View source for University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

{{Infobox_University
|name             = <big>UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS</big><br>Faculty of Medicine and Surgery 
|image            = [[image:USTLogo.jpg|150px]] 
|established      = [[1611]] University <br> [[1871]] Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
|type             = [[Private school|Private]] [[medical school]], Roman Catholic
|dean             = Dr. Maria Graciela Gonzaga, M.D.
| head_label      = [[Regent]]
| head            = Rev. Fr. Winston Cabading, OP, STL-MA
|location         = Saint Martin de Porres Building, UST Campus, España St., Sampaloc, [[Manila]], [[Philippines]] [[Image:Flag of the Philippines.svg|22px]]  
|website= [http://www.ust.edu.ph/ www.ust.edu.ph]
|}}

The '''University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery''', popularly known as '''UST Medicine''' or '''UST Med''', is the [[medical school]] of the [[University of Santo Tomas]], the oldest and largest [[Catholic]] university in [[Manila]], the national capital of the [[Philippines]]. 

The Faculty is the oldest [[medical school]] in the [[Philippines]]. It is also one of the most prestigious medical schools in [[Asia]], and a consistent top performing school in the national medical licensure exams in the Philippines. 

==History==

The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery was founded in 1871.<ref name=prospectus>Official prospectus, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref> 

[[Jose Rizal]], the national hero of the Philippines, enrolled in the Faculty to pursue foundational courses in medicine. He pursued further studies in [[Ophthalmology]] at Madrid Central University (now [[Complutense University of Madrid]]), the [[University of Paris]], and the [[University of Heidelberg]] in [[Germany]].<ref>Gregorio F. Zaide. ''The Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal''. National Book Store Inc., 2003.</ref>

Since then, the Faculty has consistently ranked among the top performing medical schools in the country. It has also produced the largest number of medical doctors in Philippine history.<ref name=prospectus>Official prospectus, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref>

==Program design and delivery==

The Faculty offers the four-year '''[[Doctor of Medicine]] (M.D.)''' degree, a comprehensive [[First professional degree|professional academic program]] which combines lectures, case analyses, and practical simulation exercises. The entire curriculum focuses on the basic, clinical, and emergency medical sciences. Teaching methods make use of both classic and modern medical practices and technologies.<ref name=acads>Academic programs, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref> 

In 2001, the Faculty adopted the [[problem-based learning]] method for use in the curriculum.<ref>[http://www.varsitarian.com/archivedetail.asp?ArticleID=74022217&Sections=News Med students now approve PBL] [[The Varsitarian]]. Vol. LXXIV, No. 2 • July 10, 2002</ref> The move was highly controversial. Several professors complained that the medical students were not learning the basic sciences adequately. In 2003, the curriculum format combined elements of both traditional (lecture-based) and problem-based methods.<ref name=acads>Academic programs, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref> 

The Faculty is distinct from other medical schools in its policy of requiring graduating students to undergo a series of written and oral exams known as the '''revalida'''. In the oral exams, groups of three students each are questioned by panels composed of three professors on basic, clinical, and emergency medical sciences. Passing the revalida is a prerequisite to graduation. Medical school graduates qualify to take the licensure exams for physicians conducted by the Board of Medicine, and under the control and supervision of the [[Professional Regulation Commission]] of the Philippines.<ref name=acads>Academic programs, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref>

==Academic programs==

The Faculty offers the following professional academic programs:<ref name=prospectus>Official prospectus, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref>

*[[Doctor of Medicine]]
*Master in Clinical Audiology
*Master of Arts major in Hospital Administration (offered in the UST Graduate School) 
*Master of Science major in Medical Physics (offered in the UST Graduate School)
*Master of Science in Medical Technology (offered in the UST Graduate School)
*Master in Health Professions Education (non-thesis; offered in the UST Graduate School)

The Faculty regularly conducts post-graduate courses covering specialties and subspecialites in Medicine and Surgery (i.e. Sports Medicine, Family Medicine, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Alternative Medicine, etc.).<ref name=prospectus>Official prospectus, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006.</ref>

==Performance==

The Faculty is proclaimed Center of Excellence<ref name=ched>List of Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Republic of the Philippines, 2007.</ref> in the field of medical sciences by the [[Commission on Higher Education]]. 
It has been producing several topnotchers<ref name=statistics>Statistical Data of Board Examination Passing Rates, Physician Licensure Examinations, Professional Regulation Commission, 1997-2006.</ref> in the national licensure exams for Filipino doctors. It is also the alma mater of several Secretaries of Health of the Philippines<ref name=doh>History, Department of Health (DOH), Republic of the Philippines, 2007.</ref> and several Presidents of the Philippine Medical Association<ref name=pma>History, Philippine Medical Association, 2007.</ref>, the largest organization of medical doctors in the country. The Faculty has also produced numerous hospital administrators, medical directors, clinical specialists, and medical professors in the Philippines and abroad.<ref name=alum>Alumni list, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2007.</ref> 

==Reputation==

The Faculty is widely regarded in medical, educational, and social circles as the top private medical school in the country.<ref>Annual Conference Report, Philippine Medical Association, 2005.</ref> Local cinema and television frequently include UST Medicine in scenarios and storylines dealing with health, technology, and social issues.<ref>Archives, University of the Philippines Film Institute, 2006.</ref> <ref>Audio and video files. Educational Technology Center, University of Santo Tomas Central Library, 2007.</ref>

==Facilities==

The Faculty draws physical and manpower resources from its training institution, the '''Santo Tomas University Hospital''', popularly known as the ''UST Hospital''. The hospital is one of the largest fully-equipped medical facilities in the country.<ref>Facilities, University of Santo Tomas, 2007.</ref> 

Several autonomous units of the [[University of Santo Tomas]] provide allied faculty and research support, such as:<ref>Autonomous faculties and colleges, University of Santo Tomas, 2007.</ref>
*[[University of Santo Tomas Graduate School|The UST Graduate School]] - Center of Excellence in Chemistry<ref name=ched>List of Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Republic of the Philippines, 2007.</ref>
*The '''[[University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy|UST Faculty of Pharmacy]]''' - top performing school in the licensure exams for Pharmacy and Medical Technology<ref name=stat2>Statistical Data of Board Examination Passing Rates, Professional Regulation Commission, 1997-2006.</ref>
*The UST College of Nursing - Center of Excellence in Nursing<ref name=ched>List of Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Republic of the Philippines, 2007.</ref>
*The UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences - top performing school in the licensure exams for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy<ref name=stat2>Statistical Data of Board Examination Passing Rates, Professional Regulation Commission, 1997-2006.</ref>
*The UST College of Science - Center of Excellence in Chemistry<ref name=ched>List of Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Republic of the Philippines, 2007.</ref>, Center of Development in Biology<ref name=ched>List of Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Republic of the Philippines, 2007.</ref>

==Prominent alumni==

Among the Faculty's illustrious alumni include:<ref name=alum>Alumni list, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2007.</ref>

*[[Jose Rizal]] - National Hero of the Philippines; one of the first [[ophthalmologist]]s in Asia
*[[Eva Macapagal|Evangelina Macaraeg-Macapagal]] - former [[First Lady of the Philippines]]; spouse of former Philippine President [[Diosdado Macapagal]]; mother of current President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]]; renowned medical professor
*[[Loi Estrada|Luisa "Loi" Ejercito-Estrada]] - former First Lady, Senator, and spouse of former Philippine President [[Joseph Estrada]]; renowned psychiatrist
*[[Francisco Duque, III]] - current Secretary of Health of the Philippines
*Carmencita Noriega-Reodica - first woman Secretary of Health of the Philippines; Hospital Administrator, The Quezon Institute
*Ramon Sin - former President, Philippine Medical Association; brother of [[Jaime Cardinal Sin]]
*Modesto Llamas - former President, Philippine Medical Association
*Angeles Tan-Alora - former Dean, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; first female medical school dean in the Philippines
*Raul G. Fores - Medical Director, Makati Medical Center
*Jesus Dueñas - Medical Director, Philippine Orthopedic Hospital
*[[Vicky Belo]] - Medical Director, Belo Medical Group; pioneered advanced methods in [[cosmetic surgery]] in the Philippines
*[[Maria Elena R. Enriquez]] - Associate, Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc and De Los Angeles; anesthesiologist, physician, and trial lawyer
*[[Arlo Luis R. Salvador III]] - Instructor in Experimental Psychology, [[University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters|UST Faculty of Arts and Letters]]; the only medical doctor teaching in the liberal arts college

== References ==
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*[[Category:University of Santo Tomas]]
*[[Category:Schools of medicine in the Philippines]]
*[[Category:Graduate schools in the Philippines]]
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