Daily TribuneHis lessons live on in each patient we treat and in every decision we make, a lasting testament to a life extraordinarily well-lived.
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Dr. Alonso was teaching us more than nephrology. He was teaching us to be good doctors, yes, but more importantly, good people.
Dr. Alonso was teaching us more than nephrology. He was teaching us to be good doctors, yes, but more importantly, good people.
#danieltalaveraphoto
Every medical student has that one professor — the one whose teachings transcend textbooks, whose lessons linger long after rounds are finished, and whose example shapes not just how we practice medicine, but who we become as doctors. For me, and for countless others who walked the halls of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), that professor was Dr. Raymond S. Alonso.
Dr. Alonso, who recently left us on 24 May, was more than just a brilliant nephrologist. He was a legend, often affectionately called the “Dean of Dialysis.” But beneath the intimidating brilliance and stern demeanor was a man who deeply cared about every patient and trainee he encountered.
My first vivid memory of Dr. Alonso was in my second year of medical school. Standing nervously in front of a complex kidney patient case presentation, my heart pounding in rhythm with the ticking wall clock, I remember how he scrutinized every slide and question. His questions were tough — mercilessly tough. But then came his trademark grin and quick-witted humor, effortlessly easing the tension he had masterfully built. I realized then he wasn’t just testing our knowledge; he was pushing us to think critically, compassionately, and courageously.
Few knew this, but Dr. Alonso was one of my “phone-a-friends.” Even though I trained abroad after medical school, and even though my presence at PGH could never match his, he was always there for me — quietly and generously offering advice. Many dialysis patients early in my career benefited from having someone like Sir Raymond to call for help. He was more than a mentor; he was a genuine friend.
Throughout his decades-long career, Dr. Alonso shaped nephrology training at PGH, raising a generation of kidney specialists with an uncompromising standard of excellence. He taught with intensity yet warmth, never settling for mediocrity, always pushing us to look deeper, think harder, and care more genuinely.
He was a clinician first and foremost, known for his razor-sharp diagnostic insights. His clinical acumen was unmatched — legendary cases became teaching points we discussed years later, always accompanied by his trademark humor and ice-cold Diet Coke.
Beyond his clinical and teaching prowess, Dr. Alonso was deeply respected in the academic and medical communities. His research contributed significantly to our understanding of kidney diseases prevalent among Filipinos. Yet, his greatest legacy isn’t just his scholarly achievements but the values he instilled in each trainee: humility, empathy and integrity.
His passing sparked an outpouring of stories from students, colleagues, and patients alike — each tale adding another layer to the legacy he leaves behind. These stories reveal a man who was tough yet kind, strict yet humorous, uncompromising yet deeply compassionate.
As we bid farewell, my thoughts go back to that nervous student presentation, and I realize Dr. Alonso was teaching us more than nephrology. He was teaching us to be good doctors, yes, but more importantly, good people. His lessons live on in each patient we treat and in every decision we make, a lasting testament to a life extraordinarily well-lived.
To the Dean of Dialysis — our mentor, our teacher, our friend — we say thank you, and goodbye. Save us a Diet Coke up there, Doc. You’ve certainly earned your rest.
