Dear Doc Maia,

Composing this farewell message saddens me a bit because it only validates the fact that you really are leaving your
position as training officer in our department. What an honor it has been having trained under your guidance for two
years. I can list a handful of reasons and I’m know for sure that in no way can I give justice to you and all that you’ve
done for Querencia by writing this letter. But I will try.

When I thought of three words that would best describe you and the journey that we’ve shared, what automatically
came into my mind was our very own values of Docere, Sanare and Amare.

Docere.
Doc Maia, you have been first and foremost, our teacher and mentor. As per William Ward’s famous words, “The
good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” You have been an inspiration
in the field of medicine and clinical acuity, Doc. I honestly am in awe of how much you know in the field of medicine
(and not just nephrology alone!). You make us realize how little we know and how much we need to know. And you
do it in such a manner that is never condescending or belittling, and we appreciate that so much.

Sanare.
I honestly always look forward to making rounds with you, Doc. It’s because I learn so much outside the medical
context. I learn and I see how well you interact with your patients and their loved ones. And I see more than just the
medical insight. I see empathy and altruism. You always make it a point to bring a smile to your patients faces - to
make them feel happier despite their weak bodies. You give them hope, even in the midst of hopelessness. You are
not just a doctor, but also a healer, Doc, and I pray to be like you someday.

Amare.
Dealing with 50 plus residents under the umbrella of a big department is no easy feat, and you proved to have handled
that feat in the last three years. But what amazes me is how you try your best to connect with each of these residents.
You know each one individually – our strengths and weaknesses, our skills and limitations, and those areas that need
improvement. And you don’t even stop there. You push us constantly to become better and to go out of our comfort
zone. Yes, it may have been so taxing at first, but in the long run, we realize that you did it because you want to bring
out the best in all of us. I admire how much time and effort you dedicated for our department, Doc. You truly are the
mother of dragons.

One of the lessons I’ve learned from you that I will always carry along with me is when you told me that it’s okay to
lose sometimes, that losing is part of growing, and that it makes you humble and ultimately a better person. Thank
you, Doc, for helping me with my case report (nanalo tayo!). Thank you, Doc, for choosing me to be part of the Neuro
QB team. Thank you, Doc, for always praying for us during the PCP QBs. Thank you for being our friend, our teacher,
our mother. Thank you for being you.

I honestly don’t know what residency would be like without you as our training officer, Doc. And I can only hope for
the best for your next journey. You deserve all the best.

Florge Francis Sy