VSU seals partnership with VisayasMed for College of Medicine base hospital

VSU and VisayasMed Hospital Cebu have solidified a significant partnership through signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 3, 2025, which designates VisayasMed as the base hospital for VSU’s forthcoming College of Medicine.

A base hospital is essential for any medical program to provide students with hands-on clinical exposure to complement their academic learning. 

The collaboration between VSU and VisayasMed will allow  medical students to undergo comprehensive training in a well-equipped medical facility under the guidance of experienced healthcare professionals. 

This structured clinical education is a core requirement set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the establishment of a medical school. 

VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes emphasized the importance of this partnership and recognized the role of  VisayasMed in shaping future medical practioners. 

She noted that the hospital’s accredited residency programs, diverse clinical cases, and seasoned medical teams will provide students with the necessary foundation to excel in their medical careers.

This partnership not only meets an academic necessity but also aligns with a common goal of strengthening healthcare services in the Eastern Visayas region and beyond. 

The MOA Signing was attended by key representatives from VisayasMEd, including Chief Operating Officer Mr. Renato Dumaraos, Medical Director Dr. Ron Del Mar, Continuing Medical Education (CME) Director Dr. Catherine Camiguing, Human Resource (HR) Manager Ms. Ethel Ghee Maylon, HR Officer Ms. Shelou Dhia Marie Oletris, and VSU College of Medicine’s consultant Dr. Roxanne Bongon.

On January 2, 2025, Dr. Bongon officially joined VSU as a consultant for the establishment of VSU College of Medicine and will take the lead in preparing the necessary documents and processes to ensure its full operationalization.

VSU’s journey towards establishing its College of Medicine has been steadily progressing. 

The Republic Act (RA) 11974, a priority bill authored by Leyte Fifth District Representative Carl Nicolas C. Cari was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, officially approving the creation of the VSU College of Medicine. The law took effect on January 4, 2024.  

This agreement with VisayasMed Hospital represents a significant advancement in VSU’s preparations to open the College of Medicine, subject to the compliance of the requirements set by CHED.

With this partnership in place, VSU medical students will gain clinical experience in a reputable institution to develop the necessary competence. 

VisayasMed Hospital Cebu, formerly known as Visayas Community Medical Center, is a well-established tertiary hospital with nearly 70 years of expertise in patient care. 

It prioritizes a holistic and patient-centered approach and offers advanced medical services in a well-equipped facility staffed by highly trained professionals. 

Through this agreement, the hospital is expanding its role beyond healthcare provision by becoming a virtual training ground for future physicians from VSU. 

Both VSU and VisayasMed share the same vision of enhancing healthcare education and services, not only for Eastern Visayas but for communities beyond. 

This partnership is a step toward addressing the growing need for competent medical professionals in the country to prepare future doctors to serve wll skills, integrity, and compassion. 

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being; SDG 4: Quality Education, and; SDG 17: Partnership for Goals.

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