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Submitted by Robin Schimmel
Little Kanawha Area Rural Health Education Partnerships (RHEP) would like to
welcome back Jerome Aya-ay. He is currently attending Marshall University as a third year medical student and plans on
graduating in May 2004. Medical students are required to complete rural rotations before being able to graduate. RHEP
places medical students in hospitals and clinics with preceptors to fulfill their rotation requirements. Jerome worked with Dr.
Hande, as well as other health professionals, at Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center and was even able to get in some
valuable time working with his father Dr. Juanito Aya-ay. Dr. Aya-ay is working on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at MHHCC
from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Jerome is originally from Calhoun County and graduated from High School in 1990. On the first day of his rotation, he
spent the day getting reacquainted with everyone. He was excited to see old friends and the progress made throughout the
county. Jerome visited the new High School and spoke with some of his former teachers and also toured his father's office
that has been newly renovated by Minnie Hamilton. While on rotation, Jerome completed a valuable community service
activity at the Arnoldsburg Health Fair on Wednesday, May 7th. He monitored the skin analyzer station and answered any
medical concerns that people had regarding sun damage. The skin analyzer was on loan from the American Cancer Society
and RHEP is very thankful for its use.
Jerome and his father, Dr. Aya-ay
Jerome chose Grantsville for his rural rotation because it gave him a chance to see old friends and be in a familiar
neighborhood; but more importantly, because he "wanted to spend some time with his father and see him in action maybe
even learn of few thingsâ¦" Jerome went on to say that his father has "taught me a lot, probably more than he thinks." Dr.
Aya-ay has served Calhoun County for the last 31 years. He graduated from Saint Thomas School of Medicine and
completed his residence in St. Johns Episcopal in Brooklyn, NY (now called Interfaith Hospital). Dr. Aya-ay chose to
practice in Grantsville because the area was similar to a town he was fond of in the Philippines.
When Jerome was asked for a final opinion of his rotation he had this to say, "I was very impressed with Minnie Hamilton
Health Care Clinic. They have some very fine, qualified, and professional doctors, mid-levels and ancillary staff. Minnie
Hamilton surprised me with its' advancements in technology that will aid in diagnoses, like state of the art CT scan with
helical capabilities to find kidney stones or pulmonary embolisms. Additionally, MHHCC will soon open their sleep
lab."
Upon graduation, Jerome plans to complete a residency in Family Practice or Internal Medicine and he is still entertaining the
thought of a residency in surgery. He hopes one day to work in a community such as this one, if not here.
Little Kanawha Area RHEP was pleased to have Jerome as a medical student and we hope that he is able to return next
year!
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