UPCM 1975: A class of its own

I am a proud member of UP College of Medicine Class 1975, which lived, studied, graduated, and for many, underwent specialty training in the Philippines through the early martial law years, thus born of turbulent times.

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Others went abroad, mainly to the USA, for their residency and subspecialty training (I did too, after my Pathology training in UP-PGH). Many chose to remain there. I went back home after the EDSA People Power Revolution.

UPCM Class 1975 has seven OB-GYNs, four ophthalmologists, four ENTs, six Family Medicine specialists, 13 pediatricians, six orthopedic surgeons, seven psychiatrists, six anesthesiologists, four neurologists, a tho-racovascular surgeon, five internists, two emergency medicine specialists, four surgeons, one rehabilitation specialist, three radiologists, two public health experts, three dermatologists, one nuclear medicine, one pharmacologist, one general medicine and four pathologists. Many became department chairs of their specialization. Majority had subspecialty training as well and many are multi-awarded in their chosen fields.

Of the 93 graduates, 77 are surviving. Majority elected to serve in the country, providing much needed services for our people and training for new medical graduates who chose to specialize. Those of us who stayed home practiced our professions in all regions of the Philippines. Six became deans of colleges of medicine, including our alma mater. More had become chairpersons of their departments.