- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has been serving the needs of pregnant and non-pregnant women from the days of the Afable College of Medicine to the present. It was formally established as an academic department in 1947 as part of MCU. At that time there were there were only four to five faculty members. Through the years the number of faculty members gradually increased to fifteen in answer to the growing needs of the college and hospital.
A glimpse of the past shows that the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has had seven chairpersons. They were: Dr. Juan Galang, Dr. Guillermo del Castillo, Dr.Gloria Tancingco-Yambao, Dr. Jose Genato, Dr. Guillerma N. Sahagun, and Dr. Walfrido W. Sumpaico. Dr. Lyra Ruth C. Teodoro presently occupies the position.
Dr. Guillerma N. Sahagun was instrumental in many improvements in the department during her chairmanship. She found ways to improve the department's funds and acquire new equipment. Her personal obstetrical skill attracted any patients to MCU-FDTMF.
During the last decade the rapid improvement in diagnostic technology and the overwhelming development in the field of computers provided new areas of subspecialties to the aspiring postgraduate trainees in OB-GYN. The birth of different fields of sub-specialties in Obstetrics and Gynecology came about. This required the expertise of more faculty members. To cope with the changing times, the department has been divided into sections to cover the different areas of sub-specialization in OB-GYN. These are the following: Perinatology, Endocrinology and Infertility, Oncology, Endoscopy and Trophoblastic diseases.
Dr. Walfrido W. Sumpaico succeeded Dr. Sahagun as chairperson. He encouraged additional training of faculty members and younger residents in institutions out-side of MCU. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of the "top of the line ultra-sound equipment". As a result, better services were provided to the patients. With the acquisition of new knowledge and better experience, Dr. Sumpaico initiated projects which allowed the department to share its expertise by offering short courses in ultra-sound to physicians. Today, steps have been taken through the efforts of Dr. Sumpaico and the administration to expand its training program to include fellowship training in Perinatology and fellowship training and preceptorship in OB-GYN and Ultrasound.
The department has so far graduated 32 residents from its residency training program, 14 of whom are diplomates and fellows of the Philippine Obstetrical Society.Presently the department has nine residents.
Dr. Lyra Teodoro succeeded Dr. Sumpaico as chairperson of the department. She has continued in the tradition of those who came before her. Her commitment and dedication to the department has resulted in optimism among the faculty members. After her , Dr. Imelda Andres took over as chairperson.
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
The postgraduate training programs started when the department felt strong enough to offer it to interested postgraduate trainees. The vision was to program in-house training programs for interested MDs and to offer postgraduate courses within the hospital premises and satellite seminars outside the walls of the university and the hospital. This has led to the creation of the Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Postgraduate Studies(COGPOGS).
IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROGRAMS
These training programs have been divided into two categories: FELLOWSHIP AND PRECEPTORSHIP. Preference for the choice of trainees is heavily in favor of MDs practicing in the rural/government training hospitals.
1. Fellowship: The subspecialties currently involved are Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound and Maternal and Fetal Medicine (Perinatology)
1. 1. Perinatology: This is a 2-year program, one year of which is heavily involved in OB-GYN Ultrasound and the other year deals mostly with the comprehensive care of the high risk mother and her child. Four members of the faculty supervise their training. Initially, the training program started out with I trainee every two years but later increased the trainees to I new trainee every 6 months starting January and July of every year. Four have finished the program and three are currently being trained.
1.2. Ultrasound: This is a 1 -year program dealing with all aspects of ultrasound in the specialty including basic ultrasound, color Doppler studies, invasive ultrasound techniques and 3-D ultrasound. Five members of the faculty supervise their training. Initially, this subspecialty started out with I trainee every year but later increased the trainees to 2 every 6 months starting January and July of every year. Seven have finished the program and four are currently being trained.
2. Preceptorship: These are in-house short courses on OB-GYN ultrasound (3 months),cardiotocography (2 weeks) and hysteroseopy (3 days). These courses are mainly for use in personal clinical practice but we still exercise some quality control after the preceptees finish their course. About I00 preceptees have completed the Ultrasound program, 40 the Hysteroscopy program and 7 the CTG program.
POSTGRADUATE COURSES
These are annual or semi-annual courses held within the campus. These include:
1.Eleven (11) courses for general OB-GYN practitioners
2.Ten (10) courses for registered nurses and midwives
3.Four (4) subspecialty courses on Ultrasound (2), Maternal and Fetal Medicine (1) and Hysteroscopy
SATELLITE SEMINARS
These are postgraduate seminars (with workshops) which the department has held in various urban centers outside Manila . The department has had the following satellite seminars:
1.OB-GYN Ultrasound (8 courses in Manila, Baguio City, San Fernando, Cavite,Naga City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Davao City)
2.Cardiotocography (3 courses in Manila , Cebu City and Davao City 3.Hysteroscopy (3 courses in Manila , Cebu City and Davao City )
The COGPOGS Director is Dr. Walfrido Sumpaico and the Subspecialty Coordinators are Dr. Lyra Ruth Teodoro (Ultrasound), Dr. Florida L. Tan (Maternal and Fetal Medicine and CTG), Dr. Regta L. Pichay (Hysteroscopy and Gynecologic Endoscopy) andDr. Alejandro R. San Pedro (Postgraduate Courses for Midwives and Nurses).
Regta L. Pechay, M.D.
Chairman
Imelda O. Andres, M.D.
Carmen C. Muñiz, M.D.
Edna C. Banta, M.D.
Noel E. Raymundo, M.D.
Lyra Ruth C Chua, M.D.
Alejandro R. San Pedro, M.D.
Rosemarie A. Doctor, M.D.
Walfrido W. Sumpaico, M.D.
Rodante P. Galiza, M.D.
Flerida L. Tan, M.D.
Milagros T. Jocson, M.D.
Angelita R. Teotico, M.D.
Ma. Lourdes M. Liwag, M.D.
Ma. Victoria V. Torres, M.D.
Esmarliza T. Luzon, M.D.
