‘Ivy League’: When med school is prep for an automotive career
Ivy earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and pursued her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Santo Tomas. She practiced in Singapore for several years, working at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the National Healthcare Group Polyclinic.
But don’t tell Ivy that all those years spent in med school just to become an auto industry professional were all wasted. Those times actually served a purpose.
“The healthcare system demanded excellence. It taught me discipline, precision, compassion, and independence. It was a career I truly loved,” she said.
“Life has a way of redirecting us toward a different calling. In 2013, my dad was expanding our family business and needed support. It wasn’t an easy decision; choosing to go home and help meant stepping away from a profession I loved and had trained for over many years. It meant starting over.”
Ivy entered the automotive industry via Toyota Cabanatuan City, which eventually moved to Toyota Nueva Ecija, not as a doctor or pharmacist, but as someone who had to prove herself from scratch. Initially, she had doubts about whether she could truly make the transition. “But when my dad believed in me, I slowly started believing in myself.”
Ivy added: “Another challenge I faced was earning the respect of the people who had been there long before me. Many of them had grown with the company and understood the business deeply. I was the daughter coming in from a completely different field. I knew respect would not be given automatically; it had to be earned. So I chose to listen before I led. I studied business the way I once studied medicine. I observed, I asked questions, and I worked hard. I made mistakes and learned from them. Slowly, through perseverance, I began to build trust and earned respect—not because of my title, but because of my effort.”
Time with girls, dogs
“Outside of work, I just really love spending time with my girls and our dogs. They are my comfort zone. No matter how busy I get, I try to be present for them. Being with them helps me slow down, recharge, and reminds me of what truly matters. They keep me grounded.”
Medicine remains her first love. “Early last year, another unexpected turn happened. I found an opportunity to go back to medicine, this time in aesthetics. I am currently practicing and training in aesthetic medicine during my free time. It really gives me so much joy to reconnect with something that has always been a part of me.”
Ivy also enjoys traveling with her family and exploring different cultures. “Our food trips and the time spent together are always special to me. Seeing how other people live refreshes me, gives me new ideas, and makes me appreciate what I have even more. Balancing all these roles helped me become a better leader. My family keeps me grounded, practicing medicine keeps me learning, and travel keeps me inspired.”
Women, take that step
To women looking to enter the automotive industry or any other field, Ivy offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to take that step. If you truly put your heart into what you do and stay focused on your goals, nothing is impossible. Believe in your abilities, keep on learning, and stay confident! There may be challenges and moments of doubt, but don’t let that stop you. Consider these as opportunities to grow and prove to yourself just how capable you are as a woman.”
The cure to stagnation, and to being boxed in or held down, is to be confident enough to let yourself shine through. Just like Ivy, whether she’s managing a dealership or practicing aesthetic medicine, the doctor has found that respect and genuine care aren’t only therapeutic, they’re empowering.
