Family and Community Medicine is a medical specialty that provides continuing and comprehensive health care, health maintenance, and preventive services to individuals, families, and communities. It integrates biologic, clinical, and behavioral sciences, encompassing all ages, all genders, every organ system, and the full spectrum of disease. At its core, it views each patient within the context of the family and the community, recognizing how broader population health concerns shape individual and family well-being.
Established in December 1975 as both an academic department of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and a clinical department of the Philippine General Hospital, the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) stands as a pioneering force in primary care in the Philippines. It introduced the country’s first residency training program in the specialty—one that has since evolved into a premier training ground for physicians who lead, innovate, and serve across diverse health systems.
Guided by its vision of forming a community of lifelong learners and achievers—innovative, progressive, and highly competent, grounded in moral, ethical, and spiritual values—the Department remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, accessible, and holistic care to families and communities. Its academic programs continue to expand, including the Master of Science in Clinical Medicine (Family and Community Medicine), the Fellowship in Supportive, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine, and the Fellowship in Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine—each designed to respond to the evolving health needs of the Filipino people.
A defining milestone in its journey is its recognition as a Center of Excellence by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP)—a distinction that affirms the Department’s leadership in training, service, and community-oriented care. Beyond the hospital and classroom, DFCM remains deeply engaged in building responsive health systems, strengthening partnerships, and advancing public service anchored in the principles of Primary Health Care.
Vision
A community of lifelong learner and achievers in the field of Family and Community Medicine …innovative, progressive, highly competent, with moral ethical and spiritual vigor, inspired by love, compassion and respect for human life, family and country, Committed to the development and delivery of comprehensive, continuous, coordinated accessible and holistic care to families and communities.
Mission
We commit ourselves to excellence and leadership in relevant family and community oriented medical education, research and service
The story of the Department began with a growing realization: that healthcare—becoming increasingly specialized and fragmented—required a new kind of physician, one capable of delivering comprehensive, person-centered care across the continuum of health. In 1972, the Philippine General Hospital established a two-year General Practice residency program, later expanded into a three-year training program to better prepare physicians for family- and community-oriented practice. By 1974, the program was accredited by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, and in 1975, the Department of Family and Community Medicine was formally established—marking a defining milestone in the evolution of primary care in the Philippines.
In the decades that followed, DFCM distinguished itself through innovation in training and practice. It integrated behavioral sciences and psychosocial care into clinical education, introduced evidence-based medicine and structured mentoring systems, and advanced the Patient-centered, Family-focused, and Community-oriented approach—embedding systems thinking into everyday care.
In the decades that followed, DFCM distinguished itself through innovation in training and practice. It integrated behavioral sciences and psychosocial care into clinical education, introduced evidence-based medicine and structured mentoring systems, and advanced the Patient-centered, Family-focused, and Community-oriented approach—embedding systems thinking into everyday care.
Through continuous growth and transformation, the Department has shaped generations of physicians who serve as clinicians, educators, researchers, advocates, and leaders—impacting health at the level of individuals, families, and communities.
Now in its 50th year, DFCM continues its journey—building on a legacy of innovation and service while shaping the future of Family and Community Medicine in the Philippines.
Programs and Courses Offered
The Department of Family and Community Medicine offers a comprehensive suite of training programs designed to develop highly competent, systems-oriented, and socially responsive physicians. Anchored in the principles of Primary Health Care and Universal Health Care, these programs equip trainees with the clinical expertise, leadership capabilities, and research competencies necessary to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse settings.
Undergraduate Medical Education
The Department of Family and Community Medicine plays a vital role in undergraduate medical education within the UP College of Medicine, delivering a longitudinal and integrated curriculum from foundational learning to clinical immersion. Through courses such as FCH 101 (Health Care Delivery) and Health Systems (HS 201–202), students are introduced to Primary Health Care, health systems, and the biopsychosocial approach to patient care, with competencies further developed through integrated clerkships (FCH 250 series) and clinical electives that provide hands-on experience in outpatient care, community health, and family-oriented practice. Advanced training in community health management, family wellness, health policy, and intersectoral partnerships deepens their understanding of health beyond the clinical setting, culminating in immersive training through internships in Family and Community Medicine (FCH 260 series) and the Straight Internship Program, where students integrate patient-centered, family-focused, and community-oriented care in real-world environments; across all levels, the Department upholds a Patient-centered, Family-focused, and Community-oriented (PFC) approach, ensuring that future physicians are equipped with the competencies, values, and systems thinking needed to deliver comprehensive, continuous, and responsive care to Filipino families and communities. This integrated training model reflects the Department’s commitment to developing physicians who are not only clinically competent, but also socially accountable and responsive to the evolving needs of the health system. By bridging clinical medicine with public health and community engagement, the curriculum cultivates a generation of doctors capable of navigating complexity and leading change in diverse practice settings. Ultimately, it shapes future family physicians who view health not merely as the absence of disease, but as a dynamic state influenced by the individual, the family, and the community.
Residency Training in Family and Community Medicine
The three-year residency program is structured to progressively build competencies in comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care. Trainees develop proficiency in primary care delivery, emergency case management, and community-based practice, guided by a patient-centered, family-focused, and community-oriented framework. Advanced training includes inpatient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to subspecialty services such as Supportive, Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Toxicology. By the final year, residents are equipped with leadership, health systems management, and decision-making competencies, preparing them to function effectively within complex healthcare environments. The program integrates clinical rotations, evidence-based medicine, research, and performance-based assessments, including Objective Structured Clinical Evaluations (OSCE), ensuring readiness for both clinical practice and academic advancement.
Fellowship Training in Supportive, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine (SHPM)
This one-year subspecialty program develops advanced competencies in the management of patients with life-limiting conditions. Fellows acquire expertise in pain and symptom control, psychosocial support, and interdisciplinary care, while optimizing quality of life for patients and their families. The program prepares graduates to lead hospice and palliative care services across hospital, community, and home-based settings, and to contribute as educators, researchers, and policy advocates in the expansion of palliative care systems.
Fellowship Training in Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine (PLM)
This two-year fellowship provides specialized training in evidence-based lifestyle interventions and behavior modification strategies. Fellows develop competencies in disease prevention, risk reduction, and long-term health promotion, with emphasis on culturally responsive, family-oriented care. The program also strengthens skills in interprofessional collaboration and health systems development, enabling graduates to integrate preventive and lifestyle medicine into clinical practice and contribute to the advancement of primary care aligned with Universal Health Care.
Master of Science in Clinical Medicine – Family and Community Medicine (MSc CMFCM)
Established to address the growing demand for advanced academic and leadership training, this graduate program develops competencies in teaching, research, program development, and health systems management. Graduates are equipped to design and implement educational and clinical programs, generate and apply research to improve practice, and integrate the biopsychosocial model into patient care. The program prepares physicians to assume roles as academic leaders, clinical specialists, administrators, and innovators in Family and Community Medicine both locally and internationally.
Department Organizational Chart and Faculty List
- Chair: Dr. Karin E. Garcia
- Vice Chair for Postgraduate Training: Dr. Leilanie A. Nicodemus
- Residency Training Officer: Dr. Jonathan D. Babsa-ay
- Fellowship Training Officer (SHPM): Dr. Maricar R. Sabeniano
- Fellowship Training Officer (PLM): Dr. Kashmir Mae E. Astillero
- Masteral Program Coordinator: Dr. Anna Guia O. Limpoco
- Vice Chair for Research: Dr. Shiela Marie S. Laviña
- Vice Chair for Basic Medical Education: Dr. Anthony Geronimo H. Cordero
- Vice Chair for Human Resource Development: Dr. Andrew E. Ang
- Finance Officer: Dr. Eva Irene Y. Maglonzo
Service Unit Heads
- Coordinator, Ambulatory Care Unit: Dr. Sitti Khadija U. Salabi
- Coordinator, Family Practice Center: Dr. Kashmir Mae Engada-Astillero
- Head, Section of Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine: Dr. Leilanie Nicodemus
- Head, Division of Supportive, Hospice and Palliative Medicine: Dr. Andrew Ang
- Head, UP Health Service: Dr. Marishiel Samonte
- Head, Rural Community-Based Health Program: Dr. Anthony Geronimo H. Cordero
- Head, Urban Community-Based Health Program: Dr. Gene Nisperos
- Coordinator, PGH New Clark City: Dr. Ian Jonathan Tiotangco
- Coordinator, PGH Toyota Mobility Clinic: Paolo Victor N. Medina
| Faculty Name | Degree | Rank | Email Address |
| Andrew E. Ang | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH with Teaching Assignment | aeang@up.edu.ph |
| Geannagail O. Anuran | MD | Medical Specialist II, PGH | goanuran@up.edu.ph |
| Kashmir Mae E. Astillero | MD | Medical Specialist II | kbengada@up.edu.ph |
| Karin E. Garcia | MD | Associate Professor | kegarcia@up.edu.ph |
| Jonathan D. Babsa-ay | MD | Medical Specialist III | jdbabsaay@up.edu.ph |
| Karin E. Garcia | MD | Associate Professor | kegarcia@up.edu.ph |
| Agnes B. Bausa-Claudio | MD | Clinical Associate Professor | abbausaclaudio@up.edu.ph |
| Eleanor Q. Bengco-Tan | MD | Visiting Physician | ebtanmd@gmail.com |
| Fides Maria Aileen V. Buenafe | MD | Medical Specialist II | fvbuenafe@up.edu.ph |
| Fides Maria Aileen V. Buenafe | MD | Medical Specialist II | Clinical Associate Professor |
| Florida U. Canuto | MD | Medical Specialist II | fdurbanocanuto@up.edu.ph |
| Niko C. Cedicol | MD | Senior Lecturer, UP CHDP | nccedicol@up.edu.ph |
| Anthony Geronimo H. Cordero | MD | Associate Professor 7 | ahcordero@up.edu.ph |
| Wilfredo A. Del Rosario | MD | Visiting Physician, PGH | wadelrosario@up.edu.ph |
| Allan George R. Dionisio | MD | Clinical Associate Professor | ardionisio@up.edu.ph |
| Kenneth N. Domasian | MD | Medical Specialist II | kndomasian@up.edu.ph |
| Aileen R. Espina | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | arespina1@up.edu.ph |
| Peter Julian A. Francisco | MD | Clinical Associate Professor | pafrancisco3@up.edu.ph |
| Am Karoline V. Gabuyo | MD | Associate Professor 5 | avgabuyo@up.edu.ph |
| Aleta Hope S. Inting-Reyes | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | asintingreyes@up.edu.ph |
| Leonard D. Javier | MD | Assistant Professor 3 | ldjavier@up.edu.ph |
| Christine Anne Corazon A. Lamorena | MD | Adjunct Physician, PGH | ting_lamo2004@yahoo.com |
| Shiela Marie S. Laviña | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | sslavina@up.edu.ph |
| Zorayda E. Leopando | MD | Professor Emeritus | zeleopando@up.edu.ph |
| Anna Guia O. Limpoco | MD | Associate Professor 5 | aolimpoco@up.edu.ph |
| Anna Guia O. Limpoco | MD | MAssociate Professor 5 | aolimpoco@up.edu.ph |
| Carrissa Alexandra C. Losantas | MD | Medical Specialist II, PGH | caclosantas@gmail.com |
| Eva Irene Y. Maglonzo | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | eymaglonzo@up.edu.ph |
| Portia Grace F. Marcelo | MD | Professor 5 | phfernandez@up.edu.ph |
| Manuel F. Medina, JR | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | mfmedina1@up.edu.ph |
| Paolo Victor N. Medina | MD | Assistant Professor 7 | pnmedina@up.edu.ph |
| Marishiel D. Mejia-Samonte | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | mdmejiasamonte@up.edu.ph |
| Allandale E. Nacino | MD | Medical Specialist II, PGH | aenacino@up.edu.ph |
| Leilanie A. Nicodemus | MD | Professor 6 | mfmedina1@up.edu.ph |
| Gene A. Nisperos | MD | Professor 2 | ganisperos@up.edu.ph |
| Eunika Aeden B. Pugay | MD | Medical Specialist II, PGH | ebpugay@up.edu.ph |
| Juan Paulo P. Pulanco | MD | Medical Specialist II, PGH | jppulanco@up.edu.ph/td> |
| Ma. Consuelo B. Pumanes | MD | Visiting Physician, PGH | mbpumanes@up.edu.ph |
| Maricar R. Sabeniano | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | mrsabeniano@up.edu.ph |
| Sitti Khadija U. Salabi | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | susalabi@up.edu.ph |
| Jardine S. Sta. Ana | MD | Clinical Associate Professor | jsstaana@up.edu.ph |
| Philip P. Tan Gatue | MD | Clinical Assistant Professor | pptangatue@up.edu.ph |
| Louricha O. Tan | MD | Associate Professor 2 | laopinatan@up.edu.ph |
| Ian Jonathan N. Tiotangco | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH/td> | intiotangco@up.edu.ph |
| Edward C. Tordesillas | MD | Visiting Physician, PGH | ectordesillas@yahoo.com |
| Martha Jane Pauline S. Umali | MD | Clinical Associate Professor | msumali1@up.edu.ph |
| Katrina Lenora Villarante | MD | Medical Specialist III, PGH | kvillarante@up.edu.ph |
| Benjamin Salvador D. Vista | MD | CVisiting Physician, PGH | benjaminvista@gmail.com |
The Department of Family and Community Medicine delivers integrated, patient-centered services across outpatient, inpatient, community, and extension platforms. Anchored in the principles of Primary Health Care and aligned with Universal Health Care, its facilities function as interconnected hubs of clinical service, training, and health systems development—ensuring continuity of care from first contact to long-term management within families and communities.
Outpatient Services
Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)
1st Floor, Emergency Room Complex Provides first-contact, accessible care for adult and pediatric patients with non-life-threatening conditions, including acute management, stabilization, and appropriate referral—serving as a key entry point into the primary care system.
Family Practice Center (FPC) and Family Health Service (FHS)
2nd Floor, Department of Outpatient Services Serves as the Department’s core primary care platform, delivering comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care through:
- Individual patient-centered services: consultation, counseling, mental health services, wellness and lifestyle management, and screening
- Family-focused services: family counseling, chronic disease management, and family wellness programs
- Multidisciplinary Clinics (MDCs): including Mucopolysaccharidoses, Ortho-Geriatric Fracture Liaison Service, Osteoarthritis, and Transition Clinic for Youth with Developmental Disabilities
Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine (PLM) Clinic
2nd Floor, Department of Outpatient Services and 8th Floor, Director’s Cottage Provides evidence-based preventive care and therapeutic lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing health risks, preventing disease, and optimizing long-term health outcomes. The clinic supports comprehensive, patient-centered management aligned with the goals of Universal Health Care, emphasizing sustained behavior change and wellness across the life course.
Supportive, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine (SHPM) Services
1st Floor, Cancer Institute Delivers holistic, person- and family-centered care for patients with life-limiting conditions across outpatient and inpatient settings. Services include pain and symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual support, home care visits, and bereavement care.
UP Health Service (UPHS)
3rd Floor, Department of Outpatient Services An accredited PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) Provider, delivering comprehensive primary care services under the national primary care benefit package, including:
- First-contact consultation and longitudinal primary care
- Preventive and promotive services, including immunization, screening, and risk assessment
- Access to essential medicines, laboratory diagnostics, and cancer screening services
- Occupational health services and workplace-based health programs
- Health education, counseling, and population-based interventions
- Institutional services, including infectious disease screening, testing, telemonitoring, and vaccination
Inpatient Services
Hospice and Palliative Care Ward
1st Floor, Spine Unit, Philippine General Hospital Provides multidisciplinary inpatient care for patients with life-limiting conditions, focusing on symptom control, quality of life, and family support within a compassionate, patient-centered environment.
Pay Patient Services
Offers family-oriented inpatient care within a private service framework, ensuring continuity of care from admission to discharge and coordination with outpatient and community-based services.
Community-Based Health Programs and Partnerships
The Department operationalizes community-oriented primary care through sustained partnerships and interlocal collaboration:
- MagNaMarTe Interlocal Health Zone (Cavite) (Magallanes, Naic, Maragondon, Ternate) through the UP Community Health and Development Program
- Manila Health Department
- Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran ng Baseco (Kabalikat) and Philippine Partnership of Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA)
These partnerships support community engagement, primary care delivery, health promotion, and systems development at the population level.
External Linkages and Extension Facilities
PGH Sports Medicine and Wellness Center
New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac A developing hub for primary care, sports medicine, and wellness, supporting population health and future expansion into a full-service healthcare facility.
Balay Lingap (PGH Halfway House and Hospice Facility)
Near Sta. Isabel College, Taft Avenue, Manila Provides transitional care, temporary accommodation for patients and caregivers, and step-down hospice and palliative services—enhancing access, continuity of care, and hospital decongestion.
Toyota Mobility Clinic
Ternate, Cavite A mobile primary care and diagnostic extension delivering laboratory, screening, and preventive services to underserved and geographically isolated communities.
Integrated Model of Care
Across all its platforms, the Department advances a model of care that is comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, accessible, and community-oriented—bridging clinical excellence with public health and ensuring that care extends beyond the hospital into homes and communities.
Advancing the Legacy: Innovation, Scholarship, and Community
As the Department of Family and Community Medicine marks five decades of service, it stands as both a steward of its rich legacy and a catalyst for the future of primary care in the Philippines. Rooted in its enduring commitment to holistic, patient-centered care, the Department continues to expand its influence—bridging clinical excellence, academic leadership, and community engagement to respond to the evolving health needs of Filipino families.
Central to this milestone year is a series of initiatives that reflect the Department’s commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. The Legacy Lecture Series brings together faculty, alumni, and partners in a shared space of reflection and advancement—revisiting core principles such as the Patient-centered, Family-focused, and Community-oriented (PFC) approach, Evidence-Based Medicine and Quality Improvement, Community-Oriented Primary Care, Counseling and Clinical Excellence, and postgraduate training pathways. These sessions not only celebrate foundational knowledge, but also reaffirm the Department’s role in shaping responsive, relevant, and future-ready medical education.
Complementing these academic initiatives are milestone events that celebrate not only the Department’s journey, but the people who have given it life and meaning. The DFCM 50th Anniversary Celebration, in partnership with the UP–Philippine General Hospital, together with the Grand Alumni Homecoming, serve as powerful moments of reconnection, recognition, and renewed commitment to service. These gatherings honor generations of faculty, alumni, partners, and stakeholders whose dedication, passion, and shared vision have shaped the Department and advanced Family and Community Medicine across the country and beyond.
Equally central to the Department’s mission is its commitment to research and knowledge generation. The Department proudly contributed to the Family and Community Medicine Issue (Volume 58, Number 13, 2024) of Acta Medica Philippina, an open-access, internationally peer-reviewed medical and health sciences journal. This milestone publication reflects the Department’s dedication to producing high-quality, evidence-based research that informs clinical practice, strengthens medical education, and contributes to the development of responsive health systems.
As it moves forward, the Department carries with it not only the achievements of the past fifty years, but a renewed sense of purpose—to lead with excellence, innovate with intention, and serve with compassion. Its story continues, shaped by those who came before, strengthened by those who serve today, and inspired by the generations it continues to form.
Phone: +632 85548400 local 2522 or 2523
E-mail: dfcm.uppgh@up.edu.ph