On 08 January 2020, Medical Technology students from various colleges and universities in Luzon flocked to the Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) Research, Innovation, Science, and Enterprise (RISE) Tower to learn more about their future profession and the field’s recent developments at the Student Forum organized by the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health (PASMETH) and Philippine Society of Medical Students (PHISMETS).
Titled “Updates on the Latest Trends and Issues on Medical Technology”, the event featured esteemed experts as its resource speakers. Dr. Maria Teresa D. Rodriguez, Dean of the College of Medical Technology of the Trinity University of Asia, engaged the students in a lively discussion of updates on Clinical Chemistry. Infusing her talk with interaction, Dr. Rodriguez allowed the audience to recall important details, lessons and explanations, and test what they know as future Medical Technology professionals.
Ricky D. Martinez Jr., former President of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists-United States of America (PAMET-USA), former Blood Bank Supervisor in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Special Lecturer on Blood Banking and Human Resource at Arellano University, held a session on blood donation, focusing on responses to frequently asked questions on topics like donor eligibility. He likewise discussed the benefits of donating blood. Moreover, he gave a glimpse on how it is to journey and work as a Medical Technologist in the USA based on his own experience, citing that “Filipinos are excellent workers.”
Part of the Student Forum lineup are respected educators in the USA. Dr. Melissa P. Upton, Professor Emeritus of Pathology and Associate Director of the Pathology Residency Training Program of the University of Washington, opened the floor for questions. The attendees mostly asked about pursuing the profession in the USA, particularly the certifications needed for practice. Lauding Philippine training as “gold standard”, Dr. Upton encouraged the students “to be ambassadors of the Medical Technology profession.”
Dr. Shirley F. Cruzada, Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the College of Southern Nevada, Immediate Past President of PAMET-USA, and former President of PAMET Philippines, gave an overview of job vacancy, wages, and benefits of the Medical Technologist profession in the USA, with reference to the 2018 American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Vacancy and Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the US.
Also present in the occasion was Dean Bernard U. Ebuen, PASMETH President.
After the forum, speakers and guests were given a chance to tour the facilities of the RISE Tower, including the Clinical Simulation Center which houses state-of-the-art training facilities and equipment, such as the IV Therapy and Blood Transfusion Unit, the CAE Apollo, and the Student Auscultation Manikin (SAM II).
Around 28 Medical Technology schools and universities participated in the symposium, including OLFU’s College of Medical Laboratory Science in the Valenzuela, Antipolo, Pampanga, and Quezon City campuses.
