By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

In another boost to its medical education and external linkages, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has partnered with the Healthcare Executives Society of the Philippines (HESP) for the offering of Master in Healthcare Management (MHCM). 

This partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and HESP President Reynaldo A. De Ungria today, April 17, at the University Center for Flexible Learning. 

The MHCM program will focus on developing the management capabilities of healthcare professionals. It will be offered in the first semester of Academic Year 2023-2024 by the MMSU Graduate School (GS) in partnership with the College of Medicine (COM). 

As stipulated in the agreement, MMSU will be responsible in securing the necessary regulatory requirements for the offering of the program. For its part, the HESP will take charge in crafting the graduate program’s curriculum, course contents and syllabi, in collaboration with MMSU. It will also provide all the needed qualified faculty to teach the program. 

President Agrupis thanked the HESP for partnering with MMSU in offering the master’s degree, saying its offering is the university’s contribution to strengthen the Philippine healthcare system and respond to the needs of the healthcare industry. 

HESP President De Ungria said the non-profit organization commits to help MMSU deliver quality, having said, “We foresee this dynamic partnership to flourish and become stronger as we are one with MMSU in its vision, mission, and 7-point agenda.” 

The MOA signing was witnessed by HESP officials, MMSU administrators and medicine faculty members, and representatives from the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center and Gaoat General Hospital in Batac, Dingras District Hospital, and the Municipal Health Office in Currimao. 

COM Dean Policarpio Joves shared that MMSU partnered with the private organization because it has produced competent graduates who manage healthcare facilities all over the country. He said HESP is inclined in advancing the practice of healthcare facilities management through continuous learning and training, technical support and consultancy, and professional regulation. 

GS Dean Doreen Domingo said the MHCM program is composed of 12 subjects, totaling 36 units. Applicants for this course must be a holder of any bachelor’s degree relevant to the course. An applicant whose degree is not in line with the program may still be admitted but is required to take bridging or prerequisite courses. 

To apply, aspiring students must submit application forms, original transcript of records and transfer credentials, authenticated birth certificate, and medical certificate to the GS. Applicants must have a general weighted average of 2.5 or better and must pass the interview with the program chair. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)