The College of Medicine of the University of Northern Philippines strengthened its commitment to evidence-based healthcare as it convened faculty members and students for its 4th Post Graduate Course, themed “Mirroring Research and Practice, Nurturing a Culture of Evidence-Based Healthcare,” on September 16, 2026 at the UNP Auditorium.
As part of College of Medicine Week, the academic gathering brought together faculty members and students to strengthen the vital link between medical research and clinical practice. The activity emphasized the importance of generating, sharing, and applying reliable evidence to guide clinical decisions, improve healthcare delivery, and address emerging health challenges.
The program opened with remarks from Dr. Pablo Quedado, Dean of the College of Medicine, who emphasized the significance of continuing professional learning and research in strengthening medical education and healthcare practice.
UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna reaffirmed the University’s continuing pursuit of academic excellence and research-driven development, emphasizing the vital role of research in advancing medical education and improving healthcare practice. In his message, he highlighted the University’s efforts to strengthen a culture of inquiry and evidence-based learning, enabling faculty members and students to generate knowledge that can inform healthcare interventions, respond to emerging health concerns, and contribute to better health outcomes and the overall well-being of communities.
A major highlight of the post-graduate course was the Dr. Antonio R. Lahoz Memorial Lecture, carrying the theme “A Clinician’s Perspective on the Impact of Renal Replacement Therapy in the Survival of CKD Patients.”
The memorial lecture paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. Antonio R. Lahoz, founder of the UNP College of Medicine, while also revisiting his contributions to medical research and practice. An audio-visual presentation featuring his life and legacy was shown, followed by the presentation of his research by Dr. Esperanza Lahoz.
Dr. Oliver Nicolas Mabanag served as the speaker for the memorial lecture, providing a clinician’s perspective on renal replacement therapy and its relevance to the survival and management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
A message from the Lahoz family was also delivered during the event, further highlighting the enduring contribution of the College of Medicine founder to medical education and healthcare.
Dr. Ria Jane Uclaray, President of the Ilocos Sur Medical Society, delivered a message highlighting the importance of collaboration among medical professionals, academic institutions, and researchers in advancing healthcare in the province and beyond.
The post-graduate course featured four technical sessions that brought together emerging healthcare issues, clinical perspectives, medical technology, and research findings.
Session 1, titled “Traumatic Brain Injury and its Impact on Public Health,” featured Dr. Elton Ong as speaker. The session was complemented by the presentation of the research study “The Epidemiologic Profile and Outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury in Ilocos Sur,” presented by Dr. Crispin Allan Viado.
The session placed attention on traumatic brain injury not only as a clinical concern but also as a public health issue, with research providing a basis for understanding its epidemiologic profile and outcomes in the local setting.
Session 2, “Tap and Click: A New PIE Technique,” featured Dr. Earl Louis Sempio, faculty member of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, as speaker. The session explored an emerging dimension of medical practice involving technology and innovation.
Complementing the discussion was the presentation of Dr. Irwina Lazo on the qualitative research study “Clerkship: Actual or Virtual, A Qualitative Study,” examining the experiences and dimensions of clinical clerkship in actual and virtual learning environments.
Session 3, entitled “Labor Pains: Controversies and Evidence,” was led by Dr. Glenda Rabino. The session examined issues surrounding labor and pain management through the lens of available evidence.
Adding a research perspective, Dr. Ivy Bello presented the study “An Experimental Study on the Effect of Music Intervention on Pain Reduction During Labor,” demonstrating how research can explore complementary approaches to improving patient experiences during childbirth.
The final technical session, Session 4: “PAOD: The New MI,” featured the research presentation of Dr. Luz Gregoria Velasco, titled “Incidence of Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease among UNP Employees.”
The moderators during the event were Dr. Dominetta Gonzalo, Assistant Dean; Dr. Loralie Galera; Dr. Ailyn Isais-Agdeppa; Dr. Maria Fatima Sabaten-Tan and; Dr. Max Geronimo Butardo.
Through the presentation, the activity highlighted the importance of recognizing vascular health concerns and generating institution-based evidence that can inform health awareness, prevention, and clinical management.
By bringing together medical experts, faculty researchers, and students, the 4th Post Graduate Course served as a platform for translating research findings into meaningful discussions on clinical practice and public health.
The diversity of topics—from chronic kidney disease and traumatic brain injury to medical informatics, clinical education, maternal care, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease—highlighted the broad role of research in understanding health conditions, improving medical education, and supporting evidence-informed decisions.
More than a continuing education activity, the gathering reinforced the College of Medicine’s pursuit of a culture where research and practice inform and strengthen each other, equipping future physicians and medical educators with the knowledge and critical perspective needed to respond to evolving healthcare challenges.
