Living abroad is a continuous learning experience as one gets to mingle with people of different nationalities and learn about their cultures. H.E. Dr. Edna Joyce Santos, a seasoned ophthalmologist who has been living in the UAE for more than two decades now, said that living overseas taught her to be independent, and at the same time she learned how to be more tolerant and understanding of people from different races, cultures, and religious backgrounds.
Dr. Edna Joyce Santos, with a professional background spanning across roles as a Medical Doctor, Ophthalmologist, Philanthropist, Humanitarian Psychologist, Author, and Biographer, has had a significant impact in multiple spheres. She graduated as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Far Eastern University and holds a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology from the University of the Philippines.
Over the years, Dr. Edna has held several notable positions. She’s the Co-Founder and Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Care Innovations Inc. and Prolific Fund International Carbon Registry. Currently, she serves as the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Union Medical and Dental Center, Ras AL Khaimah, UAE and the Humanitarian Head for Deuchakar Trust UK. She is the Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Consultant for Asia for VisionAfric, an organization at the forefront for Africa’s unification, emancipation, and transformation.
Moreover, she is the Secretary-General for the Royal Movement International Group, Co-Chairperson for African Investors Council (AIC), Vice-president for West Asia for the World Economic Forum For Asia-Africa WEFAA. Dr. Edna also holds positions as the Global Gold Ambassador for Culture, CMO for Best Star Holding, EVP for Corax Trading Netherlands and Middle East, LLC, and Ambassador of Peace for INSPAD. She is also the Chief Global Communications Officer at Bianchetto Global Life Sciences Consultants Sarl of Switzerland, and was the Former Chair of Global Goodwill Ambassadors for the UAE, and a Team Partner at Pan Pacific Finance Group of Singapore.
In her long-spanning career, she had also been the Past-President of the Philippine Medical Women’s Association in Lucena-Quezon and the Past-President of the Southern Tagalog Society of Ophthalmology. She was a member of the Board of Directors of MMG (Medical Mission Group) of Hospitals in the Philippines, and was the head of the department of Ophthalmology of various hospitals in both the Philippines and the UAE. Furthermore, she is the Global Ambassador for the Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club.
Dr. Edna’s leadership has not gone unnoticed. She has numerous international excellence awards in her name, recognizing her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts. Her roles as an inspirational keynote speaker at both and global events (summits and conferences) and her contributions as an author, biographer, and researcher showcase her vast influence across the globe.
She is also a certified professional consultant for a host of reputable companies and organizations, namely, WEFSECH OCEANEXUS SOLUTIONS, to Engrid Solutions, Dubai UAE, and Sheema Africa Safari in Kampala, Uganda. Furthermore, she stands as the Brand Ambassador for Power-tap Technology, Capetown, South Africa, emphasizing grassroots initiatives for Africa as well as a Member of the Board of Advisers for LINBIZ Magazine and Women Ascension.
Dr. Edna shared that she never found it difficult to be accepted by her colleagues in the UAE. Her parents had always taught her to be independent, confident in her abilities, and to be a proud Filipino. She always carried with her the values she had been taught, especially the four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz:
- Always be impeccable with your words.
- Do not take things personally.
- Do not make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
Once a doctor, always a doctor, she often says.
“It is in my heart and will be my legacy. I aim to help build cities of Refuge and Safehaven worldwide, contributing to the socio-economic development of our country and other nations,” she further added.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned during my stay abroad is that you can only truly depend on yourself. Always remember why you chose to be abroad in the first place,” she concluded.