The unit was established in response to the need of the community for hospital-based treatment of individuals suffering from severe psychiatric disorders. It was administratively under the Department of Medicine at that time. The unit was located in the Lower Ground Floor of the hospital to ensure patient safety. It had an open spacious garden where patients had their sports and recreational activities. The unit became an independent department in 1971 under the chairmanship of Dr. Antonio P. He was the first Chairman of the newly founded Department of Psychiatry from 1971 up to 1978 and then served for another term from 1980 to 1987. A Psychiatry Residency program was started in the same year when the Department of Psychiatry was recognized as an independent department. The first full-fledged Resident graduate was Dr. Elizabeth De Guia- Godino in 1982. Those who started residency training at the Department but continued their training in other institutions were: Dr. Lourna Laraya, Dr. Efren Reyes, Dr. Angela Halili-Jao, Dr. Philip Jaojoco and Dr. Jon Ortiz. The department also had Ward Administrators until 1979, to supervise department staff and services and these were: Dr. Batcagon, Dr. Carolina Lacson and Dr. Paz Zabala. The ward was later expanded to a 60-bed capacity unit in 1980. From 1987 to 1996, Dr. Teresito Ocampo took over as the Department Chairman. The nursing staff was increased to 35 (nurses, occupational therapists, aides). The graduates of the residency program under Dr. Ocampo include: Dr. Nora Avila in 1988; Dr. Imelda Batar and Dr. Patricia Lichauco-Pagkalinawan in 1989; Dr. Dulce Lizza Sahagun in 1990; Dr. Doris Primero-Carillo in 1994 and Dr. Rene Yat in 1996. Dr. Lourdes V. Lapuz was appointed Chairman of the department on August 4, 1996. On the same year, the Unit’s bed capacity was increased to sixty-two (62). However in 2001, the ward floor area was reduced and the bed capacity was consequently reduced to 32 beds to accommodate the hospital’s newly-acquired Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit. Despite this condition, the Department continued its growth; and its clinical services became extensive. In 1998, an Out-Patient Department was established to provide the Residents with adequate training in handling outpatients and doing psychotherapy. The Section of Addiction Psychiatry was gradually developed with the introduction of its programs: Detoxification Package for substance abusers, Mentally Ill & Chemical Abusers (MICA) program in December 1999, and the Program for Detoxified Patients (PDP) in October 2000. The Section of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry started its affiliation with the Renal Unit in 1999. The department also launched a support group for the relatives of chronic psychiatric patients, called "We Care Support Group" in June 2000. The Psychiatry Residency program had full accreditations in 1995, 1998 and in 2001. Since then, innovations in the training program were initiated to pave the way for better clinical and community learning experience. Outside rotations in Child Psychiatry (UP-PGH), Out Patient (NCMH), Neurology (St Luke’s Medical Center) and Community Psychiatry (DOH - 1998; Ilugin Elementary School - 2000; Barangay Maybunga - 2001) were integrated into the training program. In the year 2000, the Department also started accepting Neurology Fellows from St. Luke’s Medical Center to have their Psychiatry rotation in the department. Dr Angela Aida Halili-Jao was the Training Officer under Dr. Lapuz’s Chairmanship. The graduates of the residency program under the leadership of Dr. Lapuz were: Dr. Robina Pascual and Dr. Theresa Lirio in 1998. Monica Cardinez-Tan and Dr. Aura Lee-Antonio in 1999; Dr. Felipe Francisco, Dr. Genuina Ranoy and Dr. Herman Sanchez in 2000. Dr. Cornelio G. Banaag, Jr. became the chairman of the department in 2001, with Dr. Ruby G. Manalastas as Training Officer. Under his leadership, the Department of Psychiatry transferred to the new hospital site of The Medical City at Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City in 2004. Additional rotations for Out Patient at East Avenue Medical Center and Forensic Psychiatry at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) were established. Dr. Luz Casimiro-Querubin became Training Officer in 2004. The Residency Program has been given full accreditations in 2004 and 2007. The Fellowship Program for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry was first offered in 2006. The graduates of the Residency program under Dr. Banaag’s term are: Dr. Eleonor E. Sanchez and Dr. Vanessa B. Cainghug in 2001; Dr. June Anne L. Daplas in 2002; Dr. Geraldine Anne C. Divino, Dr. Sylvestra Freita P. Bautista, and Dr. Sheherazade Binag-Directo in 2003; Dr. Wendell Holmes C. Valdecantos in 2004; Dr. Maria Racelle C. Monforte, Dr. Michelle Marie Magtalas-Marinas, and Dr. Candice Vera Sia in 2005; Dr. Tristan J. Hilario in 2006; Dr. Cleto Manongas in early 2007; Dr. Josephine I. Gatdula, Dr Anna Katrina N. Lising, Dr. Myra Dee G. Lopez and Dr. Vincent John M. Lu in December 2007, Dr. Jannel G. Gatlabayan in 2008, Dr. Christian Irving C. Cayetano in 2009. The Department of Psychiatry is currently located at the lower ground floor of The Medical City with a floor area of 650.87 sq. The unit has 3 separate areas: the Working area, the Patient’s area, and the Staff area. It has a 21-bed capacity in-patient ward with 1 isolation room, 1 visiting/interview area and an ECT/Treatment room. The unit also features an Occupational Therapy Room, an indoor fitness room, and an outdoor activity area for patients. There is 1 nurses’ station and work area. The Residents’ area includes a conference room, 2 computers with printers, 2 landline phones and 1 fax machine; a double-bed is segregated into another area for Residents and interns on 24-hour duty. The Chairman’s Room, an interview room and Out-Patient Rooms are located outside the Nursing Unit of the Department.
