2007 Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards

Health Care : Dr. Connie Mariano
Sponsored by Seton Health Services Foundation

Imagine having access to medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week no matter where you are in the world. When you make an appearance at the doctor’s office, you’re treated like a VIP the moment you walk through the door. This is the kind of service provided by the Center for Executive Medicine (CEM) in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded by Dr. Connie Mariano.

In 2005, Mariano chose to go into her own practice after her patients at the Mayo Clinic wanted her to be their full-time doctor; they didn’t just want to see her once-a-year, but year-round. At the time, she was the Executive Health Program consultant, looking out for the well being of corporate presidents and CEOs, a position she held for 4 1/2 years.

At CEM, Mariano looks after a maximum of 300 patients who pay a membership fee for her services. The patients not only receive around-the-clock access to Mariano, but also same or next-day appointments, facilitated appointments with the Mayo Clinic, traveler’s clinic and immunizations, and an appointment reminder service. Typically known as a “boutique” or “concierge” practice, Mariano refers to it as “personalized presidential quality care.”

“In a lot of ways, the type of care I provide now is very similar to the type of care I provided the President of the United States,” she says.

The daughter of a former Navy steward and a dentist, Mariano made history in 1992 when she became the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician. Two years later she became the director of the White House Medical Unit and was picked by then-President Bill Clinton to be his personal physician. Looking after the First Family’s health (as well as Vice President Al Gore’s family) “was a tremendous adrenaline rush,” says the Sangley Point, Cavite-born Mariano.

“There was never a dull moment. Your life revolved around the most powerful man in the United States. When you are in that inner circle, you’re in the elevator with him, in the helicopter and you know a good day or a bad day. The balance is you’re there to take care of them, but you also want to give them their privacy because you’re in the middle of everything,” she says. Mariano left the White House in 2001.

The mother of two is also the first Filipino American in history to become a Navy admiral. She remembers that during the promotion ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House (“My family, heritage and my people have always served in dining rooms,” Mariano says of its significance), her father’s hand trembled as he placed his daughter’s new shoulder board. “I was so touched by that,” she says. Mariano’s father, Angel, served in the Navy for 30 years.

“I think that when I was promoted, it exemplified that the nation accepted being a Filipino wasn’t a disadvantage, that they have paid their dues, worked really hard and that our cultural values of respecting our elders and our faith are important in getting ahead in the world,” says Mariano.

An internal medicine specialist, Mariano obtained her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. She finished her internship and residency at the Naval Hospital in San Diego. Mariano retired from the Navy in June 2001 after 24 years of service.

Souvenir Programme