THE ATENEO de Manila University’s School of Medicine and Public Health has formalized its partnership with Healthway Philippines, making it the school’s affiliate community clinic.

The partnership will give Ateneo’s 4th and 5th year medical students a complete supervised training during their clerkship and internship.

“This development is in line with the existing partnership between AC Health and Ateneo Professional Schools that focuses on healthcare advocacy, research, and recruitment and training,” ADMU said.

Paolo Borromeo, president and CEO of AC Health; Dr. John Paul Vergara, vice president for Ateneo Professional Schools; and Dr. Cenon Alfonso, dean of ASMPH, signed the agreement.

Also present during the signing were Paul Darroca, president and CEO of Healthway; Dr. Irene Limpo, general manager of Healthway Family Clinics; Dr. Suzanne Pama, general manager of Healthway Multi-Specialty Clinics; and Dr. Sonny Duran, Medical Affairs head of Healthway.

Borromeo said that AC Health and the Ateneo Professional Schools vow to create “an integrated healthcare ecosystem” which relies on doctors who are dynamic leaders and social catalysts.

“We are excited to welcome future Atenean doctors into Healthway and provide them opportunities to enhance their patient care advocacy, ensure their professional competence, and maximize the resources available for learning and formation, especially in this time of crisis when we need them most,” Borromeo said.

Meanwhile, Vergara stressed that the partnership will give student doctors the opportunity to obtain a quality and accessible healthcare clerkship.

“ASMPH is excited to launch this program with AC Health and to provide an opportunity for our students to train across Healthway’s clinic network. Through the years, we continue to take pride in our Atenean doctors who have served in the leadership and medical teams of AC Health’s network and are excited to open up this experience to our students,” he said.

The first batch of interns began their rotations last January in select Healthway Family and Multi-Specialty clinics.