Maria Theresa Quimora Maria Damian aka Maria Theresa Mamay- Quimora is a trailblazing entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist, and fervent community advocate, stands as a beacon of inspiration in the realm of business and social change. Her remarkable journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact on society. Born in Manila but raised in Aklan. Her father Ludovico Mamay who was in Law School decided to leave the country to work overseas few months before Maria Theresa’s birth. Since then, she was raised alone by her mother, Lucerie Mamay. She has 2 siblings, Maria Carmen Sarah Mamay- Aljama and Demosthenis Mamay. Despite of financial challenges of supporting them through elementary through college, all of them managed to obtain Bachelors Degrees in Nursing. Maria Theresa took her elementary education in Estancia Elementary School from 1984 to 1988. She was a consistent First Honors in her class and graduated Class Valedictorian. She took her HS education in Aklan College where she was a scholar. She was also deans lister and included in Top 20 of the Graduating Class. Then for her Bachelors Degree, she took up Nursing in Arellano University. Graduated with Academic Excellence Award and was also given a gold medal as the “ Most Committed Student Nurse”. Professionally, she has more than 30 years experience in different nursing specialties. She worked at The Medical City in Nursery, NICU and ICU settings. After working for few years, she moved to work in the academe in Emilio Aguinaldo College as Clinical Instructor 2 teaching in both clinical and classroom setting. Then she had an opportunity to work as Occupational Health Nurse with Coca Cola Bottlers Phil. In 2001, she migrated to California. At that time she had a 6 year old son, Lawrence Quimora and one son on the way, Jim Ross Quimora. Just like any immigrants, she had to struggle and had to start from the bottom. Luckily, she got her nursing licensure few months upon arriving in USA. She had always worked multiple employment to support her immediate as well as extended families. She worked multiple specialties including Telemetry, Step Down Unit, Oncology Department, Dialysis Unit among others. It was 2014 when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Truly, the saying that goes” What doesn’t kill you make you stronger” sounded cliche but it resonated to her fully well. After she survived cancer, it changed her mindset to be more of a risk taker and a go – getter. At this time, everyday is a bonus. She wanted her life to matter and do something to have positive impact to the community. When she went back to work after almost 2 years of respite, she was asked to manage a program for dialysis. So she took on that challenge to be in managerial position handling up to 5 contracts in 5 hospitals. 2018 when the owners of the company she worked for told her that they want to close the business but she can have the dialysis machines if she wants to start her own business. The offer was on the table for a few years then comes the pandemic, Covid 19. It was 2020 at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic when she started her own In- patient Dialysis Services, Legacy Dialysis. As the founder and visionary behind a thriving healthcare services business, Maria Theresa has exemplified unparalleled entrepreneurship and leadership. Under her astute guidance, the business has flourished , expanding to encompass 12 locations over California providing vital healthcare services to countless individuals. At that time, Dialysis was used as part of treatment modality to manage the symptoms of Covid 19. Despite many challenges that she had to hurdle including staffing shortages due to nurses leaving the profession, she managed to have exponential growth in the company. Her entrepreneurial acumen has not only transformed the healthcare landscape but has also created numerous employment opportunities, fostering economic growth within the community. However, Maria Theresa’s impact extends far beyond her professional endeavors. She is a consummate volunteer and community activist, dedicating her time, resources, and energy to various causes that uplift and empower others. As the proud owner of the esteemed Route 66 Museum in Southern California, she has preserved the rich heritage of the region, allowing visitors to connect with the past and appreciate the cultural diversity of the area. In addition to her museum ownership, Maria Theresa is deeply involved with numerous non-profit organizations, where her passion for social change shines brightly. Her selfless dedication to supporting her community knows no bounds; she has been known to anonymously contribute her resources, writing checks to support worthy causes and initiatives that enhance the well-being of others. Beyond her achievements in the business world, Maria Theresa’s passion for the arts has further enriched the cultural fabric of her community. Her company Legacy Entertainment Production LLC has actively contributed to the production of numerous music and entertainment venues, supporting both Filipino and Fil Am local artists and providing platforms for creative expression. Her dedication to promoting artistic endeavors has had a profound impact, nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant cultural scene. Maria Theresa Quimora’s philanthropic spirit, unwavering dedication, and quiet generosity have earned her a reputation as a community champion. Her ability to lead by example, inspire change, and make a difference in the lives of others is unparalleled. As she continues her journey of advocacy and service, her legacy serves as a reminder of the transformative power of compassion and commitment. Maria Theresa is the recipient Outstanding Alumni of Estancia Elementary School 2022. She was also given an award by America Excellence Award as Outstanding Dialysis Center of the year 2023. She will be the recipient of another 2 awards Outstanding Dialysis of the Year 2023 from Gawad Amerika Award as well as the recipient of the prestigious award, The Outstanding Filipino Award 2023. Maria Theresa is a true embodiment of the award’s essence, embodying the spirit of community, compassion, and positive change.