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| Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, APSCI Deputy Director; Dr. Daniel MAlonzo, APSCI Director; TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R. A. Bengzon; Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento; Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, APSCI Deputy Director, and Senior Vice President for the Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos. |
Premier
health institution The Medical City (TMC) yesterday launched its Augusto P.
Sarmiento Cancer Institute (APSCI), named after its Chairman of the Board and
one of the country’s top surgical oncologists.
One of the
highlights of the launch was the unveiling of the APSCI signage and historical
marker at the 8th Floor Nursing Tower, TMC in Ortigas, Pasig City. A
short program followed at the main lobby where a grand exhibit is mounted featuring
the institute’s brand of cancer care.
The event
was graced by TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R. A. Bengzon, Senior Vice
President for the Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, Chief Sales
and Marketing Officer Jose Xavier B. Gonzales, APSCI Director Dr. Daniel M.
Alonzo and Deputy Directors Drs. Beatrice Tiangco and Manuel Francisco Roxas,
TMC doctors, managers, and staff, patient partners, and the honoree, Dr.
Augusto P. Sarmiento.
About Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento
Dr.
Sarmiento graduated from the University of the Philippines in April 1948. From
September to March 1949, he worked as a Junior Parasitologist under the
Schistomiasis Control Program of the Department of Health.
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| TMC Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento |
He then
became a first year resident at the UP-Philippine General Hospital, Department
of Obstetrics. Dr. Sarmiento used his Obstetrics residency training as his
gateway to get into the Department of Surgery where he started his surgical
residency in early 1950s.
Upon
completion of his surgical residency training in 1954, like many other
graduates of various medical specialties, he flew to the USA to pursue more
advanced surgical training.
In 1955, an
opportunity came to Dr. Sarmiento to be trained as one of the first Filipino
surgical residents at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Valhalla
of Cancer Surgery in New York City. He stayed for four years, completing his
training under the American surgeon widely regarded as the Father of Head and Neck
Surgery, Dr. Hayes Martin. He worked for a time as an associate of Dr. Martin,
but decided to return to Manila in 1958.
In Manila, he
taught and practiced general and cancer surgery at the PGH and at two other
hospitals. In 1967, he moved his practice along with several overseas trained
UP doctors to join Dr. Agerico B. M. Sison in a small hospital in Mandaluyong
City. It was named the ABM Sison Hospital, in honor of their mentor. The ABM
Sison was later renamed The Medical City and the rest is history. TMC
celebrated its 50th year anniversary last year.
“I am
pleased and humbled to have the Cancer Institute of The Medical City named
after me and I am accepting this honor for and on behalf of the people who have
gone ahead of us, who had given great ideas and a lot of their time to help us get
to where we are now. What we are doing now is just add-ons to the great work
they had already started,” said Dr. Sarmiento.
The Medical City’s Augusto P.
Sarmiento Cancer Institute
“At the APSCI,
we believe in healthcare that nurtures a partnership – one that gives strength,
advanced services, and most especially, hope,” says Dr. Alonzo.
The APSCI,
according to Dr. Alonzo, is gifted with the inspiration of Dr. Sarmiento and
the organizational strength of the TMC institution.
“Thank you
for the inspiration Dr. Sarmiento and for being a role model for all of us as
we, at APSCI, continue to save lives and improve the quality of life of our
patients,” said Dr. Alonzo.
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| APSCI Director Dr. Daniel M. Alonzo, APSCI Deputy Director Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, SVP for the Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R. A. Bengzon, Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Jose Xavier B. Gonzales, and APSCI Deputy Director Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas. |
Cancer care
at APSCI can be described by 8Cs − compassionate, cost-effective, coordinated,
collaborative, comprehensive, customized, centered around the patient, and
committed.
The
APSCI leadership, composed of Dr. Alonzo and deputy directors Drs. Tiangco and
Roxas, has started doctor-initiated researches.
They are beefing up their cancer registry, based on patients’ records to find better ways of
treatment.
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| APSCI exhibit at the main lobby of The Medical City Main in Ortigas, Pasig City |
Dr. Alonzo is also
looking at training programs for the next generation of cancer specialists.
He admitted
there’s still a lot of work to be done at the APSCI but all these quality
improvements and innovations are aimed at giving cancer patients the brand of
TMC care that they deserve.
“With our
personalized programs and treatments, we will engage and support our patients
throughout their cancer journey - from nutrition therapy, to pain management,
and to palliative care.
For more information
about APSCI, you may call 9881000 ext. 6214. ###
