At the age of 102, Dr. Jose V. de los Santos Sr., the father of Philippine Orthopedics, joined his Creator in the morning of September 17, 2000 leaving behind a legacy in the fields of orthopedic surgery and medicine in general.
After completing post-graduate training in several hospitals in Germany and in the USA, he held the position of Chief of the University of the Philippines Infirmary in the 1930’s. After the 2nd World War, the US Catholic Digest recognized him to be one of the “best loved persons in the Philippines” for having saved the lives and given hope to numerous war-injured victims he attended to despite the absence of appropriate facilities and medical equipment.
A genuine “Man for Others”, the spirit of his commitment to serve his fellowmen is endless. It was in 1949 when he founded the De Los Santos Clinic, a modest medical facility, which swiftly gained acceptance from the orthopedic cases performed by Dr. Jose V. De los Santos, Sr. He never rested on his laurels for he also spearheaded the establishment of the National Orthopedic Association. So in 1979, the De Los Santos Clinic expanded to what is now known as the De Los Santos Medical Center, a tertiary hospital with complete diagnostic facilities and medical services. And in 1995, the JVS, Sr. Foundation, a non-stock corporation devoted to medical research and charity work for the less fortunate, was established in his honor. Dr. JV, as his staff fondly called him, is a role model in the practice of Christian love for neighbor and stewardship of God’s gift to humanity. Until the last few days of his life, he did not miss his daily hospital rounds and the usual clinic hours, which he promptly started at 9:00 in the morning. Indeed, Dr. JV will forever remain in the hearts and memories of those whose lives he has warmly touched.