THE SENATE adopted a resolution recognizing the contribution of the University of Santo Tomas – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery to the country’s medical and health care education.

The senators adopted Senate Resolution No. 336 citing UST-FMS’ considerable contribution to the development of medical and health care educational institutions.

The adoption of the measure coincides with the UST-FMS celebration of its 150th founding anniversary this year.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri hailed UST-FMS for training and instilling in medical learners the values of compassion and service, especially to the underprivileged Filipinos who need medical attention.

“They’ve produced a number of fine doctors and nurses that have gone all over the world to help the suffering humanity… and not only that, we consider UST as one of the top four universities. Whenever you talk about the top university of the Philippines, UST is always included in the top four,” Zubiri said.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, who is an alumnus and athletic scholar of UST from high school to college, thanked Zubiri for initiating the resolution.

“I muse on the thought of how long 150 years is… reaching this milestone must have been ecstatic, not only for the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery but to the entire Thomasian community worldwide,” Villanueva said.

Meanwhile, Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada, Christopher “Bong” Go, and Grace Poe hailed the milestones of UST-FMS.

UST-FMS was founded on May 28, 1872, making it the oldest existing Catholic medical school in the country. Since its establishment, it has been considered one of the five top performing medical schools in the country, contributing more than 400 physicians annually and consistently topping the medical board examinations.

In 2021, the UST emerged as the second top performing school in physician licensure examination administered by the Professional Regulation Commission.

The UST-FMS also produced several secretaries of Health and several presidents of the Philippine Medical Association.

The UST-FMS was the only Asian school to be in the top 10 list of foreign medical institutions by the US Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates in 2007.