In celebration of its 25th anniversary, St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial recently staged talks that highlighted the role of medical education in producing graduates who can help address the national and global health agenda and tackle challenges in healthcare.
“We are committed to the formation of doctors who are competent and ethical, academic and research-oriented, collaborative and patient-centered, socially engaged and compassionate,” said SLMCCM-WHQM president and dean Dr. Susan Pelea Nagtalon.
Dean Nagtalon spoke during the Lukan to the Future: Conversations that Matter, the kickoff activity of the medical school’s yearlong 25th foundation celebration.
Lukan to the Future featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers representing different sectors and perspectives.
In his keynote address, Professional Regulation Commission Commissioner Dr. Jose Cueto, Jr. underscored the vital role of the academe in promoting professionalism.
“The academe lays the foundation for the development of professionalism among students, residents, and medical practitioners through the teaching and assessment of professionalism. Academicians serve as role models during the earliest stages of clinical exposure of medical students,” he stated.
In her presentation on “The Academe and the National Health Agenda,” Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, chief of the Department of Health’s Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau Research Division, identified the five key stakeholders of Universal Health Care in the country: Patients, Providers, Payers, Physicians, and Suppliers of medicines, devices, and diagnostic tests.
Dr. Ho said, “Education can equip these key stakeholders with ethical values and problem-solving skills that are crucial in achieving our national health agenda.”
“I believe that the majority of would-be physicians begin their journey with a sincere and simple dream to one day make a difference and be of service to mankind,” said Dr. Malaya Santos, SLMCCM-WHQM associate dean for Student Affairs, in her talk on social accountability in medical education.
Aligned with the World Health Organization framework, medical schools have the obligation to direct their education, research, and service activities toward addressing the priority health needs of the community, region, and nation.
The other speakers were Dr. Jeffrey So, chair of the SLMC Department of Pathology; Dr. Deborah David-Ona, vice president for medical Practice Group and assistant chief medical officer, SLMC Global City; Dr. Heidi Sampang-Abiad, country manager of Remote Access Medical Philippines; Dr. Jordan Badangayon; and Dr. Frederick Gomez, news anchor at CNN Philippines.
A panel of selected SLMCCM-WHQM students also held an engaging and insightful discussion on “Thriving (not just surviving) in Medical School.”
Founded in 1994 through the leadership of William H. Quasha, then chairman of the Board and president of St. Luke’s Medical Center, the SLMC College of Medicine has established itself as an excellent training ground for future physicians.
Since 2009, the college has maintained a consistent, outstanding performance of its graduates in the Physicians’ Licensure Examination. In 2016 and 2017, the PRC recognized SLMC College of Medicine as the number one top-performing medical school in the country.
The college is now focused on further enhancing the medical curriculum, promoting holistic student development, continuing faculty development, improving infrastructures and student services, and establishing international linkages with institutions of excellence.