Beaming with pride and honor: The MHAM CM School Flag in participation of the 50th APMC Annual Convention 2017
Ten MHAM CM delegates participated the recently-concluded 50th Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) Annual Convention 2017 at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City and at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Campus in Ortigas, Pasig City last Febuary 1-3, 2017.
WEAREMHAM: Newly-elected APMC-SN Visayas Secretary General Mel Karl Sabal during the Parade of School Flags with Dean Dr. Arlene Diaz and Student Council Governor Datu Nur-Jhun Salik
Dean Dr. Arlene Diaz, Chief of Clinics and Associate Dean for Clinical Sciences Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto, Research Director Dr. Jose Oclarit, Daniel Panaglima, Jessa Elaine Fronda, Datu Nur-Jhun Salik, Florence Gene Ang, Mel Karl Sabal, Rea Cristy Guardados and Dhaval Makwana represented MHAM CM as one of the APMC member schools.
MHAM CM delegates for the 50th APMC Annual Convention 2017
Hosted by the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, this year’s APMC Annual Convention bearing the theme, “Educating Physicians in the 21st Century”, marks its golden anniversary which was well-participated by forty-five member schools in the country.
Presenting, the APMC Deans from the 45 member schools including MHAM CM’s very own, Dr. Arlene Diaz
“It was a fruitful gathering among member schools in the country on the occasion of its 50th year and a venue for us to be involve in a continuous process of curriculum revision and organizational change, among other challenges in education”, said Dr. Diaz in an interview.
Aimed to provide an avenue for medical students in gathering and sharing of ideas and experiences, creating partnershis and bolstering camaraderie in harmony with global thrust in medical field, the APMC Convention is a yearly gathering of medical professionals and students as well, with the reminder that “Physicians are not born; they are made. Trained”.
The MHAM team with DOH USEC Dr. Eric Tayag
Several talks, interactive workshops, academic activities and diversified opportunities among student-participants, faculty and administrators, were the highlights of the 3-day convention.
Team MHAM: (L-R) Dhaval Makwana, Datu Nur-Jhun Salik, Rea Cristy Guardados, Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto and Dr. Jose Oclarit
Founded in 1967 with seven existing medical schools as members, today, the APMC on its golden year is dedicated to continue its advocacy for better healthcare and high standards for medical education in the 21st century.
Among the academic activities were the APMC-SN national Clinico-pathologic Conference (NCPC), the APMC-SN National Medical Student Research Competition (NMSRC) and APMC-SN Medical Quiz Bee.
MHAM’s Mentor-Mentee: Dean Dr. Arlene Diaz and APMC-SN Visayas out-going Vice President Florence Gene Ang
Third year student-delegate and APMC-SN Visayas out-going Vice President Florence Gene Ang in a separate interview said that the APMC 2017 Convention was another lifetime experience particularly in mingling other medicine students all over the country.
“As my second time to attend a national convention, it always ended up with new ideas and learnings from various speakers that I can share to my co-students. A lot of activities were squeezed during the convention including the Regional caucus, break-out sessions, academic competitions and special lectures. Moreover, it was indeed an opportunity for me to meet the persons who influenced my life most. During the 5th Regional Convention that I attended, I was able to meet one of the authors of IM Platinum in the person of Dr. Enrico Banzuela. This year, it was Vice President Leni Robredo whom I met”, said Ang.
Meanwhile, senior students Jessa Elaine Fronda and Daniel Panaglima together with the lone sophomore Indian student-delegate Dhaval Makwana competed this year’s Tagisan Quiz Bee. They landed as Top 12, competing other student-delegates nationwide.
MHAM CM Tagisan Quiz Bee wizards: Jessa Elaine Fronda, Daniel Panaglima and Dhaval Makwana
The MHAM student-delegates also got the opportunity to visit the Center for Advanced Skills, Simulation and Training Innovation (CASSTI) together with other student-participants. A medical company with surgical expertise and skills acquisition for healthcare professionals, CASSTI, provides surgical robotics simulation training- the only one in the Philippines. The delegates were given an interactive tour and actual demo of cameras, mobile units and telemedicine technology, all linked to surgical machines.
Junior student-delegate Datu Nur-Jhun Salik at the Center for Advanced Skills, Simulation and Training Innovation (CASSTI)
In addition, the first Elene I. Cuyegkeng Memorial Lecture was graced by Memorial lecturer and Vice President of World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Ducksun Ahn, with a topic centered on “Adapating Medical Education to the Technological Revolution”.
The APMC Deans with Vice President Leni Robredo
Also gracing the event were Vice President Leni Robredo, former DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit who is now the Dean of the Ateneo Medical School and Public Health, USEC Eric Tayag and Medical Board of Examiners.
This year, NCR’s bets were crowned for the Lakan and Lakambini ng Medisina.
Third year student-delegate Mel Karl Sabal was also elected as the new Secretary General for the APMC-SN Visayas.
The 3-day convention ended with the passing of torch to the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Intramuros as the next year’s host. (Ana Liza Abao)