So, how did the president of the Philippines wind up visiting Community Regional Medical Center on the sultry Sunday morning of June 22?

It began about nine days earlier when a Community physician of Filipino heritage stopped by the hospital's administrative offices seeking help for the visit. Within 72 hours, the Philippines consul general in San Francisco and a half-dozen aides were touring the hospital campus.

A couple of days later, a dozen press, protocol and security officials did more site selection -- and insisted that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo be welcomed only by Community staff and physicians of Filipino heritage. And that they have the names in hand well in advance of the visit.

Did I mention security? There was Community's security working with Fresno PD, with Philippines presidential security and the U.S. Secret Service. There were scads of eagle-eyed women and men, some of considerable size, with earpieces at hospital entrances and exits.

And then there were 80 to 100 physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other staff filling the hallways, and later the Sequoia rooms, with a joyful buzz reminiscent of a wedding.

Cameras created a nearly white-out of flashes at the hospital patio door as the president and her party arrived -- running an hour or so late. Formal greetings came from Phyllis Baltz, CRMC's chief operating officer, Drs. Dominic Dizon and Orly Dyoco, Community nurses Imelda Gamboa and Norlina Dela Vega and me.

The real "Wow!" moments occurred as the president was swarmed by well-wishers in the Sequoia rooms. The Fresno Bee called it rock-star treatment. Cell phone camera were hoisted, film crews stood on tables. Wall-to-wall smiles.

And after 15 minutes, she whisked away to a downtown Mass and reception and a flight to DC to meet President Bush (and also apparently Barack Obama and John McCain).

One question surfaced repeatedly: Why did she stop at Community?

Dr. Dizon was quick with an answer: Why not?

It was a history-making moment for Community and a fitting honor to our hundreds of dedicated Filipino staff.