Former PRESIDENT CARLOS P. GARCIA describe the founding of UERM Medical Center as a "great adventure, marking the advent in the Philippines of educational philanthropy."

That statement was made 54 years ago and yet remains relevant today, in the age of computers, social messaging, smartphones and non-invasive treatment. The late Filipino leader proved prophetic as we witnessed UERMMMCI's transformation into a leading institution for the health sciences.

A non-stock, non-profit corporation, the Center prides itself as a bastion of quality education-an entity that aspires to produce "quality graduates and professionals who are skillful, compassionate, ethical and committed to lifelong education and learning."

Indeed, it was a great adventure. The Center, a memorial to former President Garcia's predecessor, Ramon Magsaysay, stands proud today as one of the country's reputable medical institutions, the fruit of an unforgettable journey that took UERMMMCI on a bumpy but rewarding ride.

With the support of a high-caliber faculty and distinguished trustees, our graduates performed exceedingly well in the recent licensure exams. Needless to say, the UERMMMCI Colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Physical Therapy are in the list of top performing schools by virtue of our graduates' excellent showing in the board exams.

I know the sterling performance of our students in the past government licensure tests is no longer news among the UERMMMCI community as this had been reported in the media and Mediscope, but I can't help but expound on it. It has been a source of pride and self-fulfillment for me to see our graduates, recipients of the Center's sound educational policies, excel in academic and extra-curricular activities.

There's much work to be done as we strive to become a premier Academic Medical Center for the Health Sciences. But I have no doubt the faculty and staff, school administrators, the alumni as well as hospital officials share the same resolve to protect and nourish the gains we have achieved, and eventually bring this proud institution closer to its noble pursuits.

I appreciate the hard work and sacrifices you have done for the Center and for the sake of academic excellence. Thank you very much and Kiong Hee Huat Tsai.

Dr. LUCIO C. TAN
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer