Five decades ago, the Section of Orthopedics was carved out of the Philippine General Hospital’s Department of Surgery and became the newest clinical department in the hospital and in the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines - Manila. Pioneers Drs. Ambrosio F. Tangco and Dr. Jose V. Silao laid the groundwork and brisk development soon followed in terms of physical facilities, faculty development, teaching and training and most importantly orthopedic care to patients.
The department is currently in the forefront in terms of excellence in orthopedic training, research and patient care in the country. Graduates of our residency training program go on to become recognized pioneers, experts and leaders in their fields. Some even become directors / administrators of hospitals, academic heads in colleges and universities, leaders of national and international professional organizations, renowned researchers and excellent teachers. Graduates of our fellowship programs in Tumor, Ilizarov Surgery, Hand Surgery and Arthroplasty have all ventured to the different corners of the country to provide subspecialty care for more complicated orthopedic cases.
From the initial five sections of Trauma, Adult, Hand, Pedia and Spine, subspecialty services mushroomed in the course of time. The pioneering work by consultant-champions led to the establishment of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Unit, Ilizarov and Limb Deformity Reconstruction Service, Reconstructive Microsurgery Service, Arthroplasty Service and Sports Medicine Service. The latest initiative is the formation of the Foot and Ankle Service. With the establishment of subspecialty services, clinics were also put up to ensure quality care and follow-up of special cohort of orthopedic patients. Aside from the general orthopedic clinic, we also currently have the following specialty clinics: Clubfoot Clinic, Tumor Clinic, Arthroplasty Clinic, Micro Clinic and Sports Medicine Clinic.
The Orthopedic Learning Center in the Spine Building also houses certain facilities essential in the field of orthopedics. The first to be established was the Brace and Prosthetic Shop. The Norberto Agcaoili Memorial Tissue Bank is the only Bone / Tissue bank in the country and is a vital resource for bone allografts required in many orthopedic reconstruction procedures. The only gait laboratory in the country is also located in the department and was established in collaboration with Marquette University of the USA. This laboratory has proven its worth not just in research but also in guiding interventions in clinical cases.
Research is deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the department staff and trainees. During the department’s infancy a Research Unit was organized. One of the earliest annual Research Fora in the hospital was introduced by the Department of Orthopedics. The long list of the department’s research output is presented both in local and international venues. Many of these research papers are published in various peer reviewed scientific journals.
As it is about to celebrate its Golden Anniversary, the department has matured into a vital cog in the hospital and in the college. More remarkable is that its present and former staff, graduates and trainees have come to feel that they all belong in an ORTHOPEDIC FAMILY.
Kindly click here to go to the Department of Orthopedics official website
VISION
A dynamic orthopedic department dedicated to achieving excellence in training, research and service for the benefit of the Filipino people.
MISSION
Guided by moral, ethical and spiritual values, we commit ourselves to excellence in Orthopedic Health Care while maintaining a balance between work and family.
For Training
We will treat our trainees as partners in learning as we conduct a training program directed towards ethical practice and responsive to the needs of the community.
For Service
We will provide the community with quality care, which is effective, efficient and humane.
For Research
We will nurture a conducive atmosphere to produce high quality research to answer the needs of our patients, our country and the rest of the world.
On June 22, 1971, the Department of Orthopedics was created by virtue of a resolution passed by the Board of Regents during its 810th meeting. Before this date, the section of Orthopedics functioned under the Department of Surgery, with Dr. Ambrosio F. Tangco serving as the section head. When Dr. Tangco was appointed as a member of the UP Board of Regents, Dr. Manuel T. Rivera took over as section head. The appointment of Dr. Tangco to the Board of Regents would prove providential for it was through his efforts that the creation of Department of Orthopedics was approved unanimously.
The department started its formal organization as a separate unit of the Philippine General Hospital and the UP College of Medicine on October 12, 1971. The physical plant consisted of 33 beds in Ward 19, 8 beds in Ward 8 for female orthopedic patients and 2 beds in the Pediatric ward. There were 2 operating rooms at the OR given for the exclusive use of orthopedic patients. There was a makeshift outpatient clinic at the Cancer Institute and emergency care were managed in Wards 7 and 9.
Dr. Jose V. Silao, Jr., was named as the first department chair, with Dr. Manuel T. Rivera, Dr. Rafael S. Recto, Jr. and Dr. Richard Ow-Abayang as members of the staff. In 1972, Dr. Napoleon M. Apolinario joined the staff and became the Executive Officer. The first batch of orthopedic residents included Dr. Ellewellyn G. Pasion, who became the first chief resident, Dr. Antonio M. Montalban, Dr. Arturo Quiazon, and Dr. Emilio B. Cadayona
With Dr. Silao at the helm, the basic foundation of the department was established and fast-tracked. A 5-year development plan was aimed at 1) developing the physical facilities, 2) forming a teaching and training program, 3) improving patient care and services and 4) faculty development. By the end of the second year, half of these goals were already achieved.
In July 1972, through the benevolence of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, construction began for an orthopedic outpatient services building which was completed in November of the same year. The building housed an outpatient clinic, a 12-bed pediatric orthopedic ward, a cast room, an x-ray and dark room and a record room. Later, a Brace and Prosthetic Shop was incorporated.
Through Dr. Silao’s visionary spirit, faculty development was fast tracked, too. Graduates of the 4-year residency program were sent for fellowships in the United Kingdom, West Germany, France, Denmark, Hongkong, Singapore and Japan. This was instrumental in establishing the different orthopedic subspecialties in the department.
The Spine Unit and Orthopedic Learning Center which was completed in 2003 is a 4-storey building where a spine ward, a conference room, the department office, a tissue bank, a biomechanical laboratory, a library, and a microsurgical laboratory is housed. All the offices of the different sections and services are also located here.
From its modest beginning, the Department of Orthopedics has seen tremendous growth and development in the last 49 years and has participated actively in the orthopedic education and training on a national scale. It has produced 196 graduates of the residency training program, with a sizable number of graduates becoming leaders and educators in the provinces. The department has currently 5 sections (Adult Orthopedics, Trauma, Spine, Pediatric Orthopedics and Hand) and 5 services (Musculoskeletal Tumor Service, Ilizarov and Limb Deformity, Microvascular and Replantation Service, Sports Medicine Service and Arthroplasty Service).
The Past Chairmen of the Department includes the following: Dr. Jose V. Silao, Jr. (1971-82); Dr. Rafael S. Recto, Jr. (1983-86); Dr. Napoleon N. Apolinario (1986-90); Dr. Antonio M. Montalban (1991-93); Dr. Norberto R. Agcaoili (1994-96); Dr. Ellewellyn G. Pasion (1997-2003), Dr. Cirilo R. Tacata, Jr. (2004-09) & Dr. Mario B. Geronilla (2010-2013).
Residency Program in Orthopedic Surgery
The Department offers a four-year residency training in Orthopedic Surgery. The program includes rotation in Orthopedic Trauma, Adult and Reconstructive Orthopedics, pediatrics Orthopedics, Spine surgery, and Hand and Microvascular Surgery. Special rotations in Musculoskeletal Tumor, Sports Medicine, and Ilizarov Surgery are part of the training program.
Teaching sessions are in the form of regular didactic sessions, patient rounds, conferences, and special lectures and cadaver dissections. Residents in training are given hands-on experience in orthopedic surgeries, outpatient care and in-hospital patient management.
The Philippine Board of Orthopedics recognizes the training program. Residents are given salaried posts and other benefits enjoyed by resident physicians in the Philippine General Hospital during their training. Residents are evaluated regularly by the consultant staff in terms of Training, Research, and Service for promotion to a higher level of training.
Hand and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship
The Hand Fellowship is designed for fellows to acquire both clinical and surgical skills in a graduated fashion over a one-year period. The skills acquired include: history taking, regional physical examination, and indications for and interpretation of musculoskeletal diagnostic tests. Fellows will be instructed in the formulation of a differential diagnosis and will be encouraged to acquire a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and management of hand and upper extremity problems. Attendance at conferences, hand surgical texts, and faculty all aid in this process. Operative skills are acquired through exposure in the major and minor operating rooms and one on one teaching where applicable and needed.
As the year progresses, there will be increased responsibility both in the outpatient and operating room setting. In the outpatient setting, the fellow is expected to hone his/her skills in information gathering, formulation of a differential diagnosis, and formulation of treatment plans with acceptable alternatives. In the operating room, the fellow will ultimately be expected to perform standard hand surgical procedures with minimal supervision. The fellowship program has ample case material in which to develop all facets of patient care skills and graduated responsibility.
Ilizarov and Limb Deformity Fellowship
The fellowship is a combined clinical and research fellowship lasting for 6 months. The clinical work and responsibilities include the handling of ILDS patients in the ff. areas: (1) Wards (2) Out patient Department/Specialty Clinic (3) Operating Room. Besides the regular rounds in the wards, the fellow is to attend the weekly Teaching Rounds with the Service Consultants and Journal Club. The fellow is also required to attend the weekly Pre-op Conferences and Special Friday conferences of the Department of Orthopaedics. The research work includes formulation and promulgation of a research protocol on a basic science question regarding Ilizarov surgery. Supervision of research will be by an ILDS consultant. An optional clinical research on IDS patients is also encouraged.
Musculoskeletal Tumor Fellowship
CHAIR: Dr. Peter B. Bernardo
EXECUTIVE OFFICE: Dr. Jose Ma. D. Bautista
VICE CHAIR FOR POST GRADUATE TRAINING & EDUCATION: Dr. Jose Ma. D. Bautista
Assistant Chair: Dr. Tristam Montales
Postgraduate Training Coordinators:
| Name |
Position |
| Dr. Lyndon L. Bathan |
Adult |
| Dr. Tristram D. Montales |
Hand |
| Dr. Gracia Cielo E. Balce |
Pedia |
| Dr. Dave Anthony G. Dizon |
Spine |
| Dr. Patrick M. Dizon |
Trauma |
| Dr. Donnel Alexis T. Rubio |
Basic Sciences |
VICE CHAIR FOR UNDEGRADUATE TRAINING AND EDUCATION: Dr. Samuel Arsenio M. Grozman
Undergraduate Training Coordinators:
| Name |
Position |
| Dr. Tristram D. Montales |
Learning Unit IV |
| Dr. Samuel M. Grozman |
Learning Unit V |
| Dr. Patrick M. Dizon |
Learning Unit VI |
| Dr. Nathaniel S. Orillaza, Jr. |
Learning Unit VII |
VICE CHAIR FOR RESEARCH: Dr. Nathaniel S. Orillaza Jr
Research Coordinators:
| Name |
Position |
| Dr. Czar Louie L. Gaston |
Adult |
| Dr. Nathaniel S. Orillaza, Jr. |
Hand |
| Dr. Carlo Emmanuel J. Sumpaico |
Pedia |
| Dr. Samuel Arsenio M. Grozman |
Spine |
| Dr. Norberto A. Meriales |
Trauma |
EHRO Representatives: Dr. Nathaniel S. Orillaza Jr.
IV. VICE CHAIR FOR HEALTH SERVICES: Dr. Dave Anthony G. Dizon
| Name |
Position |
| Dr. Dave Anthony G. Dizon |
Coordinator for Wards |
| Dr. Frederick Nicomedez |
Coordinator for OPD |
| Dr. Norberto A. Meriales |
Coordinator for ER |
| Dr. Dave Anthony G. Dizon |
Coordinator for OR/ORMAT |
| Dr. Dave Anthony G. Dizon |
Coordinator for DPPS |
Faculty
| Name of Faculty |
Status |
Email |
| ALPUERTO, BERNARDINO II B. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
bernard2nd@gmail.com |
| AZORES, GREGORIO MARCELO S. |
Associate Professor 7 |
giazores@yahoo.com |
| BALCE, GRACIA CIELO E. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
cielobalce@gmail.com |
| BATHAN, LYNDON L. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
llbathan@up.edu.ph |
| BAUTISTA, JOSE MA. D. |
Associate Professor 6 |
jdbautista2@up.edu.ph |
| BERNARDO, PETER B. |
Associate Professor 7 |
pbbernardo@up.edu.ph |
| BUNDOC, RAFAEL C. |
Professor 11, item c/o Anatomy |
rcbundoc@up.edu.ph |
| CATBAGAN, ADRIAN B. |
Associate Professor 4 |
abcspine@hotmail.com |
| DELA ROSA, TAMMY L. |
Associate Professor 3, item c/o Biochem |
Biochem tammydelarosa@yahoo.com |
| DIMAYUGA, CESAR CIPRIANO D. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
cesardimayuga@gmail.com |
| DIZON, DAVE ANTHONY G. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
dgdizon@up.edu.ph |
| DIZON, PATRICK M. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
pmdizon1@up.edu.ph |
| ESTRELLA, EMMANUEL P. |
Research Associate Professor 7, item c/o NIH |
epestrella@up.edu.ph |
| GASTON, CZAR LOUIE L. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
clgaston@up.edu.ph |
| GROZMAN, SAMUEL ARSENIO M. |
Associate Professor 7 |
smgrozman@up.edu.ph |
| IGNACIO, JOSE MANUEL F. |
Associate Professor 7 |
kaingca@yahoo.com |
| JAVIER, JUANITO S. |
Associate Professor 7 |
jsjavier6@up.edu.ph |
| LAI, JOSEPH GARVY L. |
Associate Professor 3 |
jllai@up.edu.ph |
| MERIALES, NORBERTO A. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
robbie_meriales@yahoo.com |
| MONTALES, TRISTRAM D. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
tdmontales@up.edu.ph |
| NICOMEDEZ, FREDERICK PATRICK I. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
nick_nicomedez@yahoo.com |
| ORILLAZA, NATHANIEL S. Jr. |
Associate Professor 7 |
nsorillaza@up.edu.ph |
| PADUA, MARY RUTH A. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
mapadua@up.edu.ph |
| PANER, NILO T. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
ntpaner@up.edu.ph |
| QUINTOS, ALBERT JEROME D. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
jojiquintos@gmail.com |
| RUBIO, DONNEL ALEXIS T. |
Associate Professor 2 |
don23ph@yahoo.com |
| SUMPAICO, CARLO EMMANUEL J. |
Associate Professor 7 |
cjsumapico@up.edu.ph |
| TABU, IREWIN A. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
iatabu@up.edu.ph |
| VALDEZ, AMBROSIO EMILIO S. |
Clinical Associate Professor |
ambrosiovaldez@hotmail.com |
| WANG, EDWARD H.M. |
Professor 12 |
ehwang@up.edu.ph |
Administrative Staff
| Name |
Position |
Email |
| Alba, Jerry P. |
Artificial Limb & Brace Maker III |
| Bachiller, Arnold P. |
Admin Aide III |
| Bagood, Romer J. |
Artificial Limb & Brace Maker III |
| Basmayor, Vivian B. |
Admin Officer V |
vbbasmayor1@up.edu.ph |
| Caparas, Flordeliza B. |
Admin Assistant III |
fbcaparas@up.edu.ph |
| Dela Cruz, Jessa May R. |
Research Assistant (JO) |
jessamaydelacruz77@g,mail.com |
| Magpile, Vilma A. |
Admin Aide VI |
vamagpile@up.edu.ph |
| Ordoñez, Gina |
Laboratory Technician II |
gmordonez@up.edu.ph |
| Robles, Joni Mitchell R. |
Encoder (JO) |
bamopdortho@gmail.com |
| Turqueza, May S.B. |
Laboratory Technician III |
mayturqueza@yahoo.com |
Osawa-Tangco Library
As a center for orthopedic literature, it houses volumes of the orthopedic journals dating back to 1950 up to the present. It is equipped with state of the art facilities for research.
Prosthetic/Orthothics Laboratory
The Prosthetic/Orthotic Laboratory is one of three such hospital-based centers in the country that is producing quality appliance to improve the function of patients with musculoskeletal deficiencies in the upper and lower limb as well as the spine. It has a dedicated orthopedic technician who produces orthotic devices for charity and pay patients. It has a complete facility that allows consultant staff and residents to produce innovative prototypes that can also be tested within the unit for their clinical merits.
Norberto R. Agcaoili Memorial Tissue Bank
A unit for the processing of tissue allografts particularly bone. As the first bone bank in the country, it supplies the allografts for tumor resection, joint replacement and spine surgeries. It is manned by a dedicated and certified bone bank technician.
Motion Analysis Program / Gait Lab
Gait analysis is the systematic study of locomotion, more specifically the study of human motion, using the eye and the brain of observers, augmented by instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics, and the activity of the muscles. Being the first of its kind in the Philippines, its impact will definitely be felt in terms of increasing our research output, of augmenting the training of our residents and medical students and of improving the treatment and care of the Filipino patient. The power of motion analysis to document the usefulness of various therapeutic interventions is particularly useful in surgery, orthotic/prosthetic application, and pharmacologic/physical therapeutic treatments.
Microsurgical Laboratory
It is imperative that the reconstructive surgeon master microsurgical technique prior to engaging in clinical microsurgery. The primary task of developing this expertise is most efficiently performed in the microsurgical laboratory. The immediate availability of the materials necessary to establish a laboratory, their low cost, and the numerous microsurgical exercises that can be performed in such a facility make the microsurgical laboratory a practical and necessary addition to surgical training centers. With the aid of a microsurgical laboratory, practice, and strict adherence to the established guidelines of microsurgical technique, the reconstructive surgeon can develop the skills necessary to master the art of microsurgery. The surgeon wishing to learn microsurgery must earnestly devote much time and energy to the pursuit of perfection as each successful microsurgical case is attributed to hours of practice in the microsurgical lab.
DIVISION OF ADULT ORTHOPEDICS
The Adult Orthopedics Section deals with common orthopedic problems in adults including arthritis, bone and joint infection; reconstructive procedures including joint replacement/arthroplasty; and chronic traumatic injuries of the extremity
DIVISION OF TRAUMA
The Trauma Section mainly deals with fractures and dislocations, including soft tissue injuries of the upper and lower extremities managed accordingly with a multidisciplinary team backing.
DIVISION SPINE SURGERY
The Spine Section concerns itself with the specialized care of patients affected by spine conditions. This includes degenerative conditions (e.g. spinal stenosis & disc problems), infections, congenital anomalies, tumors, deformities (e.g. scoliosis) as well as traumatic injuries to the spinal column.
DIVISION OF HAND AND RECONSTRUCTIVE MICROSURGERY
The Hand Section manages all hand disorders. This section seeks to improve the quality of life of patients with afflictions of the hand secondary to infections, deformity and traumatic conditions.
DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDICS
The Pediatric Orthopedics Section provides comprehensive management of a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents, including congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, and acquired limb deformities. As part of its commitment in improving its services, the section also engages in research to analyze and evaluate clinical outcomes of current surgical and non-surgical care.
Arthroplasty Service
The Arthroplasty Service cater to myriad of cases - ranging from post-traumatic to degenerative and even inflammatory joint conditions - requiring joint reconstruction and arthroplasty with revision and realignment osteotomy procedures.
Musculoskeletal Tumor Service
The Musculoskeletal Tumor Service is a member of a Multidisciplinary Unit, which includes the pathologist, oncologist and physiatrist. This service specializes in the management of bone and soft tissue tumors of the spine and extremities, including limb salvage and reconstruction procedures that improve quality of life to our patients.
Sports Medicine Service
The Sports Medicine Service concerns itself with sports related injuries, surgical management of sports injuries and rehabilitation. This service also offers a comprehensive screening program for athletes.
Reconstructive Microsurgery Service
The Reconstructive Microsurgery Service specializes in the replantation of severed extremities: vascular and nerve repair; vascularized bone and soft tissue reconstruction of the extremities, and brachial plexus reconstructive surgery.
Ilizarov and Limb Deformity Service
The Ilizarov and Limb Deformity Service specializes in stabilization of open comminuted shaft and periarticular fractures, the service also deals with complex limb deformities in adults and children using the Ilizarov principle of distraction osteogenesis for limb lengthening and deformity correction.
The department strongly believes that research is one of the avenues to help improve the practice of orthopaedics. The residents, with the guidance from our consultants, generate research papers and research protocols that are approved by the Philippine General Hospital Ethics Review Board. Our consultants themselves produce research papers together with other orthopaedic surgeons from other hospitals.
Currently, we are one of the leading institutions that publish research papers both nationally and internationally. To add to this, one of our consultants was able to publish a textbook that is currently distributed worldwide. Some of the residents had the opportunity to present their research papers in conferences abroad, United States and Australia.
Currently, our department has invested in an internet-based data collection form to enhance the research output of the department. We aim to publish more of our work in the years to come.
