Medical director with a passion for wellness offers unique perspective

The South Luzon Hospital and Medical Center was only launched in 2007.

STA. ROSA, LAGUNA – On his desk rested a Philippine casino bus tour proposal that led to a short discussion on the topic of gambling.  Dr. Jun Juliano admits that he really wasn’t too fond of casino gaming.  “You always lose to the house.  In business, you don’t lose because you always learn whether you succeed or not – you learn something.”

An ophthalmologist by training, Dr. Juliano sits on the board of two big Laguna-based hospitals, namely Calamba Medical Center in Calamba and South Luzon Hospital and Medical Center in Sta. Rosa.

His 80-year old father, Jose O. Juliano PhD, renowned for his contributions to nuclear physics and chemistry, still runs both hospitals as President.

All three Juliano siblings are doctors without much coercion from their father who also wanted to be one but due to limited financial means in the postwar era, he was not able to pursue the profession.

Nevertheless, he managed to carve an impressive career in nuclear science and eventually became President of Interphil Pharmaceutical (Zuellig) that produces drugs for other companies.

It was with such apprehension that the son, Dr. Juliano, entered his private practice as an ophthalmologist in his family’s hometown in Calamba.  “When I entered Calamba, I had to be careful.  My father is respected here.”

He made a personal decision to start his career in the province having concluded that the practice of medicine is less of a business transaction.  “Here, my patients hug me,” he cites.

He goes on to discuss the tendency of certain medical professionals to turn the vocation into a pure moneymaking venture. “You can make money the right way.  You don’t have to go after money.  If you work hard, it will come to you.  What is important is the name – your reputation.”  He continues, “Build your reputation and protect it.  It only takes one bad case to destroy your name.”

Dr. Juliano started his practice at the Calamba Medical Center in 1995.  He relates that at that time, up to 40 patients a day (including Sunday) would come see him.  This eventually left him stressed and he discussed with his father the idea of setting up the Calamba Eye Center.  After convincing the hospital to consider his idea, the center was launched in 1996.  His father was eventually offered to purchase stocks at Calamba Medical Center.  Immediately after the offer was accepted, there was a labor strike that catapulted his father to the hospital presidency, at an age where many men would have already considered retirement.  The hospital has since survived the troubled times.

In an era where hospitalization often equates to the depletion of life savings for the common folk, Dr. Juliano provides a clear perspective on human rig

hts.  He cites the anti-detention law in the country where a hospital cannot detain patients with unpaid bills.  In their hospitals, Dr. Juliano mentions that they allow a patient to go home but patients are required to sign a promissory note and to provide collateral.

He further mentions the anti-deposit law that prohibits hospitals from requiring a deposit from the patient upon admission.  He further confirms that at their hospitals, patients are like customers. “You’re the client.  We don’t want to lose you as a client.  So if there’s no room available for your need, we give you the next level room at no extra cost.”

He believes in giving everyone humane treatment.  “Why treat the rich and poor differently,” he starts.  He also cites that Filipinos also tend to give locals and foreigners uneven treatment.  “Do you know the poor will become richer and the locals will become foreigners (balikbayans)?

Certain doctors, especially those with strict orientation towards disease management, have not always accepted Dr. Juliano’s philosophy on wellness. After all, many doctors specialize only in specific sicknesses.

Dr. Jun Juliano thinks that putting a spa inside a hospital is not too farfetched

“You can help people prevent complications from lifestyle diseases through preventive medicine,” he says.

Dr. Juliano sticks to an 80/20 rule that 20 percent of people are the sick to be admitted while 80 percent of the remaining population will always be well or will pursue wellness.  He says that most doctors concentrate on the  sick and fight over sick people.  He thinks that there is still 80 percent of the pie that includes people who are healthy that are willing to pay so they won’t get sick.  The hospital need not be only a place for the sick but also a place for preventive medicine.  Harnessing nature’s healing power and combining east and west medical practices are among his advocacies.

The Calamba Medical Center is one of the major hospitals in the area with 122 beds.  Dr. Juliano is currently its Medical Director.

The South Luzon Hospital and Medical Center with only 50 beds, on the other hand, hopes to be known as a hotel hospital.  Dr. Juliano narrates some of the changes instituted:  patients are checked-in directly to the room (instead of having to first fill up a form at admissions), the outpatient and inpatient services stay on separate floors to avoid possible infections, clinics are also clustered according to specialty so that the bacteria will not mix, diagnostic machines are located in one area.  At the lobby, there is a center for autistic and special kids.  Currently being built is a facial care facility to be opened soon.  In the meantime, adding a spa and gym or assisted living facilities inside the hospital are among his recommendations.

All told, Dr. Juliano may still encounter challenges in convincing his fellow doctors about the merits of certain wellness ideas.  But with growing public awareness about natural healing philosophies, the realization of his rare vision may not be too far off.

photos by Ma. Esther Salcedo – Posadas