“Sabi nga nila, baka yung time na binibreak ka, doon din [may] ginagawa si Lord — binibuild din Niya yung [isang malaking] blessing. Dumating man yung time ng brokenness mo, dadating din yung time ng breakthrough mo.” — Dr. Hannah Febe Ruth A. Yee
Guided by faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of her community, Dr. Hannah Febe Ruth A. Yee, faculty member of the Wesleyan University–Philippines (WUP) College of Medicine (COM), passed the October 2025 Physicians Licensure Examination.
A proud Wesleyanian, Dr. Yee is a High School alumna of WUP (2011) who graduated with honors. She described her success as both unexpected and grace-filled.
“Hindi ko lang din talaga siya in-expect. Kaya thankful ako sa Wesleyan, kasi nung nag-start ako ng work, hindi pa ako nag-e-exam… pero alam ko dahil alumna [ako], gusto ko rin naman talagang bumalik para makapag-give back sa University,” she expressed.
Before reaching this milestone, Dr. Yee’s journey was shaped by faith, family, and the encouragement of mentors who believed in her potential. She credited Dr. Ian Val C. Uy, Dean of the College of Medicine, for reigniting her passion for medicine.
“Sabi ni Dean, “Alam mo, mas magiging inclined ka ulit sa medicine if you work in [the] College of Medicine,’ sabi niyang ganun, ‘para mabalik din yung fire mo.”
She also drew strength from Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lambon, Associate Dean, who constantly reminded her, “I believe this is your year.”
Her family—her husband, daughter, and loved ones—became her anchor during moments of delay and doubt.
“And of course, [malaking inspiration din] yung family ko — yung anak ko, asawa, mga kaibigan ko… twice akong na-COVID actually. And then I had a difficult pregnancy, so I had to sacrifice a few years. Pero in God’s timing nga po talaga, no? ‘Nandito, ito talaga yung perfect timeline ni Lord,’ na even if it took a few years.”
Dr. Yee expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire College of Medicine community, acknowledging how every faculty member became part of a strong support system that guided her through the most challenging times.
Balancing her review, work, and family life required careful discipline. She worked half days at WUP and dedicated her afternoons to studying and caring for her family, with the support of her superiors.
“Paminsan, kapag wala namang masyadong office work — very mabait naman si Dean to allow me na mag-review during those times na nasa office ako,” she shared.
Yet the road to the board exam was not without pain. Dr. Yee lost two of her greatest inspirations before taking the test. Her Uncle Dennis, who raised her like a second father, passed away due to liver cancer.
“I lost my ano eh… my uncle. ..He died of liver cancer. Sabi niya noon, hindi siya naniniwala sa doktor, pero nung nag-doktor ako, sabi niya, ‘Pag nakuha mo yung lisensya mo, sa’yo ako magpapagamot.’ Sadly, bago ako makapag-exam… he’s gone. I promised him, ‘Ipapakita ko sa’yo lisensya ko pagkatapos.’”
She also lost her grandmother during the pandemic—an experience that reshaped her perspective as a doctor.
“We are in the profession of saving lives. And then I think God showed me that not all the time you can heal people. Yes, there will be times talaga na it will be hard for you, kasi meron at meron kang [mawawalang] people — even the people you love. Pero what will you do? Can you be strong enough for this?”
In the weeks leading to the board exam, her father and daughter also suffered from pneumonia, leaving her uncertain whether to proceed.
“Kaya [sa] very last minute before boards, nag-iisip talaga ako — magte-take ba ako or hindi? Take the risk or not? And then naalala ko, ‘Andito na ako, Tito eh. Ano, ilaban na ba natin?’ Sabi nga nila, baka yung time na binibreak ka, doon din [may] ginagawa si Lord — binibuild din Niya yung [isang malaking] blessing. Dumating man yung time ng brokenness mo, dadating din yung time ng breakthrough mo.”
Through these trials, Dr. Yee held on to faith and resilience, believing that brokenness is often the path to breakthrough.
“It’s never too late. There’s no time limit naman for your dreams — there’s no age limit, especially for medicine. The only time you fail is when you stop trying,” she said.
Now a licensed physician, Dr. Yee looks forward to serving the University and its students with a deeper commitment.
“I think I can help my college better. I can be more flexible,” she explained.
She ended her reflection with heartfelt gratitude to her alma mater:
“Thank you, Wesleyan University-Philippines, for allowing me to come back and serve the university once again. I plan to help the university as much as I can.”
Photos courtesy of Ayumi San Cai Valerio and College of Medicine
