by Brylle Catague
On February 10, 2015 in the Angelo King Auditorium Lobby, the class of 2019 culminated their six-session Introduction to the Medical Profession course.
This module, which aims to develop compassionate and professional physicians, was established upon the deanship of Dean Brigido L. Carandang.
Originally, the class was titled “Psychiatry Module”, and was overseen by the Psychology Department, who was believed to have the most relevant expertise for the objective. This evolved to what is now known as, “Introduction to the Medical Profession”, which covers the topics of communication, teamwork, and professionalism.
As a conclusion to this course, a pledge-taking event was organized by the SLCM administration with the active assistance of the student council. It was hosted by council members Junelle Dumangon and Cheska Malubay.
The gathering started with an opening prayer led by Agape member Ea Tan, followed by a message from Dr. Marilyn Atienza, the Associate Dean of the College.
In Dr. Atienza’s message, she addressed the freshmen, emphasizing how important professionalism is in the practice of medicine.
Dr. Atienza expressed that students must not passively wait for professionalism to be imbibed in their formation to medical doctors.
Dr. Atienza continues to say that character building is of prime importance. The holistic approach to the ‘Lukan doctor’ proudly maintains this.
To grasp this reality, Dr. Atienza shared the anecdote of medical clerk Matthew Reyes who, despite his infant role in the structural delivery in the hospital, exemplified a great doctor-patient relationshipin his interaction with one of his patients.
After the associate dean gave her message, the students were given 15 minutes to compose a personal pledge of professionalism for themselves.
Their pledges were sealed in envelopes and the students were called to the stage in pairs alphabetically to place their pledge in a box.
The class of 2019 will open the box and their letters before they embark on their clerkship in 2017. Until then, the box, along with a framed batch pledge, will be placed near the school library where it can serve as a reminder of their commitment.
Next, the class was led in a batch pledge by their president, Nicole Marie Manalastas. The class of 2019 created the pledge in a collaborative effort from the consolidation of insights and lessons they had garnered in the course.
In the pledge, the students stressed committing themselves to excellence and high standard of service at all times; innovation and social responsibility; compassion and empathy; to use individual differences as a strength in helping others; to always remember their purpose in times of struggle and difficulties; and to always commit themselves in enjoying and loving what they do.
The dean of the college, Dr. Brigido L. Carandang, concluded the program by commending the batch pledge.
Dean Carandang reinforced that life is about more than just school. He also advocated the ability to adapt to changes in the study of medicine over time.
He said that in medical school, the curriculum must be dynamic to cater to the call of advancement in the field of medicine. In accordance to this, since his deanship, the administration has taken aggressive and effective measures to change the curriculum to efficiently mold well-rounded physicians.
He elaborated that promoting individual learning outside school, having a curious mind, and building a good character are vital for the formation of physicians that transcend beyond all levels of academic and clinical expertise.
To close the event, the dean remarked that in every medical student, it is important to have the intrinsic desire to always seek for knowledge in this ever-changing world.
On February 10, 2015 in the Angelo King Auditorium Lobby, the class of 2019 culminated their six-session Introduction to the Medical Profession course.
This module, which aims to develop compassionate and professional physicians, was established upon the deanship of Dean Brigido L. Carandang.
Originally, the class was titled “Psychiatry Module”, and was overseen by the Psychology Department, who was believed to have the most relevant expertise for the objective. This evolved to what is now known as, “Introduction to the Medical Profession”, which covers the topics of communication, teamwork, and professionalism.
As a conclusion to this course, a pledge-taking event was organized by the SLCM administration with the active assistance of the student council. It was hosted by council members Junelle Dumangon and Cheska Malubay.
The gathering started with an opening prayer led by Agape member Ea Tan, followed by a message from Dr. Marilyn Atienza, the Associate Dean of the College.
In Dr. Atienza’s message, she addressed the freshmen, emphasizing how important professionalism is in the practice of medicine.
Dr. Atienza expressed that students must not passively wait for professionalism to be imbibed in their formation to medical doctors.
Dr. Atienza continues to say that character building is of prime importance. The holistic approach to the ‘Lukan doctor’ proudly maintains this.
To grasp this reality, Dr. Atienza shared the anecdote of medical clerk Matthew Reyes who, despite his infant role in the structural delivery in the hospital, exemplified a great doctor-patient relationshipin his interaction with one of his patients.
After the associate dean gave her message, the students were given 15 minutes to compose a personal pledge of professionalism for themselves.
Their pledges were sealed in envelopes and the students were called to the stage in pairs alphabetically to place their pledge in a box.
The class of 2019 will open the box and their letters before they embark on their clerkship in 2017. Until then, the box, along with a framed batch pledge, will be placed near the school library where it can serve as a reminder of their commitment.
Next, the class was led in a batch pledge by their president, Nicole Marie Manalastas. The class of 2019 created the pledge in a collaborative effort from the consolidation of insights and lessons they had garnered in the course.
In the pledge, the students stressed committing themselves to excellence and high standard of service at all times; innovation and social responsibility; compassion and empathy; to use individual differences as a strength in helping others; to always remember their purpose in times of struggle and difficulties; and to always commit themselves in enjoying and loving what they do.
The dean of the college, Dr. Brigido L. Carandang, concluded the program by commending the batch pledge.
Dean Carandang reinforced that life is about more than just school. He also advocated the ability to adapt to changes in the study of medicine over time.
He said that in medical school, the curriculum must be dynamic to cater to the call of advancement in the field of medicine. In accordance to this, since his deanship, the administration has taken aggressive and effective measures to change the curriculum to efficiently mold well-rounded physicians.
He elaborated that promoting individual learning outside school, having a curious mind, and building a good character are vital for the formation of physicians that transcend beyond all levels of academic and clinical expertise.
To close the event, the dean remarked that in every medical student, it is important to have the intrinsic desire to always seek for knowledge in this ever-changing world.