August 20, 2025
Dear Beda,
SPSA COPP( Council of Past Presidents) had a zoom meeting today to discuss the future of the Rural Surgical Outreach Program.
Summary:
1. SPSA would like to continue the rural surgery outreach program relying on PCS Sure Commission to pick the proper rural venue, general surgeon and anesthesiologist .
2. SPSA has increased the total funding of the 3-month program from $7,500.00 to $9,000.00 realizing the difficulty in recruiting candidates for the program. Enclosed in this e-mail is a proposal from Dr. Hernan Reyes shortening the operating period from 4 weeks per month to 2 weeks per month and still doing the same number of cases. Kindly give us a feed back if this is possible and if it will help in the recruitment of candidates.
3. Dr. Montero proposed that Dr. Rolly Mendiola assist in starting a laparoscopic program in Surigao del Sur. Dr. Montero is still trying contact his relative Undersecretary of Health Dr. Greg Murillo to assist us in finding a surgeon and anesthesiologist for Surigao Del Sur.
4. Dr. Barcelona reported that Dr. Robert Chacon in an e-mail communication to Dr. Barcelona indicated that besides Gubat and Irosin District, Donsol and Castilla District can also benefit from the rural surgical outreach program; however the same surgeons ( Dr. Zantua or Dr Cortes) may have have to be utilized. This will defeat the purpose of introducing new surgeons out of residency to a rural hospital setting.
Thank you for your leadership, time and attention. Let us continue to communicate and exchange ideas to achieve our common goal. Let us know if the PCS SURE Commission has any good leads.
Ed Barcelona M.D.
SPSA Treasurer
Member, Rural Surgery Outreach Program Oversight Committee