TJC Accredited
3 consecutive terms
(Wednesday, June 5, 2024; Dededo, Guam) On Thursday, March 28, 2024, Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) proudly announced the recipient of its 2023 Physician of the Year award at a ceremony held in the hospital’s 1st floor lobby. Each year, the GRMC employees select a physician who exemplifies GRMC’s iCARE values: innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence. This year’s distinguished awardee is Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Carmelino Galang.
The announcement of Dr. Galang’s selection was met with enthusiasm as his photo was unveiled on a pull-down banner during the Physician of the Year (POTY) event, attended by numerous staff and physicians. The award was presented to Dr. Galang by GRMC CEO, Dr. Alexander “Beau” Wielaard, and Chief Human Resources Officer, Charlotte Huntsman. Dr. Galang achieved a decisive victory, receiving over 100 votes more than the second-place candidate, in a pool of over 100 physicians at GRMC.
In his emotional acceptance speech, Dr. Galang expressed his surprise and gratitude for the honor, attributing his success to the unwavering support of his colleagues, support staff, and patients. He emphasized the pivotal role of teamwork in achieving excellence in patient care, stating, “We are nothing without our patients.”
Dr. Wielaard commended Dr. Galang’s longstanding commitment and invaluable contributions to GRMC, remarking, “Dr. Galang has been an integral part of our team since the inception of GRMC. He epitomizes the core values of our organization and serves as a driving force in our mission to deliver exceptional healthcare. We are immensely grateful for his dedication.”
Dr. Carmelino Galang is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with over 35 years of experience in treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including joint replacements, arthroscopic knee surgery, and orthopedic trauma. Prior to joining GRMC, Dr. Galang served on the orthopedic staff at various renowned medical institutions, including San Joaquin General Hospital in California, Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii, VA Medical Center in Virginia, and Littleton Regional Hospital in New Hampshire.
Dr. Galang’s extensive medical education includes a medical degree from the University of the Philippines. Following this, he underwent a surgical internship at the Hurley Medical Center and residency training at Wayne State University, both located in Michigan. He furthered his training by completing his Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship at The Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in Louisiana. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and holds licenses to practice in Guam, California, Virginia, and the Philippines.
The recognition of Dr. Galang as the 2023 Physician of the Year marks the third consecutive year of GRMC’s esteemed awards ceremony, celebrating excellence in healthcare leadership and service.