A Filipino Doctors’ Fund Just Crossed $11 Million. It Started With Six Names.

In 1990, a handful of Filipino physicians in the United States started a fund to send money back to the medical school that made them. Thirty-six years later it holds $11 million. The special feature runs in Section F of the September 21, 2026 Philippine Times of Southern Nevada.

33rd Annual USTMAAA Convention: Four Days in Burlingame

The University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association in America (USTMAAA) gathered alumni physicians, families and friends from across the country for its 33rd Annual Convention and Reunion, July 15–19, 2026, at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront in Burlingame, California.

The four-day program combined governance, continuing medical education and celebration. It opened with a joint board meeting of USTMAAA and the USTMAAA Foundation, followed by a CME program. The Opening Ceremony keynote came from Dr. Ma. Lourdes Maglinao, Dean of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who presented “The New Healer’s Manifesto: From Stethoscope to Synapse, 50-Years of Care and the Future We Must Create.”

Evenings ran to Karaoke Night and a dance party, a “Western Night” parade celebrating class anniversaries and outstanding jubilarians, and a Gala Night featuring the Most Outstanding Alumni Awards and formal officer inductions.

The $11 Million Endowment Milestone

Established in 1990 as a permanent vehicle for alumni to support their alma mater, the USTMAAA Foundation announced that its permanent endowment fund has grown to $11 million. Attendees and donors at this convention alone raised more than $100,000 directly for the Foundation.

The founders the Foundation honors

• Dr. Gregorio Tolentino, its first President
• Dr. Jose Evangelista, who founded USTMAAA and established chapters across the United States — New York, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Nevada and Northern California — while championing a unified national organization and annual convention
• The late Dr. Jose “Boy” Vijungco, recognized for visionary leadership
• The late Dr. Nacianceno Largoza

The leadership that carried it

Dr. Stella Evangelista has served as Executive Director of the Foundation since its inception in 1992 and Executive Director of USTMAAA for 22 years, providing executive and administrative support at no cost for over three decades. Drs. Dionisio and Zita Yorro worked alongside Drs. Jose and Stella Evangelista — Dr. Dionisio Yorro as CME Director and Editor for over 30 years and Overall Chairman and Executive Director of the 33rd Convention, Dr. Zita Yorro as Convention Chairperson alongside Dr. Stella Evangelista for over 20 years. Dr. Marie Josephine Han-Valera serves as USTMAAA President for 2026–2027 and Co-Chair of the 33rd Convention.

Major donors and class leaders recognized include Dr. Jose and Dr. Stella Evangelista, Dr. Jose and Herminia Vijungco, Dr. Gerard and Dr. Maria Theresa Flores, Dr. Maria Regina Flores, the Flores Family Foundation, and representatives from the UST Medicine Classes of 1964 (led by Dr. Anselmo Unite), 1968, and 1969 (led by Dr. Noel Canlas, Dr. Murillo Mangubat and Dr. Lovey Garcia). Convention organizers Dr. Primo Andres, Dr. Gerry Flores, and Dr. Dionisio and Marie Josephine Han Valera were recognized for sustaining national traditions.

“This Is Our Legacy”

Executive Director Dr. Stella Evangelista reflected on the milestone: “This is our legacy. It is the enduring result of alumni who chose to give back to the institution that formed us, to support the physicians and scholars who will follow us, and to bring hope and healing to patients who need our help most.”

Foundation grants have exceeded $15 million in total, funding work including the Alumni Center and the St. Cosmas and Damian Simulation and Research facility at UST.

Nevada’s Connection

Nevada is one of the chapters Dr. Jose Evangelista established, and Filipino physicians practicing in Las Vegas and across Clark County remain part of the national network. The same edition also reports the FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation of the United States honoring its Class of ’61 Blue Sapphire jubilarians at the 45th annual CME Reunion in Detroit — the class that took eight of the top ten places in the 1961 Philippine medical board examinations, a record unbroken to this day.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Building on the California gathering and the endowment milestone, USTMAAA is already planning next year’s convention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is USTMAAA?

The University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association in America — the national organization of UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery graduates practicing in the United States, with chapters including Nevada.

How large is the USTMAAA Foundation endowment?

The permanent endowment fund reached $11 million, announced at the 33rd Annual Convention. Total grants from the Foundation have exceeded $15 million.

When and where was the 33rd Annual Convention?

July 15 to 19, 2026, at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront in Burlingame, California.

Who leads USTMAAA for 2026–2027?

Dr. Marie Josephine Han-Valera serves as President for 2026–2027 and was Co-Chair of the 33rd Convention.

Also in this issue: Read all 36 pages free · Nevada’s $180 million rural health award · Pangasinan Association inducts new officers · Past editions