Dermatology at Philippine General Hospital

Following the vision-mission goals of the UP College of Medicine and the Department of Medicine, the Department of Dermatology was established in 1922 and became the first residency training program in dermatology in the country in 1969. The three-year residency program aims to train well-rounded leaders in the field of dermatology in terms of clinical care, research, medical education, and community service. Through the years, the Section has produced competent graduates who have consistently topped the PDS board exams, published and presented award-winning innovative and socially relevant researches, and excelled in their own chosen fields. The Department also takes pride of the “Atlas of Philippine Dermatology”—a product of ten years of inspired labor of the Department’s consultants and residents, headed by Dr. Clarita Maaño and Dr. Ma. It is now the official textbook of dermatology by medical colleges as approved by the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC), carried by major bookstores in the country, and garnered the National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Book Award in 2014. To further strengthen the zeal of service and compassion, the Section, in partnership with the Medical Social Services Division of PGH, has three support groups for patients—Psoriasis Club, Hansen’s Club and Atopic Club. Regular meetings of each club include lectures on the clinical nature and management of their diseases, discussions on nutrition, stress management and building self-esteem, as well as livelihood training seminars. The Department has been very active in the PDS with six of its consultants having served as PDS presidents, namely, Dr. Perpetuo D. Gutierrez (1952-1958), Dr. Guillermo Gutierrez (1971-1975), Dr. Clarita Maaño (1997-1998), Dr. Francisca Roa (2003-2004), Dr. Ma. Lorna Frez (2005- 2006) and Dr. Georgina Pastorfide (2009-2010). Dr. Eileen Cubillan was chair of the PDS Board of Examiners (2009-2010) and Dr. Evelyn Gonzaga was a member of the board of directors (2009-2010). Tianco (PDS President 1999-2002) was a graduate of the PGH dermatology residency training program. Retired consultants, Dr. Amelia Medina and Dr. Manuel Fernandez, Jr. became vice-presidents of PDS, and Dr. Nenita Alberto also headed various PDS committees. For 95 years, the Department of Dermatology has progressed to what it is today, though limited by space and budget, it is rich in academic resources, headed by its competent Section Chiefs namely: Dr. Perpetuo D. Gutierrez, Dr. Manuel Fernandez Sr., Dr. Guillermo T. Gutierrez (1975–1985), Dr. Amelia L. Medina (1986 -1998), Dr. Clarita C. Maaño (1999 – March 2010), Dr. Francisca DC. Roa (April 2010 – 2012), Dr. Georgina C. Pastorfide (2012-2015), Dr. Ma. Lorna F. Frez (2016 – 2018), and Dr. Eileen Liesl A. Cubillan (2019 - present). The Department is continuously evolving and expanding; finding newer ways of improving itself through newer physical structures, equipment; continuing professional education; reaching nationally and globally, at par or better with its counterparts in the region. Nearing almost 100 years since it was established, the Department will continue to strive to be one of the country’s premiere training institutions in the field of Dermatology, as it is known today.