GLOANNE CABIGAS-ADOLOR, BSP BATCH 1987
Today, allow us to hear from Gloanne C. Adolor, also known as Glo/Glowie to her friends. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Batch 1987 of the University of the Philippines Manila. She served as a consultant on Internal Medicine and Diabetology and as a Department Manager III of Ancillary Services at the Lung Center of the Philippines, she is currently assisting the Pharmacy Division in rolling out the Clinical Pharmacy practice at said establishment. She is also a part-time faculty member of the Ateneo Graduate School/Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. She is married, with two children and her mother also served in the healthcare department as a pharmacist.
She herself got into the practice through invitations and referrals from mentors and colleagues. “I was promoted to Department Manager of Ancillary Services because of my pre-med course”, she said and when she took over during the early part of 2021, the essential but daunting task of planning for the cold chain management of COVID vaccines was assigned to her.
As she recollects her time in the university, she mentions one subject specifically: Pharm Chem, which especially developed her eye for detail and conscious determination of thresholds. “During the assays, we closely observed subtle changes in color of solutions even with one drop of the titration solution”, she recalls, “I am now applying this learning even in managing organizations: being able to consciously determine critical points, thresholds and tipping points that can alter the journey of an organization just as the thresholds in assays alter the outcome.”.
As for what drives her work, she simply says that her family is what mostly inspires her; “I have to perform what I am called to do so that they, my husband and daughters, may also perform what they are called to do”, she says. And that the understanding that she is on a “journey” also gives her strength.
“During assays, we closely observed subtle changes in color of solutions even with one drop of the titration solution. I am now applying this in managing organizations: being able to consciously determine critical points, thresholds, and tipping points that can alter the journey of an organization just as the thresholds in alssays alter the outcome. “
– Gloanne Cabigas-Adolor, RPh, MD, MS, MBA, FPCP | UPCPAA 2021 Distinguished Alumni Service Awardee
She hopes that more pharmacists will be deeply engaged in the practice of health and healthcare in all forms. “The versatility offered by the academic training like. exposure to hospitals, communities, manufacturing, research, et cetera is an important tool in dealing with individuals, firms, communities and the country as a whole”, she says. She looks forward to the addition of more academic strategies that will strengthen the identification of health outcomes related to the practice of Pharmacy, whether Therapeutic or Preventive.
After all of this, she simply wants to be remembered as one who lived according to her calling. And she would like to leave all of us with the message that we should “Consciously appreciate the learning process as this contributes to other areas of our lives not just as pharmacists”.