Dr. Thelma Navarrete-Clemente, FPOGS, FICS, MHA
Chairman
Eminent Awardee "Ageless and Timeless Nonagenarian Physician"

In the years that she practiced her craft, Dr. Thelma Navarrete-Clemente, MHA, FPOGS, founding director of Capitol Medical Center has proven her unwavering dedication and commitment to serving the Filipino people. After finishing with flying colors her medical education at the University of the Philippines, she opted to use her skills as an obstetrician-gynecologist to serve the poor and needy patients in Tondo. Young as she was, Dr. Clemente already personified the selfless dedication and patriotism that she hoped to be emulated by others.

Her experiences as a post-graduate student at the Management Hague Maternity Hospital in New Jersey furthered fueled her burning desire to contribute and bring change to the healthcare system in the Philippines. Her exposure to a different and better system abroad did not lure her into staying there, in fact, it made her want to go back more to her homeland and make things better for her countrymen. To realize her commitment to the Filipinos, she built the Capitol Medical Center in 1970 to cater to the medical needs of the people, regardless of the financial status. Furthermore, she established the Capitol Medical Center Incorporation as a means for giving medical assistance to the marginalized, and also for providing medical services to barangays.

Age did not hinder Dr. Clemente from doing more to help others. At 91, she remains active and involved in various socio-civic organizations such as the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Fund where she is in charge of providing scholarship grants for indigent and deserving medical students. Her proven leadership and commitment to service certainly merit her due recognition.