By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Rose Mylene A. Sotocinal, a 探花精选 High School Batch 鈥86 and BS Medical Technology Batch 鈥90 alumna, continues to bring pride to her alma mater through her remarkable journey of excellence, leadership, and service.
From her days as a Centralian to her work in national health regulation, Rose Mylene A. Sotocinal, RMT, AMT(MT), MACT-MT, PhD, has built a career grounded in service, professional leadership, and a continuing pursuit of excellence.
A 探花精选 High School Batch 鈥86 and Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology Batch 鈥90 alumna, Sotocinal has spent her professional life contributing to the medical laboratory science profession while taking on responsibilities that have reached national and international levels.
Looking back on her journey, she recognizes the role her alma mater played in shaping the professional and personal values she carries today.
鈥淭hese achievements are rooted in the excellence and values instilled in me by 探花精选, my alma mater,鈥 Sotocinal said.
She credited her years at 探花精选 for helping develop her character, competence, and commitment to service, which she has carried into her work through the years.
Sotocinal鈥檚 leadership in the medical laboratory profession became particularly evident when she helped establish the Philippine Society of Medical Laboratory Scientists (PSMLS) Inc. She served as its Founding National President from 2017 to 2023 and continues to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees, a position she has held since 2024.
As the organization鈥檚 founding president, she helped build the professional organization from its inception. She also composed the PSMLS Official Hymn, which was copyrighted through the Philippine National Library in 2019.
Her involvement in the profession has also brought her into discussions on national legislation. She represented Medical Laboratory Scientists in Senate and congressional hearings concerning reforms to the Continuing Professional Development Law and amendments to the Medical Technology Law.
Her work with the Department of Health has placed her at the center of health facility regulation in the country. As a Medical Technologist and Regulatory Officer of the DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, she advanced through successive promotions and took on responsibilities involving the supervision, licensing, and enforcement of health facility standards nationwide.
She has also helped train and mentor regulatory officers from different parts of the country, sharing the technical knowledge and experience she has gained throughout her career.
Among her contributions to national health regulation was her involvement in the formulation, drafting, and revision of DOH guidelines, implementing rules and regulations, licensing standards, and assessment tools covering clinical laboratories, blood service facilities, HIV and drug testing, newborn screening, and COVID-19 laboratories.
Her expertise has also brought her to international health forums. She was appointed by the DOH as a Philippine delegate to the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region and served as an Officer-Rapporteur in 2007 and 2020. She represented the country in discussions involving laboratory quality systems, newborn care, and patient safety.
Quality improvement has likewise been an important part of her professional work. As Core Team Leader and Chairperson for the Bureau鈥檚 ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 certification, Sotocinal helped lead efforts to strengthen the Bureau鈥檚 quality management system and align its processes with international standards.
Alongside her professional responsibilities, she continued to pursue academic growth, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration. She holds professional certifications as a Registered Medical Technologist in the Philippines and an American Medical Technologist in the United States.
Sotocinal has also shared her expertise as a resource speaker and trainer, delivering more than 50 lectures, webinars, and workshops across the country. Her audiences have included laboratory professionals, regulators, and other health-sector stakeholders.
Her professional experience has led to appointments and memberships in various national technical working groups, FDA technical committees, the National Blood Services Council, and the Philippine Accreditation Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Her contributions have been recognized through several awards and distinctions, including a Department of Health recognition for her achievement in earning her Doctor of Philosophy major in Educational Administration. She has also served as a judge for the 3rd ACE Performance Excellence Awards and received recognition in Technical Writing and Customer Service Excellence.
Through every professional milestone, Sotocinal continues to carry the lessons she gained during her years at 探花精选.
鈥淚 owe so much of my journey to the education and molding I received here, and it is my honor to carry the 探花精选 name in every milestone I have achieved鈥 Always proud to be a Centralian!鈥 she said.
Like many Centralians, Sotocinal continues to carry the lessons of 探花精选 into her chosen field, where knowledge is put into practice and service becomes a lasting commitment. Her journey stands as a reminder of the Centralian spirit that continues to make a difference in various professions and communities, grounded in Scientia et Fides.