This year holds special meaning for the Section of Urology of St. Luke’s Medical Center.Just like a child crossing the stage of adolescence, the Section of Urology has gained the maturity to stand alone and be recognized as the newest Institute of the hospital. With that, we earned tThe distinction of being the first “Institute of Urology” in the Philippines. Together with attaining this status, the hospital likewise created a new Stone and Prostate Treatment Center located at the second floor of the Institution. The said center houses the Medispec EM 1000 Lithotripter, the first of its kind in the country, and the Medispec Thermaspec Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT) machine.
In line with the Institution’s thrust of providing World Class Health Care, the year marked the continuing efforts of our consultants and graduates to seek further studies. This is in congruence with St. Luke’s continuing quest for excellence in patient health care. Dr. Vanessa A. Geron, the most recent graduate of the Institute, spent four months in Germany undergoing training in Laparoscopy and Endourology under the tutelage of Prof. Jens Rassweiller. She is presently in Japan undergoing further training in Urologic Oncology. Many of the consultant staff of the Institution likewise attended workshops, conventions both here and abroad in an effort to improve not only their personal skills and knowledge, but to likewise share this with the Residents of the Institute. Our Chief Resident, Dr. Francis Raymund C. Gonzales, brought honor to not only the Institute but the hospital as whole by topping this year’s Clinical part of the In Service exam for residents given by the Philippine Board of Urology (PBU).
The year marked the celebration of our “16th Urology Week”, an annual event that the urologic community in the country highly anticipates. The week long celebration was enthusiastically participated by the other training institutions in the country. Included in the week long celebration was the first Achilles G. Bartolome “Bart’s Cup” golf tournament, held at Valley Golf and Country Club. This event was organized in cooperation with the St. Luke’s Urology Alumni Association in honor of our long time Section chief and mentor Dr. Achilles G. Bartolome. The 15th Case Presentation Contest was likewise held the same week with our very own Dr. Rosito Bascuna, Jr. garnering 1st place for his paper “Skip Metastasis to the Appendix from a Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma arising from a Urethral Diverticulum.” We were fortunate to have two distinguished Urologist for our Post-graduate course in The Use of Laser in Urology and Robotics in Urology. Our very own, Dr. Dennis Lusaya touched on the merits of Laser in Urology while Professor Ching Chon Min, a distinguised Urologist from the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore,talked on the use of Robotics in Urology and Female Incontinence. The weeklong celebration was capped by the always entertaining and much anticipated Mr. and Ms. Urology. Top honors were garnered by representatives from Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
The year was marked by many “first” for us. Although garnering Institute status entails more responsibilities and bigger expectations, I am hopeful that with the support of the hospital, consultant staff, residents and other paramedical personnel, we will continue to be in the forefront of providing the World Class Health Care St. Luke’s has been known for.
Do you hear the stamping of the feet in the pavement? Can you feel the beating of the drums? Do you hear the chant saying Hala Bira!? Its party in Iloilo!!!