September 12, 2014

President’s Message

Greetings!

I am deeply honored to be given the opportunity to lead and serve our Alumni Association. The previous officers namely Past President Dr. Brandon D. Ericta, his Board of Trustees and entire Executive Committee have done a tremendous job in keeping the torch of the Alumni burning.

Hence,  allow  me  to  express  my  sincere  gratitude  to  them  for  a  mission successfully accomplished. As their successors, it is my hope that we, the current officers, can live up to their standards, emulate them as well as urpass their achievements. Recently, our Association has taken  another  step  forward  with  the  election  of  a  new  set  of  officers.   This  signified  a  new beginning which brings forth transformation and the birth of novel ideas. Coupled with this move is accepting and embracing challenges that lie ahead in the next three years. It is for this reason that we will need your help and participation.

Our membership is diverse because it is a blend of both senior and youthful generations – a collaboration that reflects wisdom and idealism. I believe it is composed of enthusiastic, hardworking and committed members.

We have a plethora of experts whose knowledge and talents can be put to good use. Therefore, I encourage each of you to increase  your  engagement  with  us  as  we  embark  and  explore  new  horizons.   These  shall  relate  to  fellowship outreach programs and professional growth from a holistic perspective.

To my co-alumni who belong to the younger crop, I challenge you to come out of your chrysalis, spread your wings proudly and be proactively involved for eventually, you shall take over the cudgels of steering this Association.

Let us reach out to one another, rekindle ties which have been lost through time and build lifelong relationships. We can  journey  together  as  a  family  and  as  a  team  as  we  continue  to  nurture  our  organization  to meet  our goals in fulfillment of our mission.

I chose the path to dream big and aim high. I enjoin you to walk with me in this endeavor to bring Cardinal Santos Medical Center Pediatric Alumni Association to the realm of recognition and success.


ROSEMARIE V. SERRANO, MD

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7TH DEMETRIO L. AFRICA LECTURE  

by Dr. Odette Nebre-Lising 

It is the time of the year when we honor one of the pillars of the CSMC Department of Pediatrics. The 7th Demetrio L. Africa Annual Lecture was held last August 1, 2014 at CSMC Assembly Hall with guest speaker Mr. Bernard Marquez who talked about Emotional Literacy.

The  event  was  attended  by  our distinguished  birthday celebrant, Dr. Africa, his family, friends, and colleagues  from  Cardinal  Santos  Medical  Center, Delos Santos Medical Center, F.I.R.S.T. Inc., and Philippine Pediatric  Society.   The  program  was  led  by  Drs.  Cynthia Clemente and Edwin Rodriguez. Dr. Naval Rivas gave the Invocation and led the National Anthem. 

Dr.  Joseph  Regalado  gave  the heartwarming  opening  remarks and  spoke  about  our  beloved “Tatay.”  Drs.  Marichu  De  Chavez  and Wiwi  Gunawan  serenaded  our celebrant  with  their  own  version of  Way  Back  Into  Love.   Before the  event  came  to  an  end,  Dr. Rosemarie  Serrano,  the  CSMC PAA  President  gave  her  closing remarks.

It was an afternoon of thanksgiving for our mentor, for all the hard work and sacrifice he has done for the department  and  every  resident  who  has  been  under  his training. We love you Tatay!  

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BEING A CHAIRMAN AND BEYOND

By:  Dr. Josy Naty Venturina & Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza

Dr. Maria Rosario Gamus-Te graduated from her residency training in Cardinal Santos Medical Center in 1978. After which she served as a supervisory fellow of the department for another year and a half. Having spent much time with the department, she naturally looked forward to focusing and spending more time for herself, her family, and private practice.

Since 1981, Dr. Te had to portray many roles. She was a wife to Dr. Camilo Te, an orthopedic surgeon; a mom to her five  children:  Camilo,  Jr.,  Adrian,  Michael,  Lorenzo,  and  Vincent;  and,  a  grandma to  Caitlin,  Adriana,  and Angelo. Gardening, going to the mall and spending time with her sister were things she enjoyed doing when she was not busy at  home  or  at  the  hospi- tal.   She  was  fairly  content  and happy  with  this  routine.  Holding a position in the department and taking on addi- tional  responsibilities  not  even once  crossed  her  mind.  Yet, God had a different agenda.

In  2009,  Dr.  Te  became  the first alumna to be elected as chairman  of  the  Depart- ment  of  Pediatrics  of  CSMC. 

When  asked  why  she  cried  upon  hearing  the  news, she  simply  said,  “I  didn’t  like it!” She knew what sacrifices and  responsibilities  of  being  a  chairman  entailed.  And despite the shocking rev- elation,  Dr.  Te  embraced  this new  challenge  with  open  arms  for  the  love  of  the  department. 

During her 7 years as chairman, Dr. Te managed to handle all the administrative issues and challenges of the department with much passion and grace. Being a chairman not only allowed her to grow more as an individual, but also enabled her to put into practice the values and principles she lives by. Respect for others and professionalism, she says, were the foundation values that sustained her to fulfill this role. Among her various accomplishments, upgrading the accreditation of our residency training program to Level 2 is what she is most proud of.

Although her children are all grown up and do not need direct supervision any longer, Dr. Te has made it a point to always put her family as her first priority. Despite her busy schedule at the hospital, setting her priorities right allowed her to put a balance with her duties at the hospital and at home. As she has learned from one of her mentors, “every one is expendable” –she can ask someone  else to fill in for her and delegate tasks so she can attend to more important matters and make no compromises.

As her term of being a chairman draws to a close, Dr. Te says that the journey in the fewest words was challenging yet fulfilling. Although her family is proud of what she has accomplished, she is now more than eager to go back to her previous routine: spending more time with them, frequent visits to the province and of course, shopping at 168.

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NEW ALUMNI SUBSPECIALISTS

By Dr. Josy Naty Venturina

About 13% of the alumni of the Pediatric Residency Training Program of Cardinal Santos Medical Center took post residency subspecialty training. Since 2011, seven of our alumni became new subspecialists in the different fields of pediatrics. Here are some updates.

Dr. Jonalyn Tan-Ang took Pediatric Neurology at UST from 2008-2010. She also took Clinical  Neurophysiology  at  the  same  institution  in  2011  and  Sleep Medicine  in  UCLA  Sleep  Disorders Center and Laboratory in 2012. She is currently an active staff member in our institution 

and is also affiliated with UST, Lung Center of the Philippines and Chinese General Hospital.

Dr.  Jo-Anne  Mayor-Luna  graduated  last  December  2011  in  Neonatology  at  UST.   She 

recently passed the diplomate examination given July this year. She is now practicing parttime in Caloocan and Bulacan. She is affiliated with Malvar, Nodado and Grace General Hospitals and is an NRP instructor for UST.

Dr.  Mary  Kristine  Belen-Ciabal,  a  Pediatric  Rheumatologist,  graduated  from  UP-PGH  in 

2011. She is currently practicing in Laguna and affiliated with Marian Hospital Sta. Rosa, Health 

Serve Los Baños Community General Hospital and San Pablo City Medical Center. She is also 

a visiting consultant at the Makati Medical Center.

Dr. Maria Tricia Subido  is now a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist. She graduated from PCMC in 2012 and is now a diplomate of the PIDSP. She is an active staff in our institution and also holds the position of Medical Specialist III at RITM, where she heads the Animal Bite Treatment Center and Emergency Unit. She is also the head of the section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Pedia ICC at the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center and a visiting consultant at Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Dr. Maria Cristina Santiago is a graduate of Pediatric Pulmonology at St. Luke’s Medical Center in January 2013. Currently, she is a medical examiner at St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic. She is planning to take the diplomate examination in pulmonology next year.

Dr. Eric Tan  took his training in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in 2012 and Children’s Emergency in 2013 at the National University Hospital in Singapore. He is currently practicing in Taguig City and is affiliated in St. Clare’s Medical Center and Medical Center of Taguig City. He is also a Pediatric ER consultant at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City. He is planning to complete his training in Children’s Emergency at the Philippine General Hospital.

Last year,  yours truly  completed the fellowship training in Pediatric Pulmonology at PCMC & is currently a diplomate of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists who is also an active staff member in our institution and Delos Santos Medical Center; a visiting consultant at PCMC & Lung Center of the Philippines; currently holding clinic at the MyHealth Clinic Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

We  have three  graduates  currently  taking  up fellowship  training  at PCMC.   They  are  Dr. Renee  Ghayne  Saulog -Katigbak  (2nd year Neuro-Developmental  Pediatrics),  Dr.  Katrina  Ortega  (2nd year  Hematology  and  Oncology),  and  Dr.  Julia  Mae  Yulde-Cruz  (1st year Adolescent Medicine).

Dr. Deanne Carla N. De Mesa is now taking up basic course in Health Professions Education and eventually plans to shift to masteral degree. 

Indeed, a wide rage of opportunities may come after residency training. And with the outstanding 

mentorship in the Pediatric Residency Training Program of CSMC, each alumni is bound to excel 

in the field of their choice. 

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2014 CSMC PAA BUSINESS MEETING

by Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza

The annual CSMC Pediatric Alumni Association meeting was held last April 8, 2014 at the Leyte Room of Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Manila. There were a good number of attendees. One of whom was Dr. Dolores Gloriani, an alumna who has long been based in the United States and was very much missed. We were also fortunate to have Dr. Demetrio Africa join us.

To start the meeting proper, Dr. Brandon Ericta, the outgoing CSMC PAA President, gave a summary of his accomplishments and future plans for the Association. Dr. Angel Moral-  Mendoza presented the 2013 Treasurer’s Report on Dr. Conchita Go’s behalf.

Nominations for new officers were done and announced to the rest of the body.

  President: Dr. Rosemarie Serrano

  Vice President: Dr. Dolores Bustamante

  Secretary: Dr. Sheila Rodriguez

  Assistant Secretary: Dr. Veronica Cruz-Garcia

COMMITTEE HEADS & MEMBERS

COMMUNITY:

 Dr. Justina Pangilinan

Cochair: Dr. Josy Naty Venturina

Members : Dr. Jocelyn Lee-Ngo / Dr. Audrey Vaneza Tan-Ang 

WAYS & MEANS: 

Dr. Janet. Panagsagan

Co-chair: Dr. Eduardo Borja

Members: Dr. Edna Ruth Santiago / Dr. Joseph Regalado 

Dr. Resurrecion Acop / Dr. Joy Ty-Sy / Dr. Aura Pasco-Mendoza

ACADEMICS, EXTERNAL: 

Dr. Dolores Bustamante

Vice Chair: Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza

Members: Dr. Maria Caridad Donato

Dr. Jocelyn Lee

Dr. Jennifer Serrano

ACADEMICS, INTERNAL: 

Dr. Beverly Jane Chua

Member: Dr. Deanne Carla De Mesa

SOCIALS: 

Dr. Cynthia Marissa Clemente

Co- Chair: Dr. Veronica Cruz-Garcia

Dr. Leny Lyn Lopez-Evangelista

Dr. Froilan Vicente Vinuya 

Dr. Dolores Raquel Sta. Ines

COMELEC: 

Dr. Brandon Ericta

Members: Dr. Sheila Rodriguez / Dr. Teldy Ley –Ch

Dr. Audrey Vaneza Tan-Ang 

Dr. Justiina Pangilinan

PUBLICATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS: 

Dr. Maria Patricia Ludan

Co chair (Publications): Dr. Odette Nebre-Lising

Co chair (Communications): Dr. Consuelo Teodoro

Members: Dr. Josy Naty Venturina 

Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza

MEMBERSHIP: 

Dr. Sheila Rodriguez

Co-Chair: Dr. Karen Ann Lim

Members: Dr. Audrey Vaneza Tan-Ang 

Dr. Maria Caridad Donato

SCHOLARSHIP: 

Dr. Maria Naval Rivas

Co-Chair: Dr. Brandon Ericta

Members: Dr. Wilfredo Mejia / Dr. Froilan Vicente Vin

BY-LAWS & AMENDMENTS: 

Dr. Edwin Rodriguez

Towards  the  end  of  the  meeting,  Dr  . Maria  Naval  Rivas  invited  a  financial manager  from Manulife  who  gave  a short  lecture  on  the  various  options available for the association to invest its funds in.

The  room  was  indeed  filled  with  lively chitchat, laughter, and fun. Great company and good food was a guaranteed formula  to  send  us  all  home  with  big smiles on our faces.

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By:  Dr. Veronica Cruz-Garcia

Zumba  is  a  dance  fitness  program  created  by  Colombian  dancer  and  choreographer  Alberto

Perez during the 1990s and is one of the latest fitness crazes. It involves dance and aerobic elements 

incorporating  cumbia,  salsa,  merengue,  mambo,  flamenco,  cha -cha,  reggaeton,  soca,  samba,  hip  hop, tango and martial arts. 

Zumba sessions are typically about an hour long and taught by instructors licensed by an organization called Zumba Academy. The exercises include music with fast and slow rhythms, as well as resistance training. It is for everyone of all ages! Skills are not required.. only requirements are the love for dance, music, and the willingness to try something new. 

Last August 8, 2014, some members of the CSMC PAA got together at the CSMC Assembly Hall to try out Zumba together. Another Zumba session will be held on September 5 and September 12, 2014 at 4:30 PM, after the CSMC Pediatric Department's Friday Conference at the Assembly Hall. All members of the department and alumni association are invited to attend. The activity aims to reconnect our members while keeping fit and having fun.

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MILESTONES:

It  is  with  great  honor  that  last  August 15,  2014,  esteemed  members  of  the  Department of Pediatrics were recipients of the CSMC Ruby Awards. The Awardees were chosen in accordance to their exemplary contribution and the practice of the CSMC "Core Values" that positively and significantly contributed to the continuous success and improvement of all the stakeholders.

ADDITIONAL MILESTONES

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Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia

By: Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza & Dr. Jona Naty Venturina

Last  April  2013,  the  2013  Task  force  on  pCAP  of  the  Philippine  Academy  of  Pediatric  Pulmonologists [PAPP], launched the latest update in the evaluation and management of pediatric community acquired pneumonia. This document presented revisions on several recommendations based on recent evidence from local and foreign literature. 

The 12 clinical questions from the 2004 Clinical Practice Guideline in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia, and 2008 Update in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia, were retained.

This new document stated that the presence of pneumonia may be considered even without a chest radiograph in a patient presenting with cough and/or respiratory difficulty plus any of the following predictors of radiographic pneumonia namely tachypnea as defined by World Health Organization [WHO] in a patient aged 3 months to 5 years;  or fever at any age ; or   oxygen saturation less than or equal to 92% at room air at any age   in the absence of any co-existing illness (neurologic, musculoskeletal, or cardiac condition) that may potentially affect oxygenation. 

In the previous publications, the risk classification for pneumonia-related mortality was divided into minimal, low, moderate and high risk. The revised guideline included the PAPP (pCAP A,B,C,D), PHIC (Pneumonia I and II) and WHO (Nonsevere, Severe, and Very Severe) classifications. 

It is  emphasized in  this  guideline that  chest x-ray,  complete  blood count,  C-reactive  protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, procalcitonin, or blood culture should not be routinely requested to determine appropriateness of antibiotic usage. Chest x-ray may be requested only to rule out pneumonia-related complications or pulmonary conditions  simulating  pneumonia  and  should  not  be  routinely  requested  to  predict  end-of-treatment  clinical  outcome. 

For patients classified as pCAP C, oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry or arterial blood gas determination should be done to assess gas exchange. Gram stain and/or culture and sensitivity of pleural fluid if present should be done to determine etiology. 

Amoxicillin [40-50 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for at most 7 days] remains to be the drug of choice for a patient who has been classified as pCAP A or pCAP B and who has not received any previous antibiotic. On the other hand, for a patient who has been classified as pCAP C requiring hospitalization and has not received any previous antibiotic, and has completed the primary immunization against Haemophilus influenzae type b [Hib], penicillin G [100,000 units/kg/day in 4 divided doses] administered as monotherapy should be administered. While for those  who  has  not  completed  the  primary immunization  or  immunization  status  unknown  against  Hib,  ampicillin [100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses] administered as monotherapy can be initially given. For patients above15 years of age, a parenteral non-  antipseudomonal  β-lactam (β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination (BLIC), cephalosporin or carbapenem] + extended macrolide [azithromycin or clarithromycin], or a parenteral non-antipseudomonal β-lactam [β-lactam/  β-  lactamase inhibitor combination(BLIC], cephalosporin or carbapenem] + respiratory fluoroquinolones [levofloxacin or moxifloxacin] administered as combination therapy may be given. 

Cough preparation, elemental zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D and chest physiotherapy should not be routinely given during the course of illness as they have not been shown to be beneficial. For patients with pCAP C, oxygen and hydration should be administered whenever applicable. 

A bronchodilator and steroid may be administered only in the presence of wheezing.

In order to prevent pneumonia, vaccination against  Streptococcus pneumoniae,  Influenza, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Rubeola, Varicella, and Haemophilus Influenzae type b  should be given. Elemental zinc may be given for 

ages 2 to 59 months for 4 to 6 months. 

The PAPP Task Force on pCAP is periodically assessing the acceptability and applicability of this guideline in primary care practice. The next update will be released by 2016 during the PAPP Annual Convention. A full text of the current guideline is available free at the PAPP secretariat. Please contact 332-8855 for more details.