The Henry Sy Foundation and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (FMS) inaugurated the Henry Sy Sr. Hall on September 28, 2024 at the university’s Manila campus.
Completed in collaboration with Anargyroi: FMS Foundation Inc., FMS Alumni Associations, and other benefactors, this seven-storey building is designed to serve as a center for simulation-based medical education, interactive student-centered learning, collaborative multidisciplinary research, and interprofessional education. The state-of-the-art facility also houses the Saints Cosmas and Damian Medical Simulation and Research Center.
The Henry Sy Sr. Hall champions the vision of SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr. who believed in empowering the youth through education and fostering a culture of achievement and excellence in the country.
“Throughout Mr. Sy’s life, he believed in the power of learning and the role it played in building a brighter future. Today, this hall embodies that belief, serving as a beacon of excellence for medical education and research, not just for UST but for the entire nation,” Henry Sy Foundation executive director Dr. Lydia Echauz said.
“By investing in infrastructure that enhances learning, we hope to empower future doctors and medical professionals to be well prepared to face the challenges of an ever-evolving health care landscape. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of promoting academic excellence and ensuring that the Philippines remains in the forefront of global medical education,” Echauz added.
From hands-on learning to competitive medical practice
The building features cutting-edge technology to help medical students hone their skills and prepare for the high-stakes environment of health care. Through simulation, learners can replicate complex, real-life scenarios in a controlled environment, ensuring patient safety while enabling repeated practice and learning from mistakes. This hands-on training method allows students to develop empathy, adaptability, and resilience, critical skills for their future roles in medicine.
The Henry Sy Sr. Hall’s simulation center integrates its simulation-based learning into the curriculum. The facility includes fully equipped simulated emergency rooms, surgical suites, delivery rooms, adult and pediatric intensive care units, medical and pediatric wards, and consultation rooms.
“We stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation where the timeless values of healing, compassion, and service to others meet the cutting-edge advancements of modern medicine. The center for simulation in research is the beating heart of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall,” UST-FMS Dean Assoc. Prof. Ma. Lourdes Maglinao said.
Each space is outfitted with advanced medical mannequins and interconnected audio-visual systems, enabling faculty to monitor and modify scenarios according to the complexity of medical cases. Control rooms and debriefing areas offer real-time observation and playback capabilities, allowing students to assess their performance and learn from their experiences.
Its extended-hours study area provides students with a safe and secure environment, offering an alternative to off-campus locations.
In addition to its role as a learning center, Dr. Maglinao shared that the Henry Sy Sr. Hall will also serve as a venue for international scientific conferences, skills training, and workshops. It is expected to become a hub for student-centered learning and collaborative research, where faculty and students from various health-related disciplines can come together to deepen their engagement through interprofessional education.
The facility also includes coaching and mentoring areas to provide mental and academic support for students, particularly those facing high academic demands. With its focus on collaboration, the Henry Sy Sr. Hall is envisioned to be a place where medical breakthroughs are made, and where educators, researchers, and clinicians work together toward common goals in the pursuit of advancements in medicine to better serve communities.
“The Henry Sy Sr. Hall aims to provide a robust ultrasound hands-on experience, fulfilling our vision to be a pioneering Southeast Asian center for integrated ultrasound for primary care physicians. This will equip our medical graduates with the skills to provide quality health care even in the underserved areas of our country,” she capped.
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