Advocacies and Other Miscellaneous Activities in Tinglan

Presentation for the CHP update on October 22, 2011

Advocacies and Other Miscellaneous Activities in Tinglan on Prezi

Transformative Medical Education through experiential Learning

Ateneo de Zamboanga University-School of Medicine is known to have pioneered an innovative medical school in southern Philippines. It started a whole new approach as compared to well-known and established medical schools in the country. Moving away from the Flexnerian model, a curriculum of Problem Based Learning, Competency based assessment and Experiential Learning in rural communities. This triple helix curriculum, gave more meaning for students to learn in context while empowering them towards a social accountability role for nation building while still doctors in the making. This model brings explicit the “hidden curriculum” of student’s Social Accountability in helping to transform a community, while the community is helping to transform students as well.

It has been a recognized reality that poverty produces a wide gap between rich and poor. This does not speak of health care alone but for all aspect of life in its broadest sense. ADZU-SOM’s medical curriculum is grounded on this truth. It made particular consideration by incorporating three learning strands, particularly working problem strand, population medicine strand and professional skills strand. These strands speak of the school’s commitment in producing competent, self-directed, effective medical practitioners responsive to the needs of those who are underserved and less privileged.

In a span of 16 years, this curriculum has produced 179 full pledge doctors, 95% staying in the country, 90% practicing in the region, while 50% serving in rural remote areas. Significant impact on health has likewise been felt in the region, with the graduates providing bridging leadership to stand in the gap for peace and development.

The Rite of Passage

The end of the semester does not only bring hope to our tired brains but a relief from the long gruelling months of academic challenges. The end marks the beginning of a four-week long community exposure. And this time around is summer. And summer offers great opportunity to break from our usual community routines. And I guess you know what I am talking about.

The moment we embarked on our return, preparations were set into place for our planned free circumcision program. We coordinated with the Barangay Council of Tinglan headed by the Village Chief Edgar Manlud and our Community preceptor Dr. Felicita L. Sampul-Reluya. Sir Edgar was more than willing and supportive of our ideas. And so the date was set on April 12, 2011.

That faithful day arrived and I saw a long queue of children waiting for their turn. Looking at them brings me back 18 years ago when I was roughly at their age. I was never excited having to undergo the so called “rite of passage.” But they are entirely different as I am; they are willing to experience the pain and to come out triumphant exclaiming “dili nako pisot...”

Luckily for me, tables have turned and I am not at the receiving end.

Continuing with what we started.

It is almost two years now since we first set foot on a once unknown community to me. A place I never knew existed until I joined Ateneo de Zamboanga University- School of Medicine. It was indeed a life changing event for me. A life of adventure awaits each day which is truly different from any other day in my life.

Meeting me along this journey are ten amazing individuals who became known to me as Team “Los Conquistadores” Tinglan. We may not be the perfect group but for me this group is my home. With them I am happy to share my perspective of this journey we all are taking.

We have started well in the community. We were able to win the hearts of the people with nothing more than our presence. We were welcomed with open arms and we are very much thankful for that. Community folks are all very accommodating. We were able to look into their ways and were able to establish goals with them. Immersing ourselves with the community did not only open our understanding but also broadened our perspective as future medical practioners. We have become better persons in general. We got along well with each other and ourselves as well.

Spending almost a month together as a group allowed us to bond. Interesting insights were shared. Stories heard and laughter reverberated were all signs of a happy and contented group. We grew closer day by day drawing strength on each other. It went on this way for entire school year during our first year. But just with any other relationships, one must undergo struggles. We came to a point when all of these realities are indeed painful to accept. It dawned on us that some will have to take an academic pause. A thought so distant to us but is now an inevitable fact. Laughter now became tears, our joys into sorrows and hope into despair. From a happy group of 11, we are now a sadder 7 man-team. We may eventually develop acceptance but the true gravity of the situation will be revealed when we return to the community.

The community waited six months for our return. Once again we were greeted with the same sweet smiles. But along those smiles were questions that are hard to answer, “nganong murag kulang man mu sir?” it’s just one of the many questions thrown at me by one of our tanods. I just nodded and said “naay plano ang Ginoo para sa ila, ‘di pa man nato masabtan karon pero basi sa sunod.”

Six months have passed and we are again in the community. It will never be the same for it’s about time for us to face the reality, the reality of missing most of our group mates who are no longer with us this exposure. The fun and experiences will always linger. Memories once shared will reecho the now silent corners of our Tinglan base. We are four persons fewer now but we are ever more committed in pursuing what we have started.

Our medical school is indeed beyond the usual school. Not your usual laughter and most of all not your usual tears. We may be feeling lost and despaired at times but this is just as necessary. This is life painted on vivid colors. No book illustrations can ever replace the lessons we gain. Our experiences put greater emphasis on becoming medical doctors who truly care and in touch with the lives of people we serve. And I can attribute this transformational work with our exposures to the community. For we have experienced what it is like to walk with the lowly and broken-hearted.

Smoking: An Inconvenient Truth

The truth hurts. Spread the knowledge.

SMOKE - The Convenient Truth

DSM through the years

This caught my attention.

12 days of Christmas: Cranial Nerves Rendition

What a fun way to great your seniors and mentors during the holidays!



presented by:

New Jersey Medical School Vocal Chords A Cappella Ensemble performing the 12 Cranial Nerves of Christmas. December 15, 2008. Newark, NJ.