Beyond the Classroom: NDKC Notre Dame Day Medical Mission Serves More Than 230 Community Beneficiaries
By: Eric Vinz Near Soledad
KIDAPAWAN CITY, NORTH COTABATO — “Ma’am, ako na po ’ni. Doctor na po…”
These heartwarming words were shared by a proud Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) alumnus who returned to his alma mater as a licensed physician to volunteer his time and expertise during the institution’s Medical Mission held as part of Notre Dame Day 2026.
Held on September 8, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the NDKC Gymnasium, the outreach initiative served more than 230 community beneficiaries. The activity provided a range of free healthcare services, including laboratory testing, dental care, ophthalmological services, and general medical consultations.
A Community United for Health
The initiative brought together healthcare professionals, NDKC alumni who are doctors and other healthcare practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, student volunteers, and members of the community. To ensure an organized and efficient delivery of services, the organizers established a multi-station workflow that guided beneficiaries throughout the activity:
- Registration and Vital Signs: Participants began at the College Lounge for registration and initial vital signs monitoring.
- Health Screening and Education: Beneficiaries participated in a health education session focused on diabetes awareness and underwent Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) screening as part of the initial assessment.
- Medical, Dental, and Eye Consultations: Participants proceeded to designated stations for medical consultations, eye examinations, and dental services.
- Pharmacy and Medicine Dispensing: Those who received prescriptions proceeded to the designated pharmacy station for the dispensing of available medicines.
- Concluding Care and Evaluation: The activity concluded with the distribution of snacks or lunch, followed by an evaluation of the services received before participants exited the venue.
From Student to Doctor: A Full-Circle Homecoming
For the NDKC community, the medical mission was more than a healthcare outreach activity. It also reflected the enduring connection between the institution and its alumni and the values of service nurtured among its students.
The return of a former Marist student to his alma mater as a healthcare professional added a meaningful dimension to the activity. Years after walking the halls of NDKC as a student, the alumnus returned in a different capacity—as a licensed physician committed to serving others.
His brief and humble exchange, “Ma’am, ako na po ’ni. Doctor na po…” (“Ma’am, it’s me. I’m a doctor now.”), captured a meaningful full-circle moment: a former student returning home to share his knowledge and skills with the community and give back to the institution that helped shape his aspirations.
The Notre Dame Day Medical Mission demonstrated how education extends beyond the classroom. Through the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, alumni, students, and volunteers, NDKC continues to foster a culture of compassion, service, and community engagement—bringing the Marist mission to life through concrete acts of care for others.
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