Text by Martin R. Racza
When Dr. Charlie E. Labarda, the new Dean of the School of Health Sciences (SHS) of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) was asked what his motivation was in seeking the deanship, he chose to answer from his heart, echoing a sense of gratitude for how UP helped nourish his past in preparation for his future.
“To serve as Dean of the School of Health Sciences is my way of giving back to the University for all its contribution in molding who I am today. As a child of a single mother who worked as a clerical staff in UP, the lively halls and sweet smell of books in the library inspired me to dream despite the harsh reality of poverty. UP showed me that education is the great equalizer.”
Far-Ranging Vision
Slated to serve his first term from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2027, Dr. Labarda has a grand vision and high hopes for the future of the School.
“The UP Manila-School of Health Sciences best epitomizes UP being both a symbol and a source of hope for a more equal society, as an educational institution mandated to help serve marginalized communities. I believe we can do more to address the critical challenge of health equity in the Philippines. We will ensure that the socially relevant medical education model of SHS that focuses on producing health workers for underserved communities will be ‘mainstreamed’ and given full support.”
Dean Labarda’s initial plans include reviewing and improving the governance of the multi-campus SHS. “The multi-campus setup of SHS and LGU involvement in its operations, create unique challenges to its governance structures and processes. It will be one of the priority actions of my deanship. The ongoing curriculum review process, especially the institution of the new BS Midwifery program and the revisions of the BSN and MD programs, will be prioritized as well. The curriculum review gains added urgency given the proposed affirmative action initiative to increase access to UP education by the UP System and UPM.”
The Dean has also mapped out a far-reaching vision for the School. “Long-term, we will focus on improving the operational efficiency of SHS and achieving its strategic goals of addressing health inequity through the outcome of fulfilling its mandate to deliver socially accountable medical education,” he said. To elaborate, he listed five (5) goals to achieve this vision:
Valuing and Empowering the Studentry
Dean Labarda has not forgotten the crux point of the veins and sinews connecting the School with the communities: the SHS students. Expressing his pride with the School’s community, the Dean said, “We are proud to point out that we have nearly 90% retention rate of our SHS graduates in the country. Our community-based recruitment process and the community service leave integrated in our stepladder program, exposes our students to the health needs of their own communities.”
“I believe this deep and continuing engagement with their sending communities, starting from their entry as midwifery students up to their final year community internship as medical students, will help motivate them to fulfill their oath to serve the Filipino nation.”
The New Man-in-Charge
Dean “Charls,” as he is known to many, was selected to become the new captain of the SHS ship during the 1391st UP Board of Regents meeting held on July 2, 2024. He is currently a full Professor in the Medicine Department of the SHS. He has also taken part in multiple teams conducting research throughout his career as a doctor and educator.
Dr. Labarda is also affiliated with several medical, social, and religious organizations, either as an officer or as a member. These include the National Independent Monitoring Committee (NIMC), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, DSWD National Program Management Office (as Vice Chair), National Council Representative, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Philippine Medical Academy (PMA), Community Medicine Practitioners and Advocates Association, Inc. (COMPASS), Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Philippine Association of Academic Biochemists (PAAB), Philippine Society of Anatomists Inc. (PSAI), International Society for Traumatic Studies (ISTSS), Hong Kong Society of Behavioral Health, Beta Gamma Sigma, International Honor Society serving business programs, accredited by AACSB, and the Pi Gamma Mu, International Social Science Honor Society (recognizing excellence in the social sciences). He is also the Host and Producer of Health Talks, a weekly public health radio program airing every Saturday at 7:00 to 8:00 AM on 97.5 DYFE FM Tacloban “Unang Tugon ng Pamayanan.” #
