Life has a way of taking us through different stages before leading us to where we are meant to be. Along the way, we encounter challenges, discover new possibilities, and learn that every step can prepare us for the next chapter.
For Dr. Regimar S. Benito, RN, MD, DPBS, the journey began as a Louisian student. A native of Mungo, Tuao, Cagayan, he completed his high school education at the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao in 2007. He later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a university in Tuguegarao City and graduated Cum Laude in 2011. He continued his medical education at the same university and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree, also Cum Laude, in 2016.
After completing his internship at Lorma Medical Center and passing the Physician Licensure Examination, Dr. Benito pursued the demanding path of surgery. From 2018 to 2024, he trained under the Cordillera Consortium General Surgery Training Program in Baguio City.
Then, another chapter in his professional journey began.
In 2025, Dr. Benito passed both the written and oral qualifying examinations of the Philippine Board of Surgery and became a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Surgery. Today, he serves as Medical Specialist II and General Surgeon at Conner District Hospital in Apayao. He also shares his knowledge and experience as a part-time teaching faculty member at the Cagayan State University College of Medicine.
His work as a surgeon has also been complemented by his interest in research and continuing education. His multicenter study on ACR-TIRADS and thyroid nodule malignancy earned him First Runner-Up at the 2024 National PSGS Inter-Chapter Research Paper Contest and became a finalist in the Philippine College of Surgeons Champion of Champions Research Paper Contest. In 2026, the study was presented at the 6th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Society of Thyroid Surgery in Singapore. Further, he is pursuing a Master of Management in Hospital Administration.
Now, Dr. Benito is preparing for another important chapter in his career. He is an incoming fellow of The Medical City, Section of Breast Surgery, where he hopes to deepen his expertise in breast disease and cancer care. In the future, he hopes to bring more specialized surgical services to the communities he serves.
For Dr. Benito, the path from USLT to the medical profession was also shaped by values. Looking back, he shares, “When I look back, USLT was one of the places that helped shape the values I carried with me through every stage of my journey. It taught me discipline, perseverance, responsibility, and the importance of serving others.”
He adds that these lessons remained with him as he moved from nursing to medicine, went through the long years of surgical residency, and prepared for further training in breast surgery.
Looking back at his education, Dr. Benito also sees learning as something that goes beyond earning degrees and titles. “More than the lessons inside the classroom, USLT helped me understand that education is not only about earning degrees or achieving titles. For me, its real value is in how we use what we have learned to help our patients, our communities, and the people around us.”
Now, as he continues to grow in his profession, Dr. Benito also shares his advice with current students. Above all, he reminds students, “Dream big, but be patient with your own timeline. Work hard, stay humble, seek good mentors, and never stop learning.” For him, success is not only about the titles people earn but also about what they contribute and whom they are able to serve along the way.
From a Louisian student to a nurse, physician, surgeon, researcher, and educator, Dr. Benito’s journey continues to unfold through learning, service, and purposeful growth. His story reminds us that the path may take many turns, but the values we gain along the way can continue to guide us wherever we go.
Congratulations, Dr. Regimar, on the journey you have built through perseverance, continuous learning, and service. May you continue to grow in your profession, deepen your expertise, and use your knowledge and skills to serve more patients and communities. May God bless you as you take on this next chapter in your surgical career.
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