Polio did not make Cecilia lose her enthusiasm to become a rheumatic doctor

Cecilia’s struggles didn’t stop with rheumatism, gout and polio. He is also trusted by his fellow doctors to join the organization. Starting from being active in the organization of IDI, the Indonesian Rheumatology Association, and helping in the rheumatology division of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta.

“I didn’t understand much about organization. Yes, when I was in middle school I was the head of the Catholic Student Association, but right, kids are just like that, they deal with the competition, even in high school,” she explained.

“After my return from Australia, I joined the Indonesian Rheumatology Association. At that time there weren’t many rheumatism experts, there were still about 20 rheumatism doctors all over Indonesia and I was also helping in the rheumatology division of the RSCM.”

Furthermore, Cecilia has been working in IDI since 1998 continuing as President of West Jakarta branch of IDI for 2019 – 2025. She received an invitation to join the management but at first she thought whether her choice was the right one or Not.

“I was afraid to become president, at that time I still refused because it was impossible, we have to be an organizer or a clinician, clinician or researcher. Yes, we have to make sure that if I want to be an organizer, be a good organizer,” she said.

“If I want to be a researcher, be a good researcher. If I want to be a doctor who only takes care of patients, I have to be a good doctor. But due to the encouragement of friends, they said, I was right, both as a doctor and as an organizer. Now I’m starting to worry less about research, researchers need active time.”

Subsequently, Cecilia was asked to become the president of the West Jakarta branch of the IDI in 2019, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, she was faced with a challenging job, which is to take part in the management of the pandemic.

“I can’t help it anymore. Wow, as soon as I became president, we immediately ran into a pandemic. Many doctor friends have not been vaccinated, even doctors have fallen. I said, it’s not possible, you just have to wash your hands, wear a mask and social distancing (keep your distance),” added Cecilia, closing the conversation.

“Eventually, we will start the vaccination against COVID-19. I focus on vaccination monitoring for all members, I have to do them, because it was also difficult to find vaccines in the beginning. Thanks to the good cooperation with the local Health Sub-agency and to the collaboration with the central IDI, all the doctors in my house have received the vaccines.