Greetings!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Philippine Society of Echocardiography for giving me the trust to steer our organization for the next two years. With passion for echocardiography, I am compelled to accept the responsibilities as president of PSE for year 2014 to 2016. I started working closely with the organization as Chair of the PHA Council on Echocardiography in 2005 until 2008. Then, having developed the passion for doing more for echocardiography, I was elected member of the PSE Board in September 2008. Now I face the challenge to steer the organization towards its Mission and Vision.

I stand before you, with no extraordinary skill nor talent but with the dedication to act faithfully as a conductor of an orchestra bringing everyone in harmony to produce an excellent rendition. The PSE has grown in its membership for the past 25 years, initiated by few pioneering members with like-mindedness to keep the practice of echocardiography in the Philippines growing towards a common mission. I, together with the members of the PSE board acting as orchestra conductors, encourage all members to be active stakeholders in order to make our organization relevant locally and internationally. The active participation of all PSE members who have varied talents and interests is the major determinant of where we are going to be in the next few years.

In behalf of the members of the board, I thank Dr. Homobono B. Calleja, the founding father of the Philippine Society of Echocardiography, for his presence in almost all activities that often sparks our individual dedication to PSE. Likewise, the inspiration made by all the past presidents of PSE as they led the organization make us feel lucky for what the PSE has become. Over the years, our leaders established and maintained the strength of our organization which is the exemplary close coordination of the Philippine Society of Echocardiography and Philippine Heart Association through the Council on Echocardiography. We intend to sustain this tradition and operate accordingly.

As we work together, may I remind everyone that our organization has been guided by a Mission and Vision. Please allow me then to state them as follows:

VISION: Quality Echocardiography by competent professionals for every patient

MISSION: We are an organization of dedicated, like-minded professionals with a passion for excellence in the knowledge and the application of quality echocardiography

WE COMMIT TO:

Enhance the knowledge of the members by CME and emphasize adherence to competency guidelines.
Care for our patients through the accurate and comprehensive use of echocardiography
Hone the technical and research skills of fellows and technologists and highlight the level 3 curriculums in training hospitals.
Oversee and uphold the delivery of quality imaging in all training and echocardiography laboratories.

As we move to realize our mission and vision, this term will continue what has been started in the previous years and focus on the following agenda:

1. Full implementation of the Philippine Competency Guidelines in Echocardiography
2. Silver Anniversary Celebration
3. Improvement in internal and external communication
4. Institutionalization of CME Program
5. Computerization of membership information
6. Financial Stability
7. Relevance of internal laws, policies and procedures

These agenda consider the perspective of the members, patients and other stakeholders, internal perspective, learning and growth perspective and financial perspective. To be highlighted will be the implementation of the Philippine competency guidelines in echocardiography and the recognition of the 25th year anniversary of the foundation of the Philippine Society of Echocardiography.

As I encourage everyone to be actively involved in the organization, may I share what a father told his son several years ago when he said, "YOUR ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE."

Dr. Edwin S. Tucay