UERM MEDICAL STUDENT CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE TEN OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR 2011

First year medical student Julius Paul Juen (Class 2015) was recently chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for 2011. The TOSP is an award and formation program established by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr., Chairman of RFM Corporation and RFM Foundation, as "a way of encouraging the youth to act for national progress". TOSP honors graduating college students who have not only excelled academically but also lived a life of dedicated service to the people that is distinctive from others in their respective fields of interest. Julius is an embodiment of that student. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod with a BS degree in Biology and was involved in various extracurricular activities where he exhibited exemplary leadership skills and community involvement.

GROUND BREAKING OF THE FIRST SCHOOL OF PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Last July 19, 2011, the College of Physical Therapy faculty and staff spearheaded the Ground Breaking ceremony for the new Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (PSPO) building along Kapiligan Street in Quezon City. The event took place at the UERMMMCI Gymnasium and at the future PSPO site which is conveniently nestled behind the UERMMMCI College of Nursing building. Placing of the Time Capsule at the PSPO site: (Fr. L to R) Pres. Ester Garcia,

Dean Cabazor, Dr. Licuanan, Mr. Mike Scott, Dr. Lucio Tan, Dr. Divinagracia, and

Mayor Bautista

This important milestone in the path to sustainable and accessible services for persons with disability was graced by the Honorable Chairperson of the Commission for Higher Education, Dr. Patricia Licuanan, who was the guest speaker of the event. Other honored guests who attended included the Honorable Secretary Jesse Robredo from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Honorable Mayor Herbert Bautista, Undersecretary Celia Yangco from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and former Governor Grace Padaca, who also gave her response as a representative of the PWDs. Other important guests from the NGOs included Mr. Washington Sycip, Ms. Catherine Vasseur, the program director of Handicap International, the EVP and CEO of Tahanan Walang Hagdan,Ms. Joy Garcia, and Mr. Lauro Purcil, representative to the UN convention for the rights of the PWDs, to name a few. Proponents of the project also attended the event headed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UERMMMCI, Dr. Lucio Tan, UERMMMCI President, Dr. Romeo Divinagracia, Mr. Michael Scott, the Country Director of Cambodia Trust, and President Ester Garcia of UE-Manila.

The honored guests were led by the Dean of the College of Physical Therapy, Dr. Raquel Cabazor and Program Director, Ms. Helen Cochrane to place a time capsule at the future site of the PSPO building. The planned four-storey building made possible by the University of the East, will house the classrooms, technical and clinical laboratories and library of the Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics. These facilities will be fully equipped and staffed with the generous support of the Nippon Foundation of Japan.

Chairman Lucio Tan and Vice-Chair Wilson Young ......................Mayor Bautista and Secretary Robredo

Former Governor Grace Padaca................................................ Mr. Mike Scott of Cambodia

CPT Graduate Ranks 8th, College Garners High Passing Rate in July 2011 PT Licensure Examination

As announced by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), 22 out of the 26 examinees from the College of Physical Therapy – University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc. (CPT-UERMMMCI) passed the said examination with Mr. Jorrel R. Mendoza garnering the 8^th place among the successful PT examinees in the recently concluded Physical and Occupational Therapists Licensure Examinations held in the cities of Manila and Cebu last July 23 and 24, 2011. The CPT-UERMMMCI once again proved its excellence by achieving an 84.62% passing rate, and having a top-notcher in the said exam. The national passing rate for Physical Therapy is 52.16%.

Mendoza rated 83.95% in the PT licensure examination, which made him rank 8^th among the successful examinees. It came not as a surprise for the faculty members of the CPT that Mendoza would land a spot in the top 10 successful examinees since he was consistently excelling during his college years. He was a consistent top 10 student from 1^st to 4^th year and he also graduated top 8 of his class. His batchmates also expected him to standout in the licensure examination because they said he has considerably helped them during the review program by taking the initiative to coach them during their free time. He also exuded leadership during the review program by motivating his batchmates to persever

Mendoza expresses his gratitude to his review lecturers and coordinators who have guided him and sacrificed their time and efforts to make him and his batchmates achieve their feats. He most especially expresses his gratitude to his parents without whom he would not have attained his successes. Mendoza and his batchmates thank the CPT faculty and staff for mentoring and guiding them throughout their stay in the college.

The new Physical Therapists from the College of Physical Therapy-UERMMMCI are:

1. Roanne Jaclyn Morales ACOSTA, PTRP
2. Don Michael Vincent Leygo BAUTISTA, PTRP
3. Kristine Bernadette Riego BERNARDO, PTRP
4. Jaresh Anne de Castro BROSOTO, PTRP
5. John Paul Lloren CAPISTRANO, PTRP
6. Aldon Jimmy Carba CARIASO, PTRP
7. Joshua Rodriguez CASTELO, PTRP
8. Symon Jervis Ong CHAN, PTRP
9. Jeremiah Matorres CRUZ, PTRP
10. Napoleon Felix Desiderio ESCALONA, PTRP
11. Nigel Paul Filler HORTALEZA, PTRP
12. Anthea Grace Tan LO, PTRP
13. Krisha Marie Alfaro MANALILI, PTRP
14. Jorrel Roxas MENDOZA, PTRP
15. Angelique Iniguillo MISA, PTRP
16. Marina Chua NG, PTRP
17. Robert Gerard Pascual OCAMPO, PTRP
18. Creza Marie Historillo OFNGOL, PTRP
19. Karen Zena Bartolome PEREIRA, PTRP
20. Anna Theresa Leorna SANTOS, PTRP
21. Leandrei Goodie Dalan TAN, PTRP
22. Loretta Betrice Larosa TAN, PTRP

The New Physical Therapists from the College of Physical Therapy

By Yves Y. Palad, PTRP

Searching For Meaning In Our Chosen Profession THE UERMMMCI 50TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

More than 2,000 participants filled the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last April 17, 2011 as graduates, parents, guests, faculty, administrative and academic officials from the Colleges of Graduate School, Medicine, Nursing and Physical Therapy of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc. celebrated the 50th Commencement Exercises. This special event was spearheaded by the College of Physical Therapy, led by its Dean, Dr. Raquel S. Cabazor.

This year’s Commencement Speaker, Dr. Enrique A. Tayag, graced the occasion with his inspiring speech about searching for meaning in our chosen profession. The young and energetic Director of the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health shared his experience from medical school, his struggles and achievements and his immeasurable efforts of helping the country to improve general knowledge and measures regarding disease control and prevention.

The event also highlighted the awarding of honor graduates from the four colleges. This year’s Cum Lau de were Ms. Rose Melyn Hilario, Ms. Marites Sunga, Ms. Geelin Chua, Ms. Jennilyn de Jesus and Ms. Dominique Perez, all from the College of Nursing. The awardees from the College of Medicine were Ms. Francia Victoria delos Reyes, class Valedictorian and Ms. Flordeliza Ramirez, class Salutatorian while the awardees from the College of Physical Therapy were Ms. Karen Zena Pereira, class Valedictorian and Mr. Symon Chan, class Salutatorian. Ms. Rose Melyn Hilario, the highest ranked Cum Laude from the College of Nursing, gave the response from the graduates in behalf of the Graduating Class of 2011.

Christopher M. Guerrero, M.D., 2011 American Academy of Family Physicians Humanitarian Award Recipient

Dr. Christopher M. Guerrero was selected as the recipient of the 2011 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Humanitarian Award. The award was developed to honor extraordinary and enduring humanitarian efforts both within and beyond the borders of the United States.

Dr. Guerrero’s work through local, state, national and international communities demonstrates his sincere concern and dedication to serving others. He was also recognized by his many years of work with medical, surgical and dental missions in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. This is exemplifying how the physicians can use their skills to benefit others.

Dr. Guerrero was invited to accept his award on September 14, 2011 during the Congress of Delegates in Orlando, Florida, USA and to give brief remarks onstage in front of about 1,000 people. The Academy has offered Dr. Guerrero reimbursement of his travel expense and free two night’s hotel accommodations in Orlando.

The UERM Medical Center community, especially the College of Medicine, congratulates Dr. Guevarra on this great honor bestowed upon him.

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.