Philippine College of Surgeons
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History And Milestones Of Philippine College Of Surgeons

The Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) was organized by a small group of thirty-five distinguished pioneering surgeons led by Dr. Gregorio T. Singian on September 12, 1936. Upon the approval of its by-laws on October 10, 1936, the organization embarked on its avowed mission of elevating the standards of surgical practice in the country. It aimed at the attainment of greatness through unselfish men dedicated to service, especially the healing of patients, and in the further unceasing search for the elusive surgical secrets that benefit humankind, and the continuous professional update of its members.

The Charter Fellows of the PCS include: Drs. Honoria Acosta-Sison, Rufino Abriol, Valentin Afable, Conrado Ayuyao, Alfredo Baens, Miguel Canizares, Gervasio Cuyugan, Aurelio Dayrit, Facundo Esquivel, Januario Estrada, Sr., Gumersindo Garcia, Rudolfo Gonzales, Fortunato Guerrero, Nicanor Jacinto, Ricardo Jara, Alfredo Jocson, Enrique Lopez, Rafael Ma. Moreta, Paul Palencia, Carmelo Reyes, Baldomero Roxas, Guillermo Rustia, Luis Santos, Victor Sevilla, Gregorio Singian, Castor Surla, Manuel Tuazon, Basilio Valdez, Antonio Vasquez, Gerardo Vasquez, Herminio Velarde, Sr., Augusto Villarama, and Francisco Villaroman. The recorgnized Founder and First President was Dr. Gregorio Singian.

The Board of Regents met regularly until August 29, 1941 when World War II temporarily interrupted its activities. After the war, with normal conditions being slowly re-established, the first regular scientific meeting was held on March 30, 1946 at the Guanzon Memorial Hall of the Philippine General Hospital. In July of that year, the first medical specialty journal called the Philippine Journal of Surgery was published. The journal was adopted by other surgical specialties until it was finally named the Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties (PJSS), a name still being used up to the present time. There was no looking back for the PCS from then on.

The Milestones include:

1947
December
First Philippine Surgical Congress under the auspices of the PCS at the Philippine General Hospital and University of Sto. Tomas Hospital.

1949
December
Election of Dr. Baldomero Roxas as the first Filipino Honorary Fellow of the PCS.

1950
December
Election of Dr. Howard Naffziger, FACS, as the first foreign Honorary Fellow of the PCS.

1955
March
Philippine Journal of Surgery was renamed Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, having been adopted as the official journal of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.

1958
January
The Journal was adopted as the official publication of the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology and Bronchoesophagology.

1959
January
The Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology was renamed Philippine Journal of Surgery and Surgical Specialties.
December 5 PCS awards diplomas to first accredited hospitals, Manila Hotel.

1960
November 30
PCS admitted into International Federation of Surgical Colleges.

1961
December 13

First Gregorio T. Singian Lecture delivered by Dr. Carmelo Reyes.

First local PCS chapter is organized.

1973
December 1

First PCS-Mead Johnson Surgical Research Award.

1975
May 30-31

First PCS Midyear Convention held in Bacolod City.

1976
November 8

Joint PCS Surgical Specialties Training Accreditation Council is organized.

1977
June 9-11

First Constitutional Convention held in Baguio City.

October

First PCS-United Laboratories Residents’ Night Scientific Research Paper Contest.

1978
June

First Residency Scholarship Grants awarded.

December

First Surgical Technology Contest held.

1979
January

Creation of the Surgical Training Committee.

April

Launching of PCS Foundation, Inc. at Manila Polo Club.

1980
January

Creation of the Committee on Trauma, Committee on Cancer and Committee on Mutual Aid Plan (Fellows Assistance Plan).

June 12

Cornerstone laying for PCS Building, EDSA, QC.

December

First Memorial Oration in honor of Dr. Jose Y. Fores was delivered by Dr. Enrique M. Garcia, FPCS.

1981
February 25

First issue of PCS Newsletter in newspaper format.

February 27

Start of Wet Clinics later to be under the Committee on Surgery in Unvisited Regions for Education (SURE), conducted in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

April 21

PCS received NSDB Certificate No. 81 F-07 as a Foundation.

May 1

PCS in TV feature on "How to Detect Cancer".

May 11

PCS poster on "Who Should Do Your Operation?" circulated to all Fellows.

May 26

Trauma Seminar for Metrocom, Metropolitan Police Officers.

August 15

Construction of PCS Building began.

December 7-10 37th Annual Convention;
Surgical Congress by Specialty Societies;
Awarding of Living Founders, Senior Fellows and Past Presidents.
1982
July 9

Joint PCS-Philippine Society of Pathologists Symposium on Standard Nomenclature of Breast Tumors.

August 1

First Floor of PCS building completed.

December 6-9

38th Annual Convention;
First Surgical Animal Research Contest;
Surgical Technology Contest revived.

December 6

Presentation of Guidelines on Surgeons’ Fees (Relative Values).

December 7

PCS elections providing for at least one Regent each to represent the chapters in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

1983
January 3

Creation of the Committee on Surgical Research;
Cyanamid Philippines and Davis & Geck provides grant for the PCS Board Room.

May 9

Approval of a new Editorial Board of the PJSS.

June 15-July 13

First Postgraduate Course for Surgical Residents, Bayanihan Hall, United Laboratories.

December

First Breakfast Conference in Annual Convention
Dr. Lloyd M. Nyhus is conferred PCS Honorary Fellowship.
Professor Tan Sri G.B. Ong delivers 4th Memorial Oration.
PCS Library receives two sets of book-bounded issues of PJSS (1946-1983).

1984
May 18-19

Midyear Convention and Ratification of Amended PCS By-Laws and Election Code.

July 6-8

2nd Postgraduate Course for Surgical Residents, Audio-visual Room, Chong Hua Hospital, Cebu City.

August 11

Completion of 2nd and 3rd floors of PCS Building.

December 1-2

40th Annual Convention.
Proxy voting not allowed in elections.

1985
February 4

Approval of amended Administrative Manual.

May 11

Approval of Revised Accreditation Requirements of Residency Programs in General Surgery.

September 30

Approval of re-arrangement of PCS Hymn.

December 4

PCS building blessed by Monsignor Nico Bautista.

December 5

41st Annual Convention; PCS Hymn first sung at Opening Ceremonies.

1986
February

Rules governing affiliate societies approved for inclusion in Administrative Manual.

May 8-10

12 th Midyear Convention, Philippine Plaza Hotel;
Dr.Jose Ma. Lucas, FPCS wins prize for slogan "Torch of Science, Light of Life".

June

PCS supports "Alay sa Kawal Project of Pres. Corazon C. Aquino.

Jun 4-6

4th Postgraduate Course for Surgical Residents, Bayanihan Hall, United Laboratories.

November 30

42nd Annual Convention and 5th Surgical Congress, Grand Ballroom, Philippine Plaza Hotel with Pres. Corazon C. Aquino as Guest of Honor.

1987
March 2

Granting of amnesty to Fellows who have been delinquent in the payment of annual dues.

March 18-21

5th Postgraduate Course for Surgical Residents, New Bayanihan Hall, United Laboratories.

April 1

Philippine Surgeons Charity Foundation (PSC) thru its President, Dr. Sariel Ablaza, donates initial funds to PCS Scholarship Program.

April 4

Creation of Ad-Hoc Committee to "Study Surgical Manpower Needs in the Philippines".

April 25

First Trauma Poster Contest with theme: "Ikaw at ang Sakuna".

May 14

PCS-PSC Memorandum of Agreement is approved.

May 15-16

Midyear Convention, Hyatt Terraces Hotel, Baguio City.

December 7-9

43rd Annual Convention, Grand Ballroom, Philippine Plaza Hotel.

1988
February 1

Creation of an organization of all PCS Scholars.

April 16

Proposal for hosting of Midyear Convention by PCS Chapters was entertained.

May 6-7

14th Midyear Convention, Cebu Plaza Hotel, Cebu City.

July 4

Approval for the use of a point value system for the existing requirements for a 4 year accredited training program in General Surgery to be used by the Committee on Accreditation.

September 27

Signing of MOA between PCS and Chief of Staff, AFP, Gen. Renato de Villa, granting Free Surgical Services for AFP and INP personnel injured in the line of duty.

October 3

Approving the publication in the PCS Newsletter of the names of all applicants for PCS Fellowship.

December 3

PCS-Philippine Board of Surgery Workshop on Residency Training, Manila Midtown Hotel.

December 5-7

44th Annual Convention, Philippine Plaza Hotel.

1989
January 9

Creation of Liaison Committee with Department of Health (DOH).

May 5-6

15th Midyear Convention, Davao Inter-Continental Inn, Davao City.

June 2

Creation of Ad-Hoc Committee on Legislative Liaison.

June 23

First PCS Oncology Rounds at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

June 30-July 2

7th Postgraduate Course for Surgical Residents, Bayanihan Hall, United Laboratories.

November 29

45th Annual Convention, Philippine Plaza Hotel.

December 18

Joint Board Meeting, PCS and Society of Philippine Surgeons in America (SPSA), Manila Hotel.

1990
February 2

Revival of PCS-SURE project.

March 27

Formation of the Joint Council for Head and Neck Surgery.

May 3

Approval of Rules and Guidelines for foreign physicians practicing medicine in the Philippines under "Medical Mission" programs.

May 4-5

16th Midyear Convention, Hyatt Terraces Hotel, Baguio City.

June

PCS grants request of DOH to give Specialty Board Certifying Examinations for DOH physicians who passed the DOH Medical Specialist Qualifying Examination in Surgery as well a graduates of DOH-accredited Residency Training Programs in Surgery.

June 20-26

8th Postgraduate Course in Surgery, Bayanihan Hall, United Laboratories. DOH physicians in attendance.

December 10-12

46th Annual Convention, Philippine Plaza Hotel;
First Surgical Poster Session Contest;
First report on the PCS Trauma Registry;
Conferment of PCS Honorary Fellowships on Sir Roy Y. Calne and Dr. David C. Sabiston, Jr.

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