PHMC Holds First Medical Staff Meeting: Nearly 200 Medical Staff Attend Groundbreaking Orientation and Fellowship

PHMC Holds First Medical Staff Meeting: Nearly 200 Medical Staff Attend Groundbreaking Orientation and Fellowship

March 23, 2025 – PHMC Lobby

Written by: Raul L. Lapitan, MD

On March 23, 2025, the spacious lobby of Prime Hospital & Medical Center (PHMC) was filled with energy and anticipation as nearly 200 members of the medical staff gathered for the institution’s First Medical Meeting. The event marked a major step in the final preparations for PHMC’s operational launch, bringing together physicians and department heads for a full day of orientation, discussion, and fellowship.

The program began as early as 8:00 AM with a professional photoshoot for all medical staff. While waiting for everyone to arrive, individual and departmental photos were taken to be used for hospital IDs, directories, and internal records. The photo session paused at 10:00 AM for the start of the formal program and resumed after lunch at 1:00 PM, allowing remaining attendees to complete their photos and tour the hospital’s various facilities.

The official meeting began with Welcome and Opening Remarks delivered by Chairman of the Board, Dr. Cesar Tongo, who expressed deep appreciation for the medical community’s commitment and trust in PHMC’s vision.

“This isn’t just the beginning of clinical operations — it’s the beginning of a shared mission,” Dr. Tongo said. “As clinicians and partners, we are all stakeholders in the success of PHMC, and together, we will build a health institution rooted in excellence, service, and compassion.”

This was followed by institutional updates from the President and CEO, Col. Agustin Zozobrado, who shared current developments in the hospital’s infrastructure and outlined key milestones for full operational readiness. He walked the attendees through completed areas and emphasized the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities and patient-centered layout.

The event was hosted by PHMC Medical Director, Dr. Raul L. Lapitan, who also facilitated a structured three-hour orientation covering all critical aspects of hospital operations and medical staff responsibilities.

The first session was led by Dr. Jane Panaligan, Hospital Administrator, who presented the General Policies, Protocols, and Administrative Guidelines of the institution. These included patient safety procedures, code of conduct, infection control protocols, and key administrative workflows.

Dr. Leonora Obmasca, Chief of Clinics, then discussed the standards for credentialing, grievance mechanisms, and the process for room selection and assignments, ensuring that protocols are fair, transparent, and designed to support quality care and collegiality among consultants.

Dr. Rodolfo Luna, OPD Chief, detailed the rules and basic protocols for holding outpatient clinics, including scheduling of appointments, usage of electronic medical records (EMRs), coordination with allied services, and patient flow efficiency. He also emphasized the importance of professionalism, punctuality, and patient-first practices in daily clinical work.

One of the most essential segments of the meeting was delivered by Ms. Joy Luna, Head of the Pharmacy Department, who addressed the hospital’s compliance with FDA regulations, particularly the importance of S3 prescription requirements for controlled drugs. She reminded the doctors of their legal and ethical responsibilities in prescription practices and emphasized PHMC’s commitment to pharmaceutical safety and accountability.

The structured orientation was followed by an open forum, allowing attendees to ask questions, clarify concerns, and provide input. The discussion was highly participative, reflecting the enthusiasm and engagement of PHMC’s incoming consultants.

To celebrate the successful meeting, participants were treated to a fellowship lunch in the adjacent dining area — a relaxed setting for reconnecting with colleagues and building new professional relationships.

After lunch, the photoshoot resumed and the rest of the afternoon was devoted to ocular visits. Doctors toured the hospital’s key areas, including the Outpatient Department, Operating Room complex, inpatient rooms, imaging and laboratory facilities, and specialized care units. Many attendees expressed admiration for the thoughtfully designed layout and cutting-edge technology that PHMC will soon offer to its patients.

The First Medical Meeting concluded with a renewed sense of pride, unity, and readiness. With a well-oriented, well-informed, and highly committed medical staff, PHMC is positioned to fulfill its mission of becoming a center of excellence in healthcare.

Carrying its banner promise —

“Your Health, Our Prime Commitment” —

PHMC is now more ready than ever to open its doors and hearts to the community it aims to serve.