By Leo Udtohan
For 31-year-old Mark Johnuel Matabilas Duavis who placed 10th in the October 2022 physician licensure examination, he wants to stay in the country to serve his fellowmen.
"I would probably stay in the country," said Duavis, a native of Buenavista town in Bohol province.
He said for the longest time, he wanted to become a physician but his family is just not able to support him financially.
"Without the help of Department of Health, University of Cebu- School of Medicine and the taxpayers, I could have not realized this dream. Without the scholarship I could never make it to become a doctor. I owe this success to everyone. So paying it forward, I would like to serve the people who have made this dream a big reality," said Duavis, who is also a registered nurse.
God’s will
Duavis had an average of 87. He shared the same spot with other four passers. He said it was God's will he made it to the top 10.
"It feels surreal. After the second and third subjects, I already told myself that this is probably not for me, that being part of that list would be too lofty of an aspiration. Answering through the 4th to the 12th subject, I just surrendered everything to Him and allowed him to work His miracles for me. When the results came out, it was a total shock. It really made me cry. It was something beyond my hands. It was His will and His intercession that really made a spot for me in the top 10," Duavis shared.
Like other examinees, he prepared for the exam. He began allocating a particular number of hours per day for review especially on subjects that he was not very good at. After clerkship, he went to post-graduate internship where a bigger chunk of his time was dedicated to reviewing for the boards.
He said it was a monotonous cycle of sleeping, waking up, eating, studying and studying repeated for the entire four months.
Duavis shared that he had no secret in topping the exam.
"I think it was not really much of a secret but I did make sure I follow my schedule. Medicine is such a vast field and there are just so many subjects, specialties and concepts that you need to digest. Sticking to a good schedule and game plan really made a huge difference. Also, I spare an hour in between study periods for meal and nap breaks. I also give time to play with my dog, play the Nintendo Switch and watch something that is not medically related. Somehow it managed to make me sane until the four-month review season finally reached an end. I also made sure to have at least six hours of sleep everyday. You really cannot afford to be sick because it derails your schedule. Nevertheless, the abovementioned, I think, were not really secrets since a lot of medical students that I know have the same gameplan. I also think it probably boiled down to diligence and determination," he shared.
Pride of Bohol
For the people of Buenavista, Duavis brought pride and honor to his hometown and the province of Bohol.
"Mark is making history as the first topnotcher in physician licensure examination in Buenavista. He is an inspiration to the young people that constant efforts, patience and perseverance, clubbed with strong determination can bring you success," said Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo.
The mayor said a cash incentive and plaque of recognition will be given to Duavis based on municipal ordinance in 2014.
He will also have his new car as the University of Cebu, Banilad campus continues to reward its board exam topnotchers with brand new cars.
"The tradition continues. This Toyota Wigo Car, a gift from our Chairman, Atty. Augusto Go is waiting for our OCTOBER Physician Licensure Examination board placer Dr. Mark Johnuel Duavis. Congratulations," read the Facebook post of the University of Cebu College of Medicine.
Valedictorian
Duavis' father Noel, 53, is a school district supervisor in Inabanga, while his mother Marilu, 53, is a public school nurse in Inabanga and Buenavista towns.
He has two siblings: Jay Mark, 30, and Myra Lou, 23.
Duavis finished his elementary at Cangawa Elem. School in his hometown as class valedictorian. At Cangawa National High School, he also graduated valedictorian.
He studied Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Bohol (UB) while being involved in extra-curricular activities in school and Samahang Kabataan Volunteers Club. He was crowned Mister UB Personality 2009 and first runner-up in Mister and Miss Teen Bohol 2009.
Duavis passed the nursing licensure examination in 2011. He took up Master of Science in Nursing major in Medical Surgical Nursing in 2018 at Cebu Normal University.
He graduated cum laude and class valedictorian at University of Cebu- School of Medicine.
He earned his Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management and Development at Ateneo de Manila University, Center for Organization, Research and Development and diploma in Transformation Leadership in Health Communication, Communication for Communicators School managed by Johns Hopkins University Center for Communications Program and Asian Institute of Management- Zuellig Center of Development Management.
Never give up
He is not new to community health service since he worked as a community health nurse at Department of Health (DOH), he then worked as project associate at Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis and became a training officer at DOH Region VII.
Duavis plans to get a residency in Internal Medicine.
His advised to students: “Never give up on your dreams no matter how siguro impossible it may seem because once you strive to aspire and do whatever it takes to reach that it will happen. I do hope everyone will be able to take on the challenge whatever your heart’s desire. Grab it. Life is just once. You don't want to spend the entirety of life regretful for things you have not done or you always wanted to do or not given the chance.”
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