Launching of First Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics

The UERMMMCI College of Physical Therapy (CPT) officially launched the new member of its family through a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the three key players of its conception. Last October 19, 2010, the delegates of the Nippon Foundation headed by its President, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa; the Executive Director of the Cambodia Trust, Mr. Carson Harte;, and the Board of Trustees of the UERMMMCI represented by President Romeo A. Divinagracia, signed the papers that will open the doors to the first Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The event was also attended by Board of Trustees and Academic Officers of the Medical Center, government officials led by Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Dept of Interior and Local Government, Undersecretary Celia Yangco of the DSWD and Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa of the DOH. Friends and advocates of PWDs were also present to give support to this new project of the College of Physical Therapy. A press conference followed where reporters from both print and TV media asked questions to the panel which included, Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, faculty of the CPT and proponent of the project, Dr. Raquel S. Cabazor, dean of the CPT, Mr. Carson Harte, President Romeo A. Divinagracia and Mr Yohei Sasakawa.

The school is targeted to open for school year 2011-2012. It will be offering a 5-year course of B.S. Prosthetics and Orthotics, the first in the country and only the 12th in the world. The graduates of B.S. Prosthetics and Orthotics shall be leaders in the field of training, service and research on prosthetic and orthotic devices. They are envisioned to uplift the quality of lives locally and globally as educator, researcher, entrepreneur, advocate, administrator, community organizer and service provider.

(seated from left): Mr. Carson Harte (Cambodia Trust), President Romeo Divinagracia (UERM), Mr. Yohei Sasakawa (Nippon Foundation), Mr. Shuichi Ohno (Nippon Foundation); (standing from left): Mr. Wilson Young (Vice Chair, UERM), Dr. Josephine Bundoc (Faculty and Proponent), Dr. Raquel Cabazor (Dean – CPT), Ms. Lyne Abanilla (CEO- Physicians for Peace) and Dr. Teodoro Herbosa (Usec –DOH)

UERMMMCI to Open First Philippine School for Prosthetics, Orthotics

The University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc. (UERMMMCI), in cooperation with Nippon Foundation and Cambodia Trust, is set to open the Philippine School for Prosthetics and Orthotics (PSPO). The first of its kind in the country and only the 12th of its kind in the world, the PSPO is geared towards training, service and research on the fabrication, development and clinical application of mobility devices for persons with disability (PWD). The PSPO will be formalized via the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by UERMMMCI President Romeo Divinagracia, Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa and Cambodia Trust Executive Director Carson Harte. The MOU, which will be signed on October 19, 2010, 12 nn, at the UERMMMCI College of Medicine Auditorium, will cover a 10-year, $7 Million grant for the PSPO curriculum.

The PSPO will be under the UERMMMCI College of Physical Therapy and will be based on World Health Organization guidelines and International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics standards. The PSPO’s Bachelor of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics course offering will entail a total of five school years and will be open for SY 2011-2012 student applicants starting this November.

The program will benefit the Philippines immensely, considering that 5% of the Filipino population suffers from disabilities due to amputations, limb loss, paralysis, weakness or pain and are unable to go to school, seek employment and/or handle self-care due to the absence of prosthetic or orthotic devices. The PSPO would soon make prosthetic and orthotic service and devices more affordable and more readily available in the country, allowing PWDs to become more productive, empowered and fulfilled.

For more information on the PSPO, please contact the UERMMMCI College of Physical Therapy at 715-0861 local 291 or 713-3312 or visit www.uerm.edu.ph.

VARIOUS JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The UERM Memorial Medical Center has job opportunities for people qualified and interested in the following positions:

1. Audit Clerks
2. Medical Technologist
4. Radiologic Technologist
5. Respiratory Therapist
6. Staff Pharmacist

For particulars, please email your resume at HRDO@uerm.edu.ph or you can call the HRD Office at telephone no. 713-33-06 or the trunkline no. 715-08-61 local 343.