Local doctor’s office comes together for Christmas party – drive-thru style

PERRY, Ga. — Around 150 people came out to South Houston Internal Medicine last Friday to celebrate Christmas, show appreciation for the office and eat some Filipino food — all in a drive-thru format. The office has been serving patients for 22 years, and is proud to be recognized as a patient-centered medical home.

The Journal spoke with Practice Manager J.P. Ocubillo about the event and the relationships between the medical professionals there and the patients they serve.

“Before COVID, we held it inside the building where we host our patients for a few hours,” Ocubillo said. “We have tons of food, and we come celebrate. It’s a Christmas party, but it’s really thanking our patients for the year.”

The office was also encouraging folks driving through to bring along a donation to benefit Toys for Tots.

“They brought unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots, and after the event, we box up the rest of the food and drop it off at the police station or the fire station,” Ocubillo said.

Many volunteers, along with the office employees, come out to assist in the party, including medical students and various people throughout the area. Ocubillo said Ms. Ingrid House is one of the people crucial in making the event happen.

“She basically tells everybody where to be and what to do,” Ocubillo said, laughing.

Marietta Lomboy, DNP and Joseph Lomboy, M.D., along with their office staff, have been helping locals be their best for over two decades.

“We just serve the community for general health concerns, and we’ve been a staple for the community for 22 years,” Ocubillo said. “Especially lately with COVID, we’ve had to open it up to the public for a lot of the COVID needs, as far as testing and vaccinations.”

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