By Raymond Oliver A. Cruz, MD

          It is now official.

          With its 100% compliance to Philhealth’s core indicators for quality, and its impressive thrust towards upholding patient’s rights, organizational ethics, patient care, safe practice and environment, leadership management, human resource management, and information management, PHA announced during its convention in Baguio City last April 19 that UPHDMC is now an accredited Center of Excellence for Level 4 Training Hospitals.  This was also confirmed by Dr. Shirley B. Domingo of Philhealth in a letter addressed to UPHDMC Medical Director Dr. Rowena Auxillos last May 25, 2010.  The awarding of Center for Excellence for a Level 4 hospital is the highest level of accreditation given by Philhealth.

          For the next three years, UPHDMC will be given full accreditation by Philhealth. 

          Credit for this unprecedented recognition goes to the hospital’s Executive Committee led by the EVP/Hospital Director, Mrs. Ma. Cristina Consing.  The doctors, led by Dr. Auxillos, came in full force to answer queries during the visitation by Philhealth accreditors.  Of course, the Office of the QMS Director led by Dr. Nelia Llanto spearheaded the effort to ensure that UPHDMC’s services are documented and proven to be of the highest quality.  Lastly, all of this could not have been possible without the support and leadership of the University of Perpetual Help System’s  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Dr./Col. Antonio L. Tamayo, Chief Executive Board Chair Dr. Daisy M. Tamayo, Corporate Treasurer Mr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo, and UPHDMC President Capt. Richard Antonio M. Tamayo.

          But most of all, this achievement became possible because of the unsung heroes: the employees who tirelessly provide hospital services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It is not easy to be part of an institution that upholds the highest standards of excellence, but each and every worker from the staff to the supervisors and managers supported each other to make what was seemingly an impossible task possible.  They truly deserve to be highly commended.  To say that they worked as a team is an understatement -  the established relationship among the staff reflect the fact that for Perpetualites, each employee is considered a member of the family.

          Congratulations to everyone from the UPHDMC Family.  You are truly DEDICATED TO LIFE!