A glimpse of University of Cebu Medical Center and School of Medicine

As I took my first good look at the University of Cebu Medical Center, fondly called UCMed, I can't help but smile. Somehow I have a good feeling about this hospital-to-be and the medical school that comes with it.

First the hospital.

Going inside the feel is that of a hotel. There are escalators going to the second floor. The place just looks modern.So relaxing. So fresh.

The Main Lobby

View from the outside

Take a glimpse of the admitting section below...

And the smiles of the people and welcoming committee from UC....it's a good sign that this hospital, though modern with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, will really cater and be welcoming also to the masses as its owners are known for. Look at their legacy and it shows -- Elizabeth Mall, Cebu Coliseum, University of Cebu and now, UCMed and University of Cebu (UC) School of Medicine.

 On the 6th floor, the view is breathtaking...

There's Cebu Doctors' University from the view above UCMED

And the majestic building with a logo that I truly like ... with good name recall, branding...very medical...simple but modern.

Here are some of the wards with no beds yet...

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspected the hospital May 1, 2015 and the pictures where you can see some high tech equipment are in the Official Facebook page of the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. You can check it out here.

I think the hospital will soon have its soft opening within this year. What is really definite though is UC's medical school is going to start this coming schoolyear. The glimpse I will give you of the school is more on the faculty and not of the building. Let me show you some of them in this next photograph.

Some of the future Faculty of the University of Cebu School of Medicine

The person 2nd to the left of the photo (the one next to me in the pic) is the dean, Dr. Melfer Montoya. And with her UC School of Medicine is definitely in good hands.

She is a Biochemistry mentor and classmate of mine in our Masters Degree in Health Professions Education (MHPEd) which we took in the University of the Philippines Manila. MHPEd is like a degree in education for teachers but in our case, specifically for health professions teachers (like that in a medical school). In MHPEd, we take these subjects which will definitely help Dr. Montoya in her stint as dean. In some instances already, those with MHPEd are nominated as deans or chancellors in colleges like that in UP Manila. And with Dr. Montoya's degree, her many many years as a medical educator plus experience in being part of the administration of a PAREF school in Cebu, University of Cebu School of Medicine is in capable hands with the help of the administration and rest of the faculty.

Check some of the basic faculty:

Photo of Freeman newspaper page showing some of the members of the UC School of Medicine Faculty

As you can see in the newspaper, you have the "veterans" perhaps considered the Mothers or Father in Cebu of the particular subject they are teaching. Dr. Virginia Mesola is the authority in Medical Microbiology in Cebu both in classroom, laboratory and in practice. Ask a graduate who was under Dra. Llenes in Anatomy and definitely she will be pointed as one of the best Anatomy teachers in Cebu medical schools. Dr. Francisco Tan knows histology and anatomy even with his eyes closed being in the department for more than a decade. The rest of the teachers is a good mix of vast experience, passion and youth ensuring continued quality medical education in the future.

As I sit watching guests coming in wishing UCMed well last May 1, I could not help but smile.  I realized that this development is really good for healthcare in Cebu. Furthermore, the city hospitals will be decongested. And another promising medical school will be added to the other quality medical schools in Cebu. By the way, the school of medicine campus is in Banilad in their building across Gaisano Countrymall. Information about application for first year medical student is in this page. Deadline for application is May 15, 2015.