Nevada Chapter earned the distinction of being the only chapter where all the PAMET national officers were present at the installation of its very first officers, a very rare occasion. From 1999 onwards, there was no stopping PAMET-Nevada in its quest for relevance in the lives of its members and the public it serves. It unleashed a series of activities geared towards members' further professional improvement by offering accredited Continuing Education. In October 1999, PAMET-NV was incorporated and appointed Romy Guideng as the organization's Resident Agent (RA). In April 2002, Leo Fabriquier was installed president for term 2002-2004 in glittering ceremonies held at the Srtardust Hotel & Casino. In September 2002, the http://www.pametnevada.org website was launched. It was created, designed, and maintained by PAMET-Nevada member Virginia Gambon-Quintin. In May 2003, PAMET-NV president Leo Fabriquier presented its first sponsored-scholarship to Nevada's high school graduates at the Fiesta Hotel and Casino. The award was matched by United Blood Services of Las Vegas. In December 2003, Leo Fabriquier was re-elected president for 2004-2006. Lydia Coleman was President-Elect for the term 2006-2008. In February 2004, PAMET-USA sponsored the First Teleconference/Meeting for all the 14 chapters across the country at the Hyatt Regency Resort-Lake Las Vegas. PAMET-USA president Ricky Martinez and PAMET-NV president Leo Fabriquier, co-hosted the historic event. On September 8-12, 2004, PAMET-USA again selected Las Vegas for its 9th Biennial National Convention at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. Three PAMET-Nevada officers were elected to PAMET-USA National namely Evelyn Sayre, 1st Vice President; Leo Fabriquier, Board of Director; and Virginia Quintin, Corresponding Secretary. Quintin was also chosen Most Outstanding Member (MOM). On October 29, 2005, PAMET-NV offered the first Review Class for its members which ran through January 28, 2006. The class was co-sponsored by QUEST Diagnostics Lab and United Blood Services. In December 2005, Ferdie Destura, was President-Elect for term 2008-2010. He and his officers were sworn in by PAMET-USA president Letty Acosta on April 26, 2006, at the Jurani's Sports and Dance Studio.On August 6, 2006 the PAMET-Nevada Chapter won "Best Performance" on a Broadway-themed contest, and adjudged "Best Booth Display" at the PAMET-USA 9th Biennial National Convention in San Francisco, CA. It also racked another notch. Current PAMET-NV President Lydia Coleman was elected PAMET-USA National 3rd Vice President. In March 2007, PMAET-NV undertook its second Review Class offering which ran through May. On September 27-29, 2007, PAMET-USA came back to Las Vegas for its 11th Biennial Executive Board Meeting held at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Later in December, Fita Lim was President-elect for term 2010-2012. This year, on January 12, PAMET-USA President Mila Braganza installed the officers headed by PAMET-NV President Ferdinand Duestra for term 2008-2010 at the Cafe Moda. Being the youngest and 14th PAMET-member state, PAMET-Nevada has done a lot since 1999. This year, it is once more gearing up for another two years of challenging opportunities to improve the lot of its members, even as it provides assistance and support to those foreign-trained new members to better equip themselves in the practice of their profession. It will not be surprising if in the near future, PAMET-Nevada will lend its voice in the chorus to influence the future directions of the profession.