One Man’s Legacy of Helping Others Inspires New Emergency Fund
That
Will Assist Medical Students at Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine
FELICE
ANTHONY RUBINO March 2, 1926 ~ March 24, 2012
In a crisis, Phil was always there for us. Now, despite passing away in March, he
will be there for countless students of Emperor's
College of Traditional Oriental Medicine right here in Santa Monica.
He loved helping
others. An avid reader, he learned
much about alternative medical methods. And in his final years, he revealed that if he could come back he would want
to be a doctor so that he could discover a cure for cancer — the disease that
took his life.
In honor of Phil, we decided to create a scholarship
fund for students at Emperor's College of
Traditional Oriental Medicine. We
did it, out of deep gratitude to Dr. Tiande Yang,
who treated him with ancient wisdom and care for six years
after Western medical practitioners told us they could offer no options and that Phil had only several months to
live.
Change of Plan
Although Ms. Yun Kim, CEO of Emperor's College
of Traditional Oriental Medicine, welcomed the scholarship, she wanted to help
as many students as possible. After careful thought, she asked if we would consider changing our
concept of “scholarship” to “emergency loan fund.”
We readily agreed.
“Instead of a grant or scholarship program, we
decided to loan money so that the program can be ongoing. We don’t have to stop when the funds
are depleted. The economy is
tough, and we’ve seen some students in a crisis situation and we did not have
the means to help. Now we do,”
says Ms. Kim.
A crisis might mean lack of money for shelter,
food or even medical care. The
short-term loan would allow a student to get through a difficult time. And they would have six months to pay
back the money. This perpetuates
the fund, so that many students in need may benefit. It makes me smile to imagine how pleased Phil would be.
Ms. Kim is confident students will repay the
loans because she did some research and learned programs at other schools have
worked well. Repayment is almost
100%. Also, students who apply for
a loan must be in good standing and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
“The program is based on good faith, those that
borrow will repay so that we can help other students,” she says.
The fund is also a testament to Phil’s ability to overcome hardship and encourage others to do the same. Despite his determination to get an education, Phil dropped out of high school and joined the Navy at the start of World War II. After the war he went to work instead of back to school and labored until that time when he could attend night school and earn a diploma. This new fund is an ideal way of honoring Phil because he understood that everybody needs a little help to get through a tough time.
Finally, we began the fund because we knew it would make Felice Anthony Rubino proud.
The skill and dedication of Dr. Tiande Yang proved our long-held conviction that the Eastern approach to health is wise and
effective. Natural remedies, herbs and alternative medicines offer long-term
preventative care and attention for a broad assortment of ailments and illnesses. Through the years, it has kept us healthy
and balanced.
Despite Phil’s cancer diagnosis, the Traditional Chinese Medicine helped make his final six years fulfilling and joyful.
“We’re very grateful for the funds the Rubino
family and friends have provided because we know this medicine works — and so
do they,” says Ms. Kim.
I like to think of the fund as Phil’s finest legacy: helping someone else fulfill a dream he held dear.
Phil died peacefully at home Saturday, March 24th at
9:45 a.m. Brigitta was at his side. He will be deeply missed — And he’ll always be with us and in our thoughts …
and in service, as he always was, to anyone in need of a little help.
Brigitta Rubino,
Regina Rubino, Marilyn Rubino Telios, Robert Louey, Jim Telios, William Telios,
Roberto Blandin, and Rusty
Any amount you share will be an enormous help to the school and hopefully many students.
Kindly send donation to:
Ms. Yun Kim, CEO
Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine
1807 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90403
please note on check: In memory of Felice Rubino
(please contact Yun@emperors.edu if you would like to donate via credit card)
...and special thank you to all of Phil's Angels ; ) Karan Freeman, Rabbi Sara Goodman, Lauren Sanchez, Vinny Picardi, Rolando Rosado, Gary, Robert, Zen and Yumiko, Tommy Rubino, Ron, Nurse Maria, Bey, Laura Wilkenson, Libby Donnell, Ruby and Marina.
