Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 4:00 pm EST

                                                        MINUTES

Presiding: Dr. H. Reyes

1. Roll Call:

Attendees: Dr. H. Reyes, A. Donato, B. Ignacio, P. Chua, D. Alvear, F. Velcek, D. Fabito, C. Calica, R. Cordero, E. Barcelona, P. Dorado, H. Cruz.

Excused: Drs. A. Mabini and E. Gamboa

• Chairman’s Report:

Dr. Reyes welcomed everyone and thank them for attending the meeting. Recognizing that the prospect of recruiting new and younger members to the Society is no longer realistic, he recommended that a projected timeline should be decided by the Council regarding the two programs of the Society, in re: Annual SPSA Surgical Mission to the  Philippines and the recently completed Rural Surgery Outreach pilot program, a newly initiated partnership between SPSA and PCS Sure Commission held at the. He suggested that the Council consider a 3 to 5 years plan for these programs.

He further reported on the activities of the SPSA-PCS Sure Commission Rural Surgery Outreach Program held for three months, March to May, 2023 at the Gubat District Hospital, one of 8 District Hospitals in the Province of Sorsogon and together with the Provincial Hospital provides Government funded health care to the community. The final report submitted by Dr. Beda Espineda, Director, PCS Sure Commission suggest that the program was a success and the goal of the program was achieved in providing free surgical care to unmet needs of the community. My own review of the 34- page report suggest that there has been an exponential increase in the number of cases operated upon at the Gubat District Hospital during this time period as compared to the 7 other District Hospitals and was 2^nd in volume to that performed at the Provincial Hospital, the tertiary healthcare facility in the Province (see page 14 of the report, copies of which is attached).

Following a constructive discussion, a consensus was arrived to support funding the SPSA-PCS Sure Commission Rural Surgery Outreach Program for the next  three to five years; two programs a year in separate venues, each for a period of three months funded at the current level of funding for each program requiring a total budget of $15,000.00 annually. Support for the program will be from donations solicited from the membership and from US based Fil-Am organizations especially medical  alumni associations. Dr. Fabito recommended that each COPP member pledge a tax-deductible donation of $500.00 (five hundred dollars) annually for the duration of the program. Dr. R. Cordero indicated that he will get in touch with the President of the USTMAAAF and Dr. Reyes will follow-up on his discussions with Dr. Jay Seldera, President, UERMMMAI. Dr. Alvear reiterated his previous suggestions to tap the Social Media for donations.

Dr. Reyes will remain as Chair of the SPSA Oversight Committee, SPSA-PCS Sure Commission Rural Surgery Outreach Program with Dr. Honorio M. Cruz as member. All of the above recommendations were unanimously approved by the Council members present.

• Executive Director’s Report:

Dr. Fabito informed the group that he has 2 books left of the Golden Anniversary book and reported on the donations made by various members of the Society to the printing of both this book and the Golden Anniversary Supplement. He also indicated that the PAAN sponsored surgical mission to Nueva Ecija this coming January will be his last after having done this for close to half a century and while in the Philippines he in his role as Executive Director of the Society together with Dr. H. Cruz, Past President and member of the Oversight Committee of the Rural Surgery Outreach program will arrange to meet with Dr. Beda Espineda and other officers of the PCS regarding our partnership program.

• Treasurer and Surgical Mission Report:

Dr. Barcelona reported that the current total funds of the Society is $60,280 deposited in two separate accounts. Recognizing that the majority of the members who participated in the SPSA missions are no longer in active clinical practice, he informed the Council that the SPSA mission to the Philippines to be held in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on January 22 – 29, 2024 will be the last SPSA Surgical Mission to the Philippines which started in 1985 led by Drs. Mel Simon and Daniel Fabito, held annually ever since and interrupted only by the COVID Pandemic. Those who wish to continue this activity should join other organizations conducting missions to the country. He and his  Co-Chair, Dr. Rolly Mendiola are currently in the process of organizing the mission to Eastern Samar.

• CBL Committee Report:

Dr. Ignacio suggested that a Nominating Committee be appointed to make a recommendation for President of the Society. The Council was informed that two members of the Society were solicited for this position but turned down the offer for having other commitments this year. In effect, the Chairman of the COPP will be the Executive officer of the Society as proscribed by the amendments to the CBL of our Society. Dr. Fabito recommended that the transition for the office will take place on the 1^st of January each year. Based on our By-Laws, Dr. Bayani Ignacio will take over the Chairmanship of COPP on January 1, 2024.

• Membership:

Dr. Gamboa’s email informed me that he is still looking into the two possible programs he previously recommended: Organize a Podcast and an Emergency Response Team for International disasters.

• Convention Chairman:

Dr. Philip Chua successfully negotiated a reduced bill from Caesar’s Palace for  the balance of due to the Hotel as a result of cancelled hotel rooms.

• Website:

Dr. Cruz requested news from the membership. The fee for the website has been paid.

• Old Business: None

1. New Business: Dr. Domingo Alvear will represent SPSA during the Awards ceremony honoring the two participants who participated in the SPSA-PCS Sure Commission Rural Surgery Outreach Program to be held during the annual convention of the Philippine College of Surgeons in Manila, Philippines in early December, 2023. The two awardees are: Dr. Fritz Banzuelo General Surgeon and Dr. Jonathan Zantua, Anesthesiologist.

1. Motion to adjourn was approved. Adjourned at 6:30 pm. EST

Submitted by: Hernan M. Reyes, MD,  June 30, 2023.