Xavier-CSMC partnership assures high-quality health services for students

MANILA, Philippines - Xavier School is leading the way in offering students high-quality health services by partnering with one of the country’s premiere hospitals. On May 11, 2011, school president Fr. Johnny Go, SJ signed a memorandum of agreement with the president of Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), Dr. Corazon Consunji, formalizing a unique partnership between the two institutions. 

In the initial meeting set up by George Lee (XS ’80), former president of Greenhills West Home Association and newly elected vice-chair of the Xavier School Parents Auxiliary, Dr. Consunji expressed the hospital’s objective to become a more proactive member of the San Juan community and explored possible ways of collaboration with Xavier School, such as informal training for Xavier students and community outreach. From this discussion, the idea of partnering with CSMC to improve the school’s clinic services was formed.

Under this novel arrangement, Cardinal Santos will assign a team of six pediatricians and three nurses, led by Dr. Brandon Ericta, to provide the school’s core medical services. The relationship will not only guarantee an immediate boost in the provision of professional health care, courtesy of highly trained and experienced medical practitioners; but it will also ensure a seamless transfer of cases to a first-class hospital in the event of a serious emergency.

In addition, CSMC will design and administer a Junior Doctor program that will introduce the medical profession to Xavier students, while providing them field experience that will also focus on service to the more marginalized patients of the hospital.

After the signing, Go expressed hope that the “partnership with CSMC will establish a healthier Xavier community that is ever more responsive to the needs of the San Juan community.”