MISSION, VISION & HISTORY

VISION

Silliman University Medical School’s vision is to become the leading institution in the region in providing quality medical education committed to produce competent physicians who are guided by Christian principles in the provision of excellent health care.

MISSION

The Silliman University Medical School’s mission is to produce medical graduates [a] who can excel in any of the responsible roles as health providers, teachers, researchers, administrators, and social mobilizers in the Philippine health care system, [b] who possess the necessary skills for a lifelong and self-directed learning; and [c] whose caring, compassion and social consciousness emphasize the quality of such education.

PHILOSOPHY

This medical education is committed to the development of physicians who maintain and promote the health of the community in line with changing medical needs and demands of the time along with the leadership in the pursuit of medical excellence.

Silliman University’s medical education is also committed to the development of educators who foster a student-centered learning process, who can upgrade such medical education, and who can serve as student models as well. The development of quality Christian education – as spelled out in the objectives of the school – is a commitment to excellence in the next millennium.

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OBJECTIVES

• To develop knowledgeable professionals who can define and manage the health problems of the patient, the family and the community.
• To nurture the creative thinking skills and problem-solving abilities among medical students.
• To master the strategies for case analysis in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• To encourage the student resourcefulness in data gathering and interpretation.
• To foster leadership capabilities among the students as well as enhance their active participation in a team of health care providers.
• To encourage students into a lifelong and self-directed learning.
• To inculcate in them the feelings of sensitivity, empathy and compassion in dealing with patients, relatives and colleagues in the health profession.
• To promote ethical and moral values in the studentry.
• To develop the student’s capability to use the wholistic approach to patient care.

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HISTORY
By: Jonathan C. Amante M.D., F.P.C.P., F.P.S.N

The present effort started on October 20, 1997 when the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee was called. This was attended by Dr. Jonathan C. Amante, Prof. Reynaldo Y. Rivera, Dr. Brenda V. Diputado, Dr. Lynn L. Olegario and Dr. Erlinda Lim-Juan at the Cunningham Hall. This was a brain-storming meeting, covering the issues on curriculum, physical plant, and related concerns.

On October 21, 1997, Dr. Amante consulted with Dr. Fernando Sanchez in Manila, the latter being the Chairman of the Task Force on Reformation of Medical Education and past President of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC). The results were reported to Silliman University President Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, VPAA Teresita Sy-Sinda and the members of the Ad Hoc Committee. Another serial follow-up meetings were done in Manila until November 6, 1997 where the plan to hold a Symposium on Innovative Medical Curriculum was finalized. This was held at the Cunningham Hall on November 29, 1997, facilitated by the members of the Task Force attended by the Silliman University Administration, Ad Hoc Committee and the prospective faculties.

After two more meetings in February and April 1998 in Manila of Dr. Amante and Dr. Sanchez with the Task Force members, Dr. Reyes and Dr. Tantengco, a Workshop on Medical Curriculum planning was scheduled and implemented on April 24-25 1998. This was followed by another meeting in Manila on May 6, 1998 for re-evaluation. Meanwhile, the prospective Faculty Teachers’ Training was started on January 31, 1998 and almost every Saturday thereafter at the Cunningham Hall. This was conducted by Prof. Reynaldo Y. Rivera, Silliman University Registrar, Dr. Betsy Joy B. Tan, Dean of College of Education, and Prof. Loreta Lachica, Director of the Office of Instruction. The training ended on June 6, 1998.

Subsequently, the Silliman University Medical School Program proposal was endorsed by the University Academic Council on August 18, 1998 for opening the following school year 1999-2000. But the Board of Trustees (BOT) deferred the decision. It was only during the BOT’s meeting on January 11, 2003 that a decision was reached: to open the new Medical School in School Year 2004-2005 on the basis of an updated feasibility study and provided that quality of education is maintained.

An updated Feasibility Study was conducted then by the 1998 Ad Hoc Committee, together with VPAA Everett Mendoza, Internal Auditor Mr. Jenny Chiu and Registrar Annabelle Pa-a. The results later presented for re-evaluation to the Board of Trustees on January 31, 2004. Finally, the Board of Trustees approved the medical school program on March 20, 2004. Dr. Agustin A. Pulido publicly announced the approval during the Silliman University Commencement Exercises the following day. The Commission on Higher Education approved the program for School Years 2005-2007 during its 243rd Commission en banc meeting on April 25, 2005.

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ABOUT THE LOGO

1. The staff and the serpent (snake) are the historical symbols of the medical profession.
2. The cover of the lamp of Aladdin providing the guiding light at the top of the symbolic staff represents the portal of Silliman University with the popular via, veritas, vita.
3. The seven turns of the snake around the staff represents the number of years from the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on October 20, 1997 to the CHED approval on April 25, 2005.
4. The Bible or the Book of Knowledge is open for all of us to read.
5. The predominant green color of the laurel or wreath is the medical school color which represents life.
6. The Silliman University Medical School (SUMS) has boundless potential so there is no form of enclosure outside the logo.

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