September 17, 2011
Philippine Hip & Knee Society (PHKS) 1st Annual Convention
Theme: Basic Principles and Techniques in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Getting It Right the First Time”
Venue: Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas Ave. corner ADB Ave., Quezon City

Philippines  Universities are  the  world’s  most affordable, according  to  a  recently

published   global   comparative  study  on  affordability  and  accessibility  in  higher

education.

Philippines have a 90% literacy rate. If proves that Education is of primary concern

in the  country  Philippines is the largest   English – Speaking  country in the Southeast

Asian region.  English is used as a medium  of instruction in higher education .   Also,

Filipinos are considered one of the most competent English speakers in the world.  It is

known for its highest standard of education, high – caliber education institutions.  The

country is the major exporters of English teachers, nurses, doctors and Skilled workers

abroad.

Apart from competence, cost is also a major consideration in studying .  The culture is

much easy to adopt with.  People are more hospitable and the environment is more open

and less hostile.

Why Philippines?

Philippines is the place to be for foreign students

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”–Confucius

This quote from the famous Chinese philosopher must be true for every student who

wishes to study abroad and attain a winning career. Students should be careful in

choosing which country they will spend their time and money for studying because if they

made a wrong step or move, the journey to success would be difficult for them to take.

The benefits of choosing Philippines

While lots of foreign students are found anywhere in the world—like in US, UK, Germany,

France, Australia, or Japan—No one can ignore studying in the Philippines.

Philippines has one of the best education systems in Asia.

Its is one of the best place for students to study completely in English, at affordable prices

and high quality.

The education system is just so fantastic that Philippines has send hundreds of doctors

and engineers to work in USA, UK , Middle east etc along with other professionals.

Philippines follows the American education system.

For example, Kwon Ka-young, a Korean university student who went to the Philippines last

year to volunteer and study English said: “Studying in the Philippines helped me not only to

improve my English skills but also to become more of a global citizen.” Aside from

Koreans, an increasing number of Americans, Koreans, Taiwanese, Chinese, and other

foreigners also pursue their education in the country.

Why do some 5, 000 foreign students study here in the Philippines? Few countries in Asia

can match the country when it comes to providing quality education and fun at the same

time.

As the world’s 3rd largest English-speaking nation, the Philippines provides huge

knowledge resources, up-to-date instruction, and a multicultural learning atmosphere with

its 93.9% literacy rate. It is home to a number of ISO-certified universities and 275 higher

educational institutions identified as Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development.

There are also several international schools in the Philippines which are on American,

British, German, Chinese, French, and Japanese educational tracks.

The business and accounting schools in the country adhere to the US’ Generally Accepted

Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

while the engineering and marine schools are included in the APEC Engineer Registry

and International Maritime Organization (IMO) white list. Students are also guaranteed of

getting training from more than 115, 000 teachers with master’s and doctorate degrees in

the Philippines.

Foreign students do not only get the chance of earning excellent education, but they also

find ways of enjoying their stay in the Philippines. After having serious lessons in their

classrooms, they can relax by swimming, surfing, diving, and snorkeling in numerous

pristine beaches anywhere, or unwind in some of the island’s heritage sites like the man-

made rice terraces, marine parks, mountains, underground rivers, and other tourist

hideaways that depict Asian and European architecture. If these are not the places for

them, they can still enjoy hanging out in countless five-star hotels and restaurants,

entertainment shows, shopping malls, and cafes.

The Philippines is known for its people’s hospitality and joyfulness. Visitors everywhere

marvel at the way they are treated in each place they visit. They also enjoy the number of

festivals that are held for every locality which reflects the country’s rich and diverse culture

and traditions. The Korean student Ka-young added: “One of my greatest curiosities in the

Philippines is why Filipino festivals last for a week because usually, Korean festivals take

place for only two or three days. I enjoyed the fiestas mainly the Ati-atihan, where Koreans

and Filipinos all became one by dancing, singing, and even drinking together.”

Studies also show that it is more affordable to study in the Philippines compared with

other countries offering high quality education. It is because a person can live a modest

lifestyle by only spending US$350 to US$500 a month.

Programs for mobile students

To attract foreigners to pursue their education in the Philippines, the government prepared

some programs to suit the students’ needs.

One of these is the ‘Philippine ESL (English as a Second Language) Tour Program,’ in

which the study of English forms part of a structured tour package. Studying English

becomes more exciting and fun through dynamic and creative ways of learning where

participants get to interact, practice, and use English more often in real-life settings thru

games, outdoor activities, excursions, and immersions. Aside from learning the English

language, participants get to see the beautiful sceneries of the Philippine countryside and

immerse with the local culture.

The duration of English courses vary depending on the needs and objectives of the

student. Modules may range from one week to one month depending on the student’s

level of proficiency. Participants can choose among the 21 bi-authorized English language

learning centers spread all over the country.

The government also issued the Executive Order 285 which authorizes the conversion of

tourist visa category to student visa, or gives out a Special Study Permit for those who wish

to enroll in a non-degree course for less than one (1) year.

Aside from these, the Philippines also made the ‘Visa-Upon-Arrival Program’ where tour

groups and individual travelers from the East Asia, particularly from China, can now apply

for a 14-day visa upon their arrival at any Philippine international airport.

WHY PHILIPPINES

WHY STUDY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Many parents believe that Philippines is the right place for their children to study because it

offers many good reasons for quality education.

MEDIUM FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

* The world’s third largest English-speaking country

* Highest English literacy rate in Asia

* Mode of instruction in all levels of education

* Widely-used language for business, education,communication and trade

CENTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

* US System of Education

* Quality medical education as recognized by World Health Organization (WHO),

IMED of ECFMG- USA and silimar other bodies.

* Top Universities renowned worldwide

* Integrated problem-based learning approach

* Modern teaching methods with first-rate facilities

AFFORDABILITY

* Affordable overseas degrees and tuition fees

* Economical accommodation and living expenses

* Excellent and comfortable boarding facilities

* Affordable medical and dental expenses

* Inexpensive travel cost

* Student-assisted visa application

CONDUCIVE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT

* Warmth, graciousness and hospitality of the Filipinos

* Open and stimulating classroom environment

* Solidarity between students and professors

* Dedicated and friendly school staff and faculty members

* Cultural diversity in the society

* Close proximity to other Asian countries

* Improved shipping facilities and services

* Expanded business centers

* Advanced information technology

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL GROWTH

* Better opportunities to secure employment and permanent residency in other

developed countries

* Good opportunity to travel around the world

* Opportunities to make significant contributions to your society and to your country

after graduation

* Education gateway to other countries like the United States of America, the United

Kingdom, Canada, and many others

See more: studymdinphilippines.com

BALTIMORE (WJZ) –When a super-human computer faced off against two of Jeopardy’s best contestants, the nation was mesmerized. Now that unstoppable computer is ready for its next assignment – helping to save your life.

Mary Bubala reports from the University of Maryland Medical Center, where you can feel the excitement.

A supercomputer named “Watson” wowed the world by beating Jeopardy’s top two contestants.

The supercomputer developed by IBM may be able to answer tricky questions with ease, but now it’s answering a call from the medical community — starting at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

It’s all because Dr. Eliot Siegel had a chance meeting with the Watson-Jeopardy team during a visit to IBM last year.

“I suggested to them that we might try to do the same thing in medicine and they said ‘Oh, that’s a really cool idea and they said rather than calling it Watson, maybe we could call it Dr. Watson,’” said Dr. Siegel.

Watson is able to understand language with all its nuances, and sift through 200 million pages of content in three seconds. Some believe it could revolutionize health care.

“Watson is answering medical questions as quickly and with the same level of confidence that it answered a lot of those hard Jeopardy questions,” said Dr. Herbert Chase, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University.

“It may say, ‘Dr. Siegel, did you think of this particular diagnosis? I don’t see it anywhere in the chart. Would you consider this particular therapeutic option’ or it may say, ‘I have just read something in a journal or a textbook. Maybe you haven’t seen it yet,’” Siegel said.

You need to download the latest version of flash player to use this player

Need Help?

The information explosion in modern medicine threatens to overload doctors, but Watson could help cut down on medical mistakes.

“It can check for inconsistencies in the records, drug interactions or diagnoses the patient as that he’s not been treated for. So it can do a safety check,” said Siegel.

Watson is a mega mind the size of 10 refrigerators. Some question if Dr. Watson needs to be a little more human for its next job.

“How can we give Dr. Watson a bedside manner and what should he or she look like? And should it be a disembodied voice or should we try to give it a face?” said Siegel.

Watson can understand language as we speak it–the difference between bat and bat for instance.

“It helps us appreciate our brain, our cognition, how we solve problems and how incredible the human mind and the human body is,” said David Ferrucci, IBM Watson Research Center.

It analyzes the equivalent of a million books and whittles down hundreds of answers to the best one.

Doctors say two minds are always better than one in medicine.

“I think patients will benefit by having me be a much better, up-to-date and smarter physician,” said Siegel.

Watson is filled with so much information, it would take a human 250,000 years to read it.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com

The Professional Regulations Commission announces that 655 out of 1,230 passed the Board Exam for Physicians (Complete Finals and Finals with Prelims) in the Philippines administered by the Board of Medicine in the cities of Manila and Cebu this February 2011.

The top ten examinees are as follows:

1. ELEANOR DE GUZMAN DELA PENA – FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-NICANOR REYES MEDICAL FOUNDATION – 86.33

2. JOVITH TASARRA ROYALES – OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY-VALENZUELA – 86.25

3. ELTON SHERMAN SZE PO – OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY-VALENZUELA – 85.58

4. KENNETH ESTOCAPIO YABUT – OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY-VALENZUELA – 85.50

5. NOREEN MANLAPAZ DIZON – FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-NICANOR REYES MEDICAL FOUNDATION – 85.17
NILA GONZALES FRANCHE – MANILA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY-CALOOCAN CITY – 85.17

6. CENSON LEMUEL LIZARONDO CABANAS – UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS – 84.92
ARMIE ZARSADIAS SALAYSAY – DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-HEALTH SCIENCES INSTITUTE – 84.92

7. JOANNA CAMILLE GUANZON SEE CO – OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY-VALENZUELA – 84.83

8. CRISTINE AURESTILA DESCALLAR – CEBU DOCTORS UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE OF MEDICINE – 84.58

9. SHELLA MARIE ROXAS ONG – OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY-VALENZUELA – 84.50

10. DONNA LEA SULLANO PEPITO – UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST RAMON MAGSAYSAY MEM MEDICAL CTR – 84.42

PSBIM Passers 2011

Philippine College of Physicians
PHILIPPINE SPECIALTY BOARD OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
January 30, 2011
Bayanihan Hall, Unilab Building, Pasig City

LIST OF EXAMINEES WHO PASSED

Filipino doctors and nurses working in one of the hospitals in Jubail KSA are now despairing because salary have not yet been given for the past three months. This is also true for Doctors of other nationalities who have no salary for 4-5 months.

Employees of the said hospital are complaining of poor management. In one year not even one staff meeting had been called. The General Manager is rarely seen and when he is in, he locks himself inside his office while employees wait outside for a chance to talk to him.

More often than not the door opens so he can leave hurriedly from the hospital to wherever he is going that appears to be more important.

Dubai-based Prime Medical Center is providing free medical check-up and consultation to Filipinos in three of its branches every Friday during the month-long Ramadan, according to a report.

The free consultation will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at its branch located adjacent to the BurJuman Metro station along the Trade Center Road towards Creekside in Bur Dubai on August 20; on Salahuddin Road opposite Reef Mall in Deira on August 27; and at Jumeirah Plaza along Beach Road in Jumeirah on September 3, according to a report in Khaleej Times.

Dr Jamil Ahmed, Prime Healthcare Group director, said the free medical consultation is part of the company’s community outreach initiative.

Filipina medical practitioner Dr. Daffodils Guevarra will be available for consultation to visitors, who will undergo blood pressure measurement and blood sugar check.

The article noted that Guevarra, a specialist in?rehabilitation medicine, has experience in general medical cases like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, back/neck/shoulder pain and chest pain, among others. – Jerrie M. Abella/KBK, GMANews.TV

Two Texas nurses have agreed for a $750,000 settlement in connection with the lawsuit they filed against the Winkler Country hospital that fired them for accusing one of its doctors of improper medical treatment.

Winkler County Memorial Hospital fired Anne Mitchell and Vickilyn Galle for alleged misuse of official information when they anonymously reported Dr. Rolando Arafiles Jr., a Filipino, to the state medical board in 2009.

Mitchell was acquitted in February this year, while charges against Galle were dropped shortly before the trial commenced.

State and national nursing associations earlier supported the two nurses’ cause, warning that their prosecution sends a “chilling effect” on the reporting of medical malpractice.

Mitchell, 53, said in an interview by The New York Times that she was glad to put the issue behind her. “We’ll be able to move on with our lives. We never thought we’d be in this situation at this stage, when we should be settling down and looking toward retirement,” she said.

One of their nurses’ lawyers said in the article that both Mitchell and Galle, residents of Jal City in New Mexico, were unable to find new employment in the medical field after they were dismissed as nursing administrators last year.

According to the article, the nurses’ lawsuit asserted that they had been subjected to “vindictive prosecution” and denied their First Amendment rights.

The hospital and other defendants agreed to the settlement without acknowledging liability, the article further noted.

“Substandard treatment”

Arafiles was charged in late June by the Texas Medical Board with numerous violations, including “failure to maintain adequate medical records, poor medical judgment, poor decision-making, overbilling, improper coding, non-therapeutic prescribing and/or treatment and intimidation of witnesses.”

The complaint alleges substandard treatment of nine patients in 2008 and 2009.

Arafiles is accused, for instance, of suturing a rubber scissor tip to a patient’s finger; using an unapproved olive oil solution on a patient with a highly resistant bacterial infection; failing to diagnose appendicitis; and conducting a skin graft in the emergency room without surgical privileges.

He continues to work at Winkler County Memorial Hospital in Kermit while awaiting a hearing before an administrative law judge on the medical board’s charges. His license may be restricted or revoked should the charges be proven.

Arafiles’ background

Arafiles finished medicine at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in 1977, according to the medical website Vitals, which keeps a public listing of US-based doctors and their credentials and specialization.

He completed residencies at the Davao Brokenshire Memorial Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center, before migrating to the US to practice his profession.

Vitals further lists Arafiles as having 29 years of experience as an emergency physician, whose specializations family and general practice, and pain medicine.

In 2007, the state board placed a three-year restriction on his license, after reviewing charges of unprofessional conduct and inadequate supervision of subordinates at a weight-loss clinic where he worked.

Anonymous letter

In April this year, the Department of State Health Services fined the Winkler County Hospital $15,850 for inadequately supervising Arafiles, and for firing Mitchell and Galle.

The nurses, in charge of quality assurance and regulatory compliance, said they began having concerns about Arafiles soon after he was hired in 2008 by the hospital.

Feeling that their warnings went unheeded, the nurses wrote the state medical board anonymously.

Upon learning of the complaint, Arafiles persuaded the county sheriff to investigate who had filed the complaint.

The sheriff, who was reportedly a friend and patient of Arafiles’, subsequently obtained a search warrant to seize the nurses’ computers. He found the draft of the complaint letter on the hard drive of Mitchell’s computer, and Arafiles brought the case to a grand jury.

According to the New York Times article, the jury took less than an hour to rules against the prosecutors’ assertion that Mitchell had acted in bad faith. – KBK, GMANews.TV

The successful examinees who garnered the top 10 places in the Physician Licensure Examination February 2010 are

1 MARIE JO-ANN BELTRAN CABANTING, FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY NICANOR REYES MEDICAL FOUNDATION – 85.42%
2 ARLYN DIZON SALUT, OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY VALENZUELA – 85.08%
3 REGINALD RICASA CORDIAL, OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY VALENZUELA – 84.92%
4 ROD MARK MEMORACION CLAVEL, OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY VALENZUELA – 84.67%
5 BIANCA KATRINA ESCARO VILLANUEVA, UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST RAMON MAGSAYSAY MEM MEDICAL CTR – 84.25%
6 CHARLENE ROSE KHE HAW, UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS – 84.17%
7 JAN EDWARD ESPINO SAYCO, OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY VALENZUELA – 84.08%
8 MICHAEL RAMOS ARROSAS, WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY LA
PAZ – 84.00%
9 NOREEN ANTOINETTE GARCIA OPINA, ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA – 83.92%
10 SUZETTE BUNGAY SAGUN, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA – 83.83%