Two graduates of the UP Manila College of Medicine were among those conferred different awards by the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) at its first ever virtual Awarding Ceremony last July 10, 2020 during the culminating activity of the 42nd NAST Annual Scientific Meeting.
Dr. Charlotte Chiong, UPCM Class 1985 and current UPCM dean, was one of five new Academicians conferred in the field of medical sciences during the ceremony. The membership to the Academy is given to resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to science and technology in the Philippines.
Dr. Chiong is internationally recognized in otolaryngology, a pioneer in cochlear implantation surgery, lead researcher and advocate for the enactment of Republic Act. 9709 that established a National Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program in the Philippines. She is Principal Investigator for researches on the genetics of hearing loss as well as biomedical device and teleaudiology applications for improving hearing health care delivery in the country.
She pursued her Residency in Otolaryngology at UP-PGH (1987-1990), Research Fellowship in Otology, Harvard Medical School-Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Clinical Fellowship in Neurotology-Skull Base Surgery University of Toronto –Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, and PhD in Medical Sciences from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands ( 2011-2013). She is Research Professor and Director of the Philippine National Ear Institute and Director of the Newborn Hearing Reference Center at the UP Manila National Institutes of Health.
Another UPCM alumnus, Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo (UPCM 1957), was conferred the Corresponding Member award in the field of Orthopedics with three others in different fields. The Corresponding Member award is conferred on non-resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science and technology and must have continuing connections and contributions to Philippine science.
Dr. Gustilo’s international reputation as a leader in the field of orthopaedic surgery was first gained due to his painstaking work classifying open fractures, and recommending treatment based on classification. His classification system was instrumental in improving the care and outcome of severe fractures throughout the world, and he continues to update his recommendations. His leadership in the care of patients with orthopaedic injuries resulted in his establishment of the Orthopaedic Trauma Hospital Association and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. He was founding President of both these organizations.
Along with his work on open fractures, Dr. Gustilo established a rare expertise in musculoskeletal infections, and established a Musculoskeletal Sepsis research unit that remains pre-eminent in the world for basic research and for recommending optimal clinical treatments.
(With reports from the NAST website)
