SOCOTEC AWARDS VMMCACCREDITATION9001:2015

2019 JULY - DECEMBER

For the second time around, the Veterans Memorial Medical Center has been assessed by SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc., and successfully completed the annual surveillance audit conducted last December 3, 2019.

The attestation, given by SOCOTEC reads,” In accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems) and now has been recommended for continued certification. The scope of the certification is for the Provision of Healthcare Services.

The accreditation was attested by Mr. Gilmore A. Rivera, Operations Director for SOCOTEC Certifications Philippines, Inc. issued on December 16, 2019.

The SOCOTEC group is a leading in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) We ensure the integrity and performance of assets and people’s safety, helping clients around the world manage risk and improve performance throughout their projects’ lifecycles. among others. The SOCOTEC Group operates in 25 countries on five continents. We provide our services to the same high standards wherever we work, adapting them to match the specific conditions of local markets.

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USDVA New ClinicManager Visits VMMC

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AGFO OfficialsDistributes Canes toVeteran Patients

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VMMC Marks 64thAnniversary

On July 15, 2019, Mr. Daniel Gutkoski, the Incoming Manager of the United States Department for Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Outpatient Clinic in Manila visited VMMC and met with key hospital officials to offer their plans to the tap the services of the Medical Center for the medical needs of eligible US veterans residing and visiting in the Philippines.

Mr. Gutkoski together with other USDVA officials namely; Kevin J. McAl-ister, VA Manila Regional Benefit Office Assistant Director, Christian Mejia, VA Outpatient Clinic Chief of the Support Services Division (SSD), Roel Cruzillo and Lorrie Rivera were cordially welcomed by VMMC Direc-tor Dominador M. Chiong Jr, Dr. Franklin V. Gali , Assistant Director , Dr. Mariano A. Mejia, Chief, Medical Professional Staff and select hospital officials at the CPS Conference Room.

Upon his request, Mr Gutkoski was accompanied by Dr. Mejia in a brief tour of the newly-renovated areas of the hospital while the rest of the guests stayed at the CPS Conference Room for a thorough discussion of their plan.During the meeting, the USDVA officials voiced

VISITS VMMCNEW CLINICMANAGERUSDVA

out their desire of partnering anew with the hospital to provide treatment to service-connected disabilities of US veterans living in the country particularly those residing in Manila. Dr. Chiong expressed his sincere appreciation to the program of the USDVA and assured that management will look into it. He likewise stated the he will first seek the approval of higher authorities at DND before VMMC can push ahead with the partner-ship.

In its desire to provide members with additional knowledge and skills to empower themselves and encour-age them to have additional source oficome, the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Employees’ Cooperative (VM-MCEC), in collaboration with the Skill Power Institute Inc. (SPI)/Negoskwela successfully held an enterpreneural live-lihood seminar entitled “Scented andDecorative Candle Making Seminar” at the Fullon Hall on October 10, 2019.

The one-day seminar was orga-nized by the Education and Train-ing Committee of the VMMC Em-ployees Cooperative and attended by thirty-four (34) employees from the different departments, divisions and sections of the Medical Center.Ms. Roxanne B. Arcilla of the Negosk-wela served as Resource Speaker of the livelihood training seminar. The semi-nar consisted mainly of actual demon-stration and short lectures to enable theparticipants to quickly learn the techniques and develop skills

on how to make scented and decorative candles. Variousmaterials, tools and equipment were also made available to the participants making their hands-on training a de-lightful and gratifying experience.

During the workshop proper, the class was divided into two groups. Each group was personally mentored by Ms. Arcilla monitoring their prog-ress in every stage of candle-making. At the end of the one-day training/seminar, the finished products of the class were nicely arranged and lined up on the table in front for the appreciation of the participants and the resource person as well. Certif-icates of completion weredistribut-ed to the participants afterwards.

This livelihood seminar/training workshop was the first to be under-taken this year by the Education and Training Committee. Several training workshops are scheduled to be conducted before the year ends.

VMMC EMPLOYEES COOPERATIVESPONSORS SCENTED & DECORATIVE

CANDLE MAKING SEMINAR

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Employees, patients and guests lined up at the nutrition booth at the VMMC lobby to avail of free leaflets, give-aways and other surprises on July 1 ,2019 for the yearly celebration of Nutrition Month with the theme, “Healthy Diet, Gawing Habit – FOR LIFE. The meeting was attended by VMMC’s top officials followed by the ribbon cutting by Assistant Director Franklin Gali together with Dr. Mariano Mejia and Dr. Felicitas Soriano.

The booth aims to raise the public’s awareness and mobilize them towards reduction of malnutrition and to avoid sickness including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes in the country.

This is also the message of VMMC to its patients and employees that healthy diet means eating a variety of foods from different food groups in balance and in moderation. Most of us indulge in foods which have poor nutrition that are high in saturated fats, oil and cholesterol and do not meet their dietary energy requirements needed for the demands of productivity in school, work or home. With a healthy diet, daily energy and nutritional needs can be satisfied and thus, optimal health is ensured.

In celebration of their anniversary, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AFGO) Ladies Foundation, in coordination with the VMMC Medical Social Service, distributed twenty (20) brand new canes and various tokens to veteran patients at the VMMC main lobby on August 20, 2019.

The event was attended by Director Dominador M. Chiong Jr together with Assistant Director Franklin V. Gali and Chief, Medical Proffesional Staff Mariano A. Mejia. Also present were staff of the Medical Social Service who hosted the brief program and assisted the ladies during the distribution of the items.

The AFGO Ladies Foundation is considered by VMMC as long time “ally and friend” in uplifting the welfare and well-being of our beloved veteran and dependent patients. All these years, the foundation has been a regular donor of medical supplies and ambulatory devices to our patients.

For the purpose of having a strong and responsive procurement, VMMC organized a Suppliers’ Forum on November 4, 2019 at the Basilio Valdes Hall, VMMC Main Building.

Over 23 companies/organizations attended the forum which discussed the process of budgeting, procuring, purchasing, payment of suppliers Key offi-cials related to the procurement and contract implementation presented the process of their own offices in relation to implementation of the contract award.

VMMC Director and Head of Procuring Entity Dr. Dominador M. Chiong called for a maintained professionalism, transparency and accountability among the suppliers and contractors.

The forum also had an open forum to discuss queries and concerns of the suppliers and contractors. This is to allow a smoother conduct of public bid-dings and contract implementation

The forum was concluded by a short message of Assistant Director and BAC Chairperson Dr. Franklin V. Gali.

DISTRIBUTES CANES TO VETERAN PATIENTSAGFO OFFICIALS

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CELEBRATES

VMMC HOLDS SUPPLIERS’ FORUM

NUTRITION MONTHVMMC

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In connection with the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Department of National Defense, the Veterans Memorial Medical Center conducted a Tree Planting Activity inside the hospital compound on August 30, 2019. A total of one hundred (100) participants composed of Heads, Assistant Heads, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs of the different departments/ sections of the hospital and some VMMC employee volunteers joined the activity.

The program started at 9:00 am at the Main Lobby. Dr. Johann Mea served as the Emcee of the program while the opening remarks was delivered by VMMC Director Dr. Dominador M. Chiong Jr. Prior to the tree planting, two (2) representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a demonstration on how to plant a Guyabano seedling. During the tree-planting at the selected areas, a total of eighty (80) Guyabano seedlings were planted.

VMMC Assistant Director Franklin V. Gali officially closed the event at 10:00 am. Free T-Shirts designed by the DND organizers were distributed to the participants. Refreshments were served after the activity.

In a simple ceremony held at Ward 21, the officers and ladies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Direct Commission Class of 1971 headed by its Chairman, Police Major General/AttorneyLucas M. Managuelod and President Police Brigadier General Jose C. Bandong Jr. spearheaded the blessing, ribbon-cutting and official turn-over of the newly-renovated suites; room nos. 306, 307 and 308 last November 29, 2019. Top VMMC officials and staff led by Director Dr. Dominador M. Chiong Jr. and Assistant Director Dr. Franklin V. Gali also graced the event.

During the ceremony, General Managuelod was joined by Dr. Chiong Jr. in the symboli-cal ribbon cutting while Rever-end Father Emigdio A. Paredes officiated the blessing of the three pri-vaterooms.

Afterwards, General Bandong Jr. in his short message, gave a brief backgrounder of the Dicom Class 1971, stating the group’s mission, membership and fu-ture plans including forthcoming projects that would benefit the veter-ans.

On the other hand, General Managuelod said that the renova-tion of the rooms is a manifestation of the Class commitment to help our elderly veterans. He also conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the manage-ment of VMMC for allowing them to sponsor the renovation of the private rooms. “Ang suites na ito ay hindi lang para sa amin kundi para sa ating mga beterano rin. In our little

way ng Class 1971 ay kung maka-katulong pa kami in the near future, basta lang kung makakaya pa namin, magsabi lang kayo. You ask and it shall be given.” He said.“Thank you for accommodating our request to donate for the renovation of the three rooms.” He added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chiong expressed his sincere gratitude to Class 1971. “In behalf of the VMMC family, we would like to thank Class 71 for your donation. The rehabilitation of these private rooms is really a welcome addition to our efforts to upgrade and modernize the hospital. We are continuously upgrading, we want to upgrade including the quality of services we are giving to everyone. “Iyun po ang gusto naming ipa-abot sa inyo na susuklian po namin ito ng maganda at matapat na serbisyo” heremarked.

Also present in the event was Mr. Stephen Arabo, the contractor of the project and his wife. To date, various organizations have already poured in cash/donations for the rehabili-tation and renovation of numerous private rooms in the different hos-pital wards. PMA Magiting Class of 1971 is also planning to construct a 12 suite ward at Ward 21.

AFP DICOM CLASS OF 1971LEADS BLESSING AND TURN OVEROF SPONSORED ROOMS AT WARD-21

TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY AT THEVETERANS MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER

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Anniversary highlighted by the blessing and inauguration of the hospital’s new facilities on 19 November 2019.

Undersecretary of National Defense Cardozo M. Luna, Undersecretary for Civil Veterans and Retiree Affairs Reynaldo B. Mapagu, and Director of VMMC Doctor Dominador M. Chiong Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new VMMC Heart Institute, Stone and Prostrate Center, Ward 8, and Surgical Intensive Care Unit on the second day of their five-day anniversary celebration.

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center celebrated its 64th Founding Anniversary with the theme ”64 Taong Pagseserbisyo sa Mga Bayaning Beterano“ last November 18- 22, 2019.

The VMMC Anniversary Committee headed by Dr. Divina M. Gomez lined up a series of activities for the week-long celebration.

18 November 2019, the anniversary celebration kicked off with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Reverend Father Emigdio A. Paredes at the Ecumenical Chapel. The mass was followed by the traditional flag-raising ceremony where guests, past directors and top management officials joined hands in hoisting the flag.

Applause rushed in as Dr. Chiong announced the procurement of more than 500 hospital beds and bedside tables, and two-month supply of maintenance medicine for the veterans and patients of VMMC. He also happily reported the automation of laboratories, renovation of facilities, ISO certification of centers, and the plan of the VMMC to build a hospice center in the future.

Representing DND Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana as the guest of Honor and Speaker, Undersecretary Mapagu congratulated VMMC for their milestone. He then stressed the importance of the veterans’ mental care by appealing to VMMC and PVAO to come up with programs concerning mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Major Psychiatric Disor-ders, and Psychoneurotic Anxiety Reaction. He also asked VMMC to continue on pursuing technological advancements that can help ensure the provision of assistance and benefits to veterans and their loved ones.

Meanwhile, PVAO Administrator Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, in his speech, commended the VMMC’s Wellness Program that features a comprehensive health check-up that encourages our veterans to pursue and achieve a healthier lifestyle. In addition, the Administrator announced the construction of two veterans ward in Mindanao. The first one is in the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, and the other is in Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Misamis Oriental.

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center was established in 1955 by virtue of Public Law 865. The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Veterans Administration, provided $9.4 million for the construction of a hospital facility on the land donated by the Filipino people. The VMMC is the only hospital in the Philippines tasked to provide qual-ity hospitalization, medical care and treatment to Filipino Veterans. It offers a full range of preventive out-patient and in-patient services, free consultation, treatment, medi-cines, laboratory, diagnostic tests, and free hospitalization to eligible veterans and their dependents.

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2019 JULY - DECEMBER

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