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.
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
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.
APSCI exhibit at
the main lobby of The Medical City Main in Ortigas, Pasig City
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.
TMC Chairman of the Board 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.
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.
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
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.
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. 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.
###