University of the Philippines honors alumni and faculty achievements

The University of the Philippines (UP) recently held events to recognize the contributions of its alumni and faculty members across various sectors. A testimonial dinner was hosted by the university and Cardinal Santos Medical Center to honor UP health experts appointed to leadership roles within the Philippine Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Key honorees included Department of Health Secretary Edwin Mercado, PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Beverly Lorraine Ho, and FDA Director General Margarita M. Gutierrez. UP Regent Raul Pagdanganan noted that the alignment of these agencies represents a pivotal moment for the Philippine health care system, aiming to reduce fragmentation through a unified approach.

Additionally, the university highlighted the legacy of the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA), which has grown from a small group in 1960 to a network of over 2,000 members in North America. The university also recognized the impact of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) in providing accessible distance learning to Filipinos globally, and paid tribute to the academic contributions of late faculty members such as Prof. Priscelina Patajo Legasto.