Dumaguete City, June 23–25, 2025 — History was made as the Caraga State University – School of Medicine (CSU-SOM) officially debuted as the newest medical school at the 57th Annual Convention of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC), hosted by Silliman University. SOM Dean Dr. Terista C. Brion also served as one of the convention’s resource speakers, presenting on the school’s core commitment to Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC) and the Five-Star Physician philosophy.
Joining Dean Brion were Dr. Vicente Pitogo, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Michelle V. Japitana, Vice President for Executive Operations; Dr. Mary Grace O. Leopardas, Associate Dean; and Dr. Maria Olivia Bating, SOM Head of Medical Ethics. Their participation marked CSU-SOM’s first appearance at the APMC Convention, joining 78 other medical schools and hundreds of educators, deans, and academic leaders from across the country.
Throughout the three-day event, CSU-SOM delegates engaged in plenary sessions focused on curriculum design, assessment strategies, faculty development, and emerging technologies in medical education. They also participated in the Council of Deans’ strategic discussions on the future direction of Philippine medical education.
On Day 3, Dean Brion delivered her talk titled “Primary Care Community Medicine,” where she presented CSU-SOM’s innovative curriculum rooted in Community-Oriented Primary Care. She emphasized the school’s mission to produce competent, compassionate, and community-responsive Five-Star Physicians equipped to deliver high-quality primary care tailored to the health needs of individuals, families, and communities in Butuan City and the Caraga Region. Her presentation was well-received, illustrating how even a newly established medical school can lead with vision and purpose, aligning closely with the convention’s theme of addressing future healthcare challenges.
The convention also provided valuable opportunities for CSU-SOM to build academic partnerships, benchmark best practices, and expand its professional network for sustainable growth and continuous improvement.
The School of Medicine will be formally launched this July through Medicine Week, a weeklong celebration featuring medical mission, health and wellness fair, wellness talks, the launch of the school’s research agenda, and an open house. │story and photos by Dr. Mary Grace O. Leopardas, SOM
