DID SOMEONE SAY, “DESTINATION POSTGRAD?” G!
By Dr. Patricia Anne C. Concepcion
Last August 10, 2024, ophthalmologists, residents, and general physicians who dream of becoming eye doctors, from Region 1 and across the country, headed to the Surfing Capital of the North to attend the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) Department of Ophthalmology’s inaugural postgraduate course entitled, “Surfing the Next Level: Advanced Cataract Surgery Essentials for the General Ophthalmologist,” held at Awesome Hotel, San Juan, La Union. A total of 92 participants were in attendance.
The event kicked off with opening remarks by the department chair, Dr. Charisse Ann Tanlapco, followed by a video message from the ITRMC Medical Center Chief, Dr. Eduardo Badua III. The ball kept rolling by the energetic hosts, Dr. Mary Ellaine Diaz and Dr. Charles Angelo Young.
Renowned cataract and refractive surgeons were invited to share their insights and expertise on advanced cataract surgery. Being true to theme, the lectures were titled and related to surfing terms. Starting with Dr. Carlo Leandro Igama, with his lecture entitled, “Prepare to Paddle Out: Optimizing the Ocular Surface Before Cataract Surgery.” This was followed by Dr. Raymond Nelson Regalado, Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) Vice President, who talked on “Threading the Needle: Choosing the Best Presbyopia-Correcting IOL”. The third speaker was none other than the president PAO herself, Dr. Mary Ellen Sy, with a lecture on “Riding Your Perfect 10 Wave: Pearls in Toric IOL Insertion.” Lastly, Dr. Reginald Robert Tan spoke on “Shorebreak! Managing Post-Operative Surprises.”
Industry sponsors also invited experts including Dr. Jessica Marie Abaño, a past PAO president, Dr. Manolette Roque, Dr. Sharlene Noguera, and Dr. Benjamin Cabrera, to share experiences with their cataract surgery-related products.
To cap off the event, Dr. Mary Arsenia Mondiguing, president of the PAO Northwestern Luzon Chapter, gave her closing remarks and thanked everyone who travelled to La Union despite the inclement weather. And what better way to express gratitude to the audience than giving away raffle prizes?! Lucky participants got eyedrops and gift certificates, two luckier winners received Apple AirPods, and the luckiest of them all,- a resident from Metro Manila- won an Apple iPad, making all the travel and time spent really worth it.
The postgraduate course was spearheaded by Dr. Mondiguing, head of the Cataract Service of the department. In response to the continuous evolution of intraocular lenses and cataract surgery techniques, the course was organized to provide a venue for general ophthalmologists to enhance their knowledge and proficiency in cataract surgery and stay updated on current trends. The event wouldn’t be successful without the efforts as well of the dynamic organizing committee: Dr. Charisse Ann Tanlapco and Dr. Richmond Siazon for sponsorship and finance, Dr. Chester Pataray and Dr. Ruth Peña for the scientific program and tokens, Dr. Patricia Anne Concepcion for publicity and promotions, Dr. Mary Ellaine Diaz for registrations, Dr. Ian Ben Batcagan for continuing education, Dr. Elijah Justienne Dauz and Dr. Ma. Katrina Tolentino-Torres for physical arrangements, and the residents and support staff of the department.
Dr. Mary Arsenia Mondiguing and Dr. Charisse Ann Tanlapco award the guest speakers with plaques and tokens of appreciation.
About the author: Dr. Patricia Anne Concepcion completed her ophthalmology residency and glaucoma fellowship at the Philippine General Hospital. She is currently the training officer and an active glaucoma consultant at the ITRMC Department of Ophthalmology.
