IM NEWS (February-May 2007)

Department of Medicine Commemorates 28^th Anniversary

Arnold G. de Chavez, MD

The Department of Internal Medicine has come a long way from its humble beginnings almost 30 years ago. Born as a consequence of the establishment of the College of Medicine, the department was created in 1979 under the chairmanship of Dr. Raymundo Katigbak and staffed by selfless and able physicians, most of whom either have retired or moved on to greener pastures years later. Only three of the pioneer staff members remained at the helm of the department: Drs. Carmelita Fernandez, Cynthia Lubaton, and Benigno Ong. The years that followed showed the inclusion to the department an array of competent practitioners who threw in their lot of expertise in building and strengthening the department: past chairmen including Dr. Lilia Maranan, Dr. Ricardo Salonga, Dra. Baby Tamayo, Dr. Tim De Mesa, and Dra. Beth Carreon; faculty, including Dr. Nick De Jesus, Dr. Toribio Jovellanos, Dr. Ramon Javier, Dr.Bernardo Conde, Dra. Pat Mallabo, and Dra. Socorro Martinez, to name a few. The department would not be complete without the ETO’s overseeing the residency training program: the likes of Dr. Robert Guzman, Dr. De Mesa, Dr. Carl De Leon, and Dra. Rhodora Valenzona.

Making a first in its 28-year history, the Department of Internal Medicine is organizing a gathering of its more illustrious personalities who in one way or another contributed to how it came about and what it is today: pioneers, former chairmen, executive training officers, consultants, faculty, graduates, and residents. The 1^st Annual Perpetualite Internists’ Night will be held on May 4^th, 2007 at the Vivere Hotel and Suites in West Gate, Filinvest, Alabang.

In what is aimed to be an exciting and memorable night, the department set in motion its preparation for this momentous occasion with the delegation of various committees that will carry out specific functions. A key committee was tasked to produce and document interviews with former department chairmen, a job that necessitated a pairing of consultant with residents. Others were tasked to trace former faculty and graduates of the training program to document their present status. Still others were designated to man the physical aspects of the event itself: the venue, invitations, the programme, and the like.

Dr. Elizabeth Carreon, the outgoing Chairman, painstakingly prepared a presentation of past and present affiliated Internists, pioneer consultants, and memorable activities successfully instituted during her term. As Dr. Amelita Brillantes receives the upcoming responsibilities as new Chair, a new long list of programs, expected to further shape a dynamic and increasingly productive department is at hand.

Together with the celebration of the department’s foundation comes the launching of the IMpulse Newsletter, scheduled to be published bi-annually, showcasing the varied insights of our residents and present consultants. Recent updates on management protocols, residents’ viewpoint with regards the training program, and profiles of the members of the Department are some of the issues that will be brought out.