Zamboanga Medical School Foundation - A Legacy

In 1994, I HELPED established and developed the Zamboanga Medical School Foundation (ZMSF) in Zamboanga City upon the invitation of Dr. Fortunato Cristobal. The ZMSF has since changed its name to Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine. It is still in existence as of 2018 (24 years now). It has produced graduates who have become municipal health officers in areas in the Zamboanga Peninsula in which previously there were no physicians. It is the first medical school which has produced physicians with dual degree program (MD- MPH). I am very proud of the outcomes of the ZMSF under the leadership of Dr. Fortunato Cristobal. I am very happy.

I consider ZMSF as a legacy I leave and will leave behind - a legacy in problem-based, community-based and competency-based medical education and a legacy in dual degree physician program (as a result of the community-based medical curriculum that I HELPED design in 1994).

I like to thank Dr. Fortunato Cristobal for this opportunity.

First batch of faculty who underwent training in 1993 under my guidance.

A scene in the faculty training in Zamboanga City in 1993.

MD-MPH Program

A scene in facilitating problem-based learning of ZMSF students circa 1994.

In 2014, I was invited to be the keynote speaker of the 17th Commencement Exercises.

I consider ZMSF as a legacy I leave and will leave behind - a legacy in problem-based, community-based and competency-based medical education and a legacy in dual degree physician program (as a result of the community-based medical curriculum that I HELPED design in 1994).

I like to thank Dr. Fortunato Cristobal for this opportunity.

2019 June

In June 2019, I received the above invitation from Dean Fortunato Cristobal inviting me to be the keynote speaker in the 25th Anniversary of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine. I had to turn down the invitation for health reasons.

In June 20, 2019, I received this reply from Dr. Cristobal and I am particularly elated with his statement: "I still feel that ADZU SOM owe much to you for setting us 25 years ahead of the rest of the Medical School in the country. What they are talking now about Terminal Competencies, 5 star physicians and Outcome Based education, OSCE etc, you had well articulated them in the ADZU SOM curriculum. These cannot be erased in our history."

Dear Rey,

I understand and respect your decision. I was just wondering what health concerns you have and how I could pray for you?

As regards to the anecdotes, could you send these before the end of this month? With your permission, as we narrate these anecdotes, can we flash at least your picture on screen briefly? I still feel that ADZU SOM owe much to you for setting us 25 years ahead of the rest of the Medical School in the country. What they are talking now about Terminal Competencies, 5 star physicians and Outcome Based education, OSCE etc, you had well articulated them in the ADZU SOM curriculum. These cannot be erased in our history.

Keep well my dear friend.

khryss

In July 1, 2019, I received a follow-up email from Dean Cristobal. I am particularly elated with his statements: "Looking back your mind set was way ahead of our times by 20 year+. It is only now the other medical schools are considering seriously about Terminal Objectives, and about the 5-star physicians, when in fact you were the first to introduce the terms: Physician Clinician, Physician Manager, Physician Researcher, Physician Leader / Manager, and Physician Teacher ..... You were also the first to introduce PBL, competency-based, and COME curriculum in the Philippines, not to mention assessments like OSCE."