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DR. JESUS HO

With his family by his side, Dr. Jesus T. Ho died peacefully in his sleep early morning on July 7, 2016 at his home in Gilbert, AZ. He courageously battled kidney cancer for the past year. He was 76 years old.

Dr. Ho was born on December 26, 1939 in Siquijor, Philippines. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Priscilla M. Ho, three daughters, Jenny Ho-Vijungco, Jessica Ho Scara, and Jasmine Ho Madiou, and eight grandchildren. Jenny is married to Dr. Joseph Vijungco and they have three children: Jaden (17), Jordan (14) and Jaya (11). Jessica is married to Nicholas Scara and they have three children: Jessinda (12), Jaxen (7) and Nickson Jesus (4). Both families live in Gilbert, AZ. Jasmine is married to Christopher Madiou, and they have two children: Sophia (5) and Foster (1). They live in West Orange, NJ.

Dr. Ho was a graduate of Silliman University in Dumaguete, Philippines and of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Medical School “Awesome Class of ’65” in Manila, Philippines. He immigrated to the United States in 1967 and did his residency at Queens General Hospital in Jamaica, New York. In 1971, he established his private practice and settled his young family in Moundsville, West Virginia. He served Reynolds Memorial Hospital for 44 years and was the past President of its medical and dental staff. Later, he was on the Board of Trustees and a member of the Finance and Budget Committee as well as the Chairman of the Credential Committee and the Pharmaceutical Committee. Dr. Ho also served as a member of the Credential Committee of the Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley.  He dedicated his life’s work to helping others, cared for the sick and gave to those in need. But nothing gave him more happiness than the love for his patients. Many of whom had been with him through multiple generations.

He ascended the ranks of the West Virginia Board of Medicine, where he was a board member for 12 years, serving as both President and Vice President. He was the President of the Marshall County Medical Society. He was a founding member and past President of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA), The Tri-State Fil-Am Association, the Bisaya Medical Association of USA (BMA) and the Founder of the Philippine Medical Association of West Virginia (PMAWV). Dr. Ho was also past President of the Moundsville Lions Club, where he was named “Lion of the Year” three times. He coordinated and organized several different fundraisers in the area and was also honored as Grand Marshall of the Marshall County Christmas Parade.

Dr. Ho led annual medical missions to the Philippines for the past 34 years, in different provinces, cities and towns throughout the country. His missions partnered with Brother/ Brothers Foundation of Pittsburgh, PA supplied truckloads of equipment, supplies, medicine and, most critically, doctors and healthcare workers from around the country. Dr. Ho recruited scores of local doctors and allied health professionals to join him on his missions. He traveled throughout West Virginia providing free clinical services, in partnership with local hospitals, the Department of Health and The Lions Club. He also supported and promoted fundraising for the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, a Philippine poverty alleviation movement, which builds new homes and villages in Cebu, Philippines.

He was honored at the Malacanang Palace with the Linkapil Award for community service by Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos; he was given the Missionary Award by the Philippine Medical Association of Misamis Occidental Chapter; he was recognized with the International Humanitarian Service Award by the Cebu Lions Club; he was given the Outstanding Fil-Am Award and the Humanitarian Distinguished Award by the Philippine Economic and Cultural Endowment (PEACE). He was also APPA’s Physician of the Year, and named UST’s Most Outstanding Jubilarian of 2015 in Orlando, FL. And the BMA recently presented Dr. Ho with their first Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian service in Wheeling, WV.

He was beloved by his family, friends, colleagues and patients. Dr. Ho connected with everyone he met–he knew everyone’s story. His speeches and jokes are legend. And his legacy as a doctor, philanthropist and loving family man will carry on for generations.

Reynolds Memorial Hospital, together with Dr. Ho’s family, will have a memorial service on August 20, 2016. There will be a mass at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Moundsville, WV at 11 a.m. and a reception will immediately follow at St. Francis Xavier Hall until 3 p.m.

His last wish was to have another medical mission in the Philippines. In his honor, and in lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations towards “Dr. Ho’s Medical Mission Memorial Fund.” Donations may be paid and sent to the following address: Jenny Ho-Vijungco, 1900 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 15-255, Chandler, AZ 85224.