TMC Iloilo 1st Scientific Fora showcases medical innovations, shares best practices in Western Visayas
The Medical City Iloilo has once more blazed a trail, organizing its 1st Scientific Fora, showcasing “Medical Innovations in Western Visayas.”
Held at the Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo on October 20-21, the event aimed at sharing best practices in the medical community was attended by some 100 doctors and professionals from across Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental, from both the public and private sectors.
“We wanted to showcase TMC Iloilo, to let Western Visayas know that TMC Iloilo is here, and these are the innovations we can offer to you,” said Dr. Ma. Sancha Pauline “Dr. Popo” Apolto-Garcia, TMC Iloilo Head of Physician Engagement and Development Unit (PEDU) and Over-all Chair of the fora.
TMC Iloilo CEO Felix Ray Villa delivered his closing remarks on the second day of the fora.
“We thought about this a few years back. Since we (TMC Iloilo) already have our residency training program in Internal Medicine (IM) in place, we decided to put the thought into reality, but made sure that there is a diversity or wide range in the fora topics which will benefit not only the IM department but also the departments of Pediatrics, OB-GYN and Surgery.”
Day 1 of the event featured latest developments in acute ischemic stroke management, cardiovascular care of cancer patients, transitioning of patients with congenital heart disease into adulthood, and management of chronic coronary syndrome. Meanwhile, Day 2 featured talks on targeted temperature management, optimal perioperative care in colorectal surgery, management of post-COVID 19 sequelae in primary health care, the new normal in human reproduction, and the role of EMS in the transformation of Western Visayas health care.
The fora speakers came from across the TMC hospital network, leveraging the strength of the enterprise, and other esteemed institutions including West Visayas State University Medical Center and Makati Medical Center.
TMC Iloilo 1st Scientific Fora was attended by doctors and nurses from across Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental.
Dr. Debbie O. Noblezada-Uy, TMC Iloilo Chief Medical Officer and Ways and Means Committee Chair revealed that the medical community’s enthusiastic response moved the organizers to open the event to online participants. The fora’s emphasis on innovation also encouraged TMC Iloilo’s corporate partners to support the event.
Our corporate partners “were eager and enthusiastic, because of our alignment on innovation,” Dr. Noblezada-Uy said. “We are stepping ahead of the curve because ours is not the usual practice. Thus, they want to collaborate with us to ultimately benefit our patients.”
Dr. Dominador del Castillo III, head of TMC Iloilo’s Department of Internal Medicine and Scientific Committee Chair, is confident that the event will lead to the institutionalization of the multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to treating patients in Iloilo resulting in better health outcomes.
Speakers from The Medical City Enterprise as well as other experts from Western Visayas and Metro Manila led discussions at the TMC Iloilo 1st Scientific Fora, with the theme, “Medical Innovations in Western Visayas,” held on October 20-21, 2023, on medical innovations, aimed at greater collaboration and improved health outcomes in Iloilo and the rest of Western Visayas.
“Rather than just presenting what’s new in the medical field, we are presenting the latest medical innovations available in Iloilo,” Dr. del Castillo said.
“Iloilo is fresh ground with a lot of possibilities. I looked forward to more collaborations, more multi-disciplinary treatment modalities to provide better outcomes. Most of the healthcare professionals in Iloilo are open to collaboration, to begin with.”
TMC Iloilo is confident of holding the fora on an annual or every other year basis. “This is definitely going to be a regular event,” said Dr. Apolto-Garcia.
TMC President and Group CEO Dr. Eugene F. Ramos also addressed the participants in a video message on Day 1, calling on doctors to “sustain curiosity and love for new data and to become active participants to changing healthcare. Doctors have the responsibility to adapt to the constant state of evolution (of the practice) for the benefit of our patients.” (TMCI)
