Pediatric nephrologist Dr. Connie Uy announces retirement after 50 years

Dancing at her retirement party; soon writing her memoir. The FilAm Photo

Dancing at her retirement party; soon writing her memoir. The FilAm Photo

By Cristina DC Pastor

On January 2, 2018, the Filipinos of New Jersey will lose a beloved ‘pillar’ of the medical community.

Constancia ‘Connie’ Uy, one of only 11 pediatric nephrologists in the state, announced her retirement on November 19 after 50 years of service as a doctor and an educator. As a doctor, she specialized in treating kidney disorders in children; as an educator she was professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers University and director of Pediatric Nephrology, among many roles and titles.

“When do I retire?” Connie began to mull the question three years ago, imagining herself on a never-ending vacation with her husband of 45 years, Nestor, a retired corporate accountant.

“There was ambivalence for me on when to retire. Nestor has been retired for the past 10 years, should I stay home? Work on projects together and share the countless blessings that we can explore together? Knowing 90 percent of my classmates are retired, should I join their ranks?” She fought back tears as she spoke at her retirement party held at East Hanover Manor in New Jersey.

The decision to retire firmed up after endless discussions with people close to her. In January, Connie is officially a retired physician.

Her children, fellow doctors, and friends from college took turns commending Connie for her professionalism, nurturing kindness, hard work, dedication to children, even her determined quest to cook the perfect adobo.

Connie Somera Uy through the years. The FilAm Photo

Connie Somera Uy through the years. The FilAm Photo

“She was Wonder Woman,” one of her friends, Dr. Zenda Garcia Lat, said.

Connie’s journey into New Jersey’s pediatric care history began in 1967 when she graduated from medical school at the University of the Philippines. A “big decision” for her then was whether to stay in the Philippines or to come to the United States for postgraduate training. She decided to go to Milwaukee for her internship and then moved to New Jersey for her pediatric residency.

“Peer pressures from classmates to travel, the adventure of the unknown and the economic incentive were all the factors that made me decide to come to this country,” she said.

Her initial interest in pediatric cardiology would be set aside after spending some time at Martland Hospital in Newark, and seeing patients with nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal disease and hypertension.

Four doctors, who would later become her friends and colleagues, inspired Connie. It was Dr. Joan Arboit’s patients she first treated at Martland. She described Dr. Burton Fine as “that person who drills you to think logically, to be inquisitive and to be critical of the scientific literature.” Dr. Richard Rapkin encouraged Connie to pursue new horizons and supported her professional development by giving her deeper responsibilities. Dr. Geraldine Silkans taught Connie renal biopsies and dialysis.

Surrounded by her family -- husband Nestor and children Lawrence, Darryl and Natalie -- after delivering her speech. Photo by Rose Pantoja Javier

Surrounded by her family — husband Nestor and children Lawrence, Darryl and Natalie — after delivering her speech. Photo by Rose Pantoja Javier

“My career was challenging and rewarding. I did my best and I was well rewarded in kind and in friendship,” said Connie.

For 20 years, she worked at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital in Newark. And although she has performed laudable work as a doctor, Connie has not forgotten her FilAm community. No matter how busy, she has kept her commitments as chair of PAFCOM board, national president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, president of the Philippine-American Medical Society in New Jersey, just to name some of the organizations she leads.

Connie was the first Filipina to receive the New Jersey Woman of Achievement Award. In New York, she was among those honored by the prestigious Society of Foreign Consuls as one of the distinguished women leaders of the city on International Women’s Day. Her honors, awards, and recognition are much too many to mention.

Ambassador Mario de Leon Jr., who spoke at the retirement party, thanked Dra. Connie “for all you have done for the different communities you have unselfishly served – the physicians, nurses, the academics, and the Filipino community.” He said, “Dra. Connie was an excellent pediatrician, a dedicated educator, and an exemplary leader of both the Filipino and international community.

Connie and Nestor have three children. Lawrence, the oldest, works in IT; middle child Darryl is director of Admission at Bates University in Maine; and Natalie, the youngest, is also a pediatric nephrologist. They are the only mother-daughter pediatric nephrologists in the U.S., another first for Connie. She looks forward to spending more time with them as well as the freedom to pursue her interests in gardening and going to theaters.

For now, life after retirement includes a long vacation in the Philippines and writing her memoir. Connie isn’t done yet.

© The FilAm 2017

With officers and members of PAFCOM, where she is board chair and credited with having professionalized the organization. Photo by Lumen Castaneda

With officers and members of PAFCOM, where she is board chair and credited with having professionalized the organization. Photo by Lumen Castaneda



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