Thursday, October 10, 2024

A new hub for medical simulation and research opens in UST

Henry Sy Foundation, UST-FMS, and social good partners collaborate to advance medical education in PH

The Henry Sy Foundation and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (FMS) unveiled the Henry Sy Sr. Hall on Sept. 28, 2024 at the university’s Manila campus.

The Dominican Province of the Philippines Prior and UST Vice Chancellor Very Rev. Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz, Jr., OP (fifth from left), UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ang, OP, PhD (sixth from left), SM Foundation Executive Director Ms. Debbie Sy (eighth from left), Henry Sy Foundation Executive Director Dr. Lydia Echauz (tenth from left), with Fr. Efren Rivera, OP from the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Regent Rev. Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP, UST Facilities Management Office Director Fr. Dexter Austria, OP, UST Secretary-General Fr. Louie Coronel, OP, UST Vice Rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, OP, JCD, UST FMS Dean Assoc. Prof. Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, MD, and AIMM Builders Owner Engr. James Liong, conduct the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Henry Sy Sr. Hall.

Completed in collaboration with Anargyroi: FMS Foundation Inc., FMS Alumni Associations, and other benefactors, this seven-story building is designed to serve as a center for simulation-based medical education, interactive student-centered learning, collaborative multidisciplinary research, and interprofessional education. The state-of-the-art facility will also house the Saints Cosmas and Damian Medical Simulation and Research Center.

The new hub features consultation rooms with various fidelity mannequins, allowing students to develop empathy, adaptability, and resilience, critical skills for their future roles in medicine.

The construction of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall champions the vision of SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr., who believed in empowering the youth and fostering a culture of achievement and excellence in the country.

“Throughout Mr. Sy’s life, he believed in the power of learning and the role it plays in building a brighter future. Today, this hall embodies that belief, serving as a beacon of excellence for medical education and research, not just for UST but for the entire nation,” Henry Sy Foundation executive director Dr. Lydia Echuaz said.

“By investing in infrastructure that enhances learning, we hope to empower future doctors and medical professionals to be well-prepared to face the challenges of an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of promoting academic excellence and ensuring that the Philippines remains at the forefront of global medical education,” Echauz added.

From hands-on learning to competitive medical practice

The building is laid out with debriefing rooms for real-time observation and assessment.

The building features cutting-edge technology to help medical students hone their skills and prepare for the high-stakes environment of healthcare. Through simulation, learners can replicate complex, real-life scenarios in a controlled environment, ensuring patient safety while enabling repeated practice and learning from mistakes. This hands-on training method allows students to develop empathy, adaptability, and resilience, critical skills for their future roles in medicine.