The 8th of October 2022 marked the celebration of the much-awaited Inauguration and Blessing for Pines City Colleges, School of Medicine (PCC-SOM). As always, PCC continues to realize its full potential in providing quality education for its students.
On behalf of the Academic Affairs Council and Pines City Colleges family, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Marian Grace A. Gascon, commended the SOM’s faculty, staff, and students. She thanked the guests who graced the occasion: CHED-CAR representative, Ms. Melody Labawig; Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center’s Chairman of the Professional Education Training Research Office, Dr. Concesca B. Padilla; Baguio Health Department, Dr. Donnabel T. Panes. Members of the PCC board were present: Corporate Secretary, Evelyn S. Bartolome; Finance Officer, Juanita E. Gaetos; and Board Representative and Pines City Doctors’ Hospital Medical Director, Dr. George J. Pangwi.
With the determination and commitment of the administrative and faculty staff in crafting the best curriculum for its students, the institution finally received its permit to operate on March 2020. Looking back on what the college has gone through with the severe effects of the pandemic. PCC-SOM has chosen to stay committed to making its vision come true: An institution that provides skilled physicians, compassionate, and community-oriented researchers, imbued with nationalism and global competitiveness. Ms. Labawig stated that PCC-SOM will hone competent doctors who will help improve the health system and the lives of the Filipino people. She added that CHED will continually support the institution for having the same goal as the agency in catering quality education.
Witnessing the progress of the institution, Dr. Pangwi encouraged, “Congratulations… Processes for medical clerkship and internships are being analyzed and formulated. Again, it takes a long process and it takes a lot of endurance to achieve it. For sure you will face a lot of obstacles, but I know you can do it.”
Dr. Maria Ana P. Custodio, the School of Medicine Dean, firmly remarked, “Against all odds, we are operating now. We have our School of Medicine and are already in the third year of the program.”
With so much anticipation, the administrative and faculty staff welcomes future opportunities for the PCC-SOM. The cutting of the ribbon was headed by Dr. George J. Pangwi and Ms. Melody Labawig.
