23 July 2015 – Philippine Consul General to Agana Marciano R. de Borja joined other dignitaries and some 600 guests from Guam, the Philippines, and across Micronesia during the grand opening and inauguration of the Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC). The grand opening ceremony began with an invocation delivered by Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron.
In her remarks that followed, GRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Margaret Bengzon thanked those who had been involved in making the vision of having the first private hospital on Guam a reality. She spoke of the many challenges that the project faced at every stage of its implementation, but perseverance and faith in what the vision would mean for the health of the people of Guam gave everyone on the team the resolve to see through every challenge and hurdle.
The Medical City President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon also delivered remarks on the occasion. He beamed with pride when he noted that the occasion signaled the reality that the $240 million dollar investment of The Medical City has become the first Philippine hospital to open on U.S. soil. He also recounted the personal challenges that GRMC CEO Margaret Bengzon had to face as the project kept her away from her family. Dr. Bengzon emphasized how accountability and community are key aspects of The Medical City’s core principle of having patients as partners in their health care needs.
Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo in her remarks expressed appreciation at the investment in health care that will ensure that Guam families no longer have to suffer the financial and emotional burden of getting specialized medical care from off-island. For his part, Guam Governor Eddie Calvo emphasized that the inauguration of the GRMC represents an investment that directly impacts the lives and well-being of the people of Guam.
With the opening of GRMC, the people of Guam and from across Micronesia now have access to a 130-bed acute care facility that is capable of offering a wide array of specialized health care services. END