By BILL F. GABAY
A young man from the town of Odiongan, Romblon relentlessly followed his dream, and driven by a natural desire to help, is carving a name for himself in the medical field and healthcare services. And, he’s only 24.
Sean Firmalo Rutor was born on May 7, 1999. He is the son of Hildreth ‘Bong’ Rutor and Faith Gabay Firmalo of Odiongan, Romblon. He is a grandson of the late Manuel Firmalo and Nenita Gabay.
He went to kinder school at the former Faith and Prayer Baptist Church now known as the Philippine Baptist Church of Odiongan, Inc. (PBCO) and graduated with honors in 2005.
Sean then went to Epiphany School for Peace and Goodwill in Odiongan and graduated Salutatorian in 2012. After graduation, he joined his Mom who had migrated to the USA and is working as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Delaware. He continued his middle school at Gunning Bedford and graduated with high honors.
He went to William Penn High School which is the largest high school in Delaware. Again, he graduated with high honors, and in 2018, he was recognized by Sec. Bunting, Delaware Secretary of Education, as one of the top public school students of Delaware from Class 2018.
He enrolled college at the University of Delaware initially as a Neuroscience major with a focus on research and was given a full ride scholarship. He then realized his interest and his calling to do more in service of others, and so on his second year, he switched to Nursing and was one of just five students who were admitted into the University of Delaware School of Nursing, as a second year student.
During his time at UD, Sean volunteered at Food Bank of Delaware distributing food to those in need. He also served as president of Men in Nursing Organization. He also organized blood drives to ease the blood shortage prevailing at that time.
Sean also used his experience as an immigrant in the US to help others. He works with the Jewish Family Services helping refugees from other countries get back to their feet and adjust to life in America.
Throughout his college life, he had a full ride scholarship and was consistently a Dean’s Lister. And on May 27, 2023, his hard work paid off. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and earned his Latin honors as Cum Laude. On that day, Sean chose to wear the Philippines tricolor as a symbol of pride and honor, and his Filipino roots.
Sean is set to start at Christiana Hospital as Emergency Room Nurse after graduation and promises that there are more exciting things to come in his career as a healthcare professional.
But for now he says, “I just want to be the best nurse I can be, and be an agent of hope and change. Be at the bedside of a patient who needs my help.”
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