The proposed College of Medicine (COM) cleared a crucial hurdle when members of the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT), after a visit on Feb. 24, finally endorsed to CHED its formal opening on the first semester of AY 2014-2015.

Led by Dr. Kristal Mendoza and Dr. Pacita Apilado, the RQAT team was deployed in the main campus to check the quality of the proposed offering based on policies, guidelines, and standards set by CHED.

It is recalled that MMSU President Miriam E. Pascua announced the formal opening of the college during the thanksgiving program tendered by CHS for its board examination passers held at the Covered Court, Jan, 27.

The President’s announcement was seen as a victory for those who have long petitioned for the medical school’s opening. Proponents in the university were backed by statistical data showing an evident shortage of doctors in the rural areas, which shed light on the need for a fourth medical school in the Ilocos Region.

In her congratulatory speech addressed to the successful passers in pharmacy and nursing licensure examinations, the president challenged the graduates to enroll in the new program and even promised nurse board exam fourth placer Dharlene Abbygale G. Agullana an entrance scholarship once she decides to enroll.

Prof. Ryan Dean Sucgang, designated college secretary, said veteran physicians Joven Cuanang and Marietta Baccay will serve as administrative consultants prior to the appointment of a full time dean. Dr. Cuanang, who is now chairman of the board of St. Luke’s College of Medicine, retired in December as medical director of the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and Makati Global City. He is one of the country’s top neurologists. Baccay, a pathologist, is chair of the Board of Medical Technology of the Professional Regulation Commission. Meanwhile, a committee is currently screening prospective faculty members for the college.

The COM will occupy the University Training Center as its temporary shelter while waiting for the construction of a new building located at a lot currently occupied by the University Motor Pool. With the P40-M building commencing construction this year, the motor pool will be transferred to the CETC.

Since the college will open in June, university officials are trying to expedite arrangements and mechanisms. Negotiations with the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center leadership are underway regarding additional faculty members and clinical programs.

Aspiring medicine students can start taking up biology or other allied courses offered in the university in preparation for this new degree program. For those who have graduated, they should pass first the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) for them to qualify to enroll this year.

Cut-off percentile for NMAT variesby school. For some universities, it ranges from 35 percent to as high as 90 percent. The Ateneo de Manila Medical School, for instance, requires 80 percent while its Zamboanga campus accepts students regardless of their rating. Other schools such as St. Louis University and Far Eastern University demand 35 percent and 40 percent cut-off scores, respectively. The University of the Philippines College of Medicine sets it at 90 percent. At MMSU, it will be 85 percent. According to Dr. Cuanang, setting a higher NMAT percentile requirement would result in a 100 percent passing probability in the Physician Licensure Examination. Applicants will also have to undergo an interview.

For the meantime, only 25 enrollees will be admitted in the college as its pioneer batch. According to President Pascua, many of them will possibly be under scholarship as various local government units in Ilocos Norte have pledged to sponsor at least one medical student from their city or municipality.

Records reveal a shortage of between three and four million jobs in the health industry worldwide. Hence, MMSU officials and a coalition of community supporters in IlocosNorte have long been pushing for a medical school in the province to deal with an increasing shortage of doctors and specialists in the country.

At present, Region I has three medical schools: Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation and Lyceum Northwestern University, both private schools in Pangasinan; and the University of Northern Philippines, a state university in Vigan City. (With a report from Herdy La. Yumul)