How Akeanons in the US helps in the healing process after COVID-19 pandemic

KALIBO, Aklan- Several Akeanons in the United States of America have been contributing to the mental health of thousands of Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) by effectively combining health and entertainment.
One of those Akeanons is Maria Theresa Quimora (Maria Damian), who was raised in Barangay Estancia, Kalibo Aklan.

Damian was one of the two Akeanons who have been named in this year’s Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) in the USA. Along with her is Tommie Mopia, who was also raised in Makato, Aklan.

Damian said that she was a nurse by profession for 30 years.

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she started her own in-patient dialysis service, Legacy Dialysis. As the founder and visionary behind a thriving healthcare services business, Maria Theresa has exemplified unparalleled entrepreneurship and leadership.
Under her astute guidance, the business has flourished, expanding to encompass 12 locations across California and providing vital healthcare services to countless individuals. At that time, dialysis was used as part of the treatment modality to manage the symptoms of COVID-19.

Despite many challenges that she had to hurdle, including staffing shortages due to nurses leaving the profession, she managed to have exponential growth in the company. Her entrepreneurial acumen has not only transformed the healthcare landscape but has also created numerous employment opportunities, fostering economic growth within the community.

According to the Pew Research Center, at least 41 percent of the total population in the USA has felt high levels of psychological distress. Many of them were adults, especially from the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) community.

Aside from serving in the health sector, Damian goes further by engaging in the entertainment industry to boost her service to combat depression in the USA.

She is also a consummate volunteer and community activist, dedicating her time, resources, and energy to various causes that uplift and empower others.

She also founded the esteemed Route 66 Museum in Southern California. She has preserved the rich heritage of the region, allowing visitors to connect with the past and appreciate the cultural diversity of the area.

In addition to her museum ownership, Maria Theresa is deeply involved with numerous non-profit organizations, where her passion for social change shines brightly.

Still not content to serve and give back to the USA, her passion for the arts and the entertainment industry has further enriched the cultural fabric of her community.

She also later founded Legacy Entertainment Production LLC and has actively contributed to the production of numerous music and entertainment venues, supporting both Filipino and Fil-Aml ocal artists and providing platforms for creative expression.

Her dedication to promoting artistic endeavors has had a profound impact, nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant cultural scene.Maria Theresa Quimora’s philanthropic spirit, unwavering dedication, and quiet generosity have earned her a reputation as a community champion. Her ability to lead by example, inspire change, and make a difference in the lives of others is unparalleled. As she continues her journey of advocacy and service, her legacy serves as a reminder of the transformative power of compassion and commitment.

Born in Manila but raised in Aklan Her father, Ludovico Mamay, who was in law school, decided to leave the country to work overseas a few months before Maria Theresa’s birth.

Since then, she has been raised alone by her mother, Lucerie Mamay. She has two siblings, Maria Carmen Sarah Mamay-Aljama and Demosthenis Mamay.

Despite the financial challenges of supporting them through elementary through college, all of them managed to obtain bachelor’s degrees in nursing.

Maria Theresa took her elementary education at Estancia Elementary School from 1984 to 1988. She was a consistent First Honors student in her class and graduated as a Class Valedictorian.

She took her high school education at Aklan Catholic College, where she was a scholar. She was also a deans lister and included in the Top 20 of the Graduating Class. Then, for her Bachelors Degree, she took up Nursing at Arellano University.

Graduated with the Academic Excellence Award and was also given a gold medal as the “Most Committed Student Nurse”. Professionally, she has more than 30 years of experience in different nursing specialties. She worked at The Medical City in Nursery, NICU and ICU settings.

After working for a few years, she moved to work in the academe at Emilio Aguinaldo College as Clinical Instructor 2, teaching in both clinical and classroom settings. Then she had the opportunity to work as an Occupational Health Nurse with Coca Cola Bottlers Phil.

In 2001, she migrated to California. At that time, she had a 6-year-old son, Lawrence Quimora, and one son on the way, Jim Ross Quimora.
Just like any immigrant, she had to struggle and start from the bottom. Luckily, she got her nursing license a few months after arriving in the USA. She had always worked multiple jobs to support her immediate as well as extended families.

She worked in multiple specialties, including Telemetry, Step Down Unit, Oncology Department, Dialysis Unit among others. It was 2014 when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Truly, the saying ”What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” sounded cliche, but it resonated with her fully. After she survived cancer, it changed her mindset to be more of a risk-taker and a go-getter.

At this time, every day is a bonus. She wanted her life to matter and to do something to have a positive impact on the community. When she went back to work after almost 2 years of respite, she was asked to manage a program for dialysis.

So she took on that challenge to be in a managerial position, handling up to five contracts in five hospitals. In 2018, the owners of the company she worked for told her that they wanted to close the business, but she could have dialysis machines if she wanted to start her own business.

The offer was on the table for a few years, then came the pandemic, COVID-19.

Maria Theresa is the recipient of Outstanding Alumni of Estancia Elementary School 2022. She was also given an American Excellence Award as Outstanding Dialysis Center of the Year 2023.

She will be the recipient of another two awards, Outstanding Dialysis of the Year 2023 from the Gawad Amerika Award, as well as the prestigious Outstanding Filipino Award 2023. Maria Theresa is a true embodiment of the award’s essence, embodying the spirit of community, compassion, and positive change.