PSPC 30th ANNUAL MEETING AND 8TH POSTGRADUATE COURSE
– Regente I. Lapak, MD
True to its mission to promote optimum cardiovascular care through continuing medical education, the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology (PSPC) in celebration of its 30th founding anniversary had its virtual 30th Annual Meeting and 8th Postgraduate Course last June 8 – 10, 2022 with the theme “Other Matters of the Heart: From Newborn to Young Adult”. The over- all chair of the convention was DR. REGENTE I. LAPAK (PSPC Secretary), co-chaired by DR. MARTHA SOCORRO M. SANTIAGO (PSPC Treasurer) and with PSPC President DR. MARIA BERNADETTE A. AZCUETA as Honorary Chair. He opening ceremonies was graced by DR. GILBERT C. VILELA (President, Philippine Heart Association) and DR. FLORENTINA TY (President, Philippine Pediatric Society).
The Scientific Committee chaired by DR. JULIET J. BALDERAS (PSPC Member of the Board) carefully planned out the scientific program with topics that caught interest of the general pediatricians and subspecialists including pediatric cardiologists. Day 1 of the convention focused on Red Flags for Cardiac Evaluation in Children, Day 2 dealt on Other Matters When Children Undergo Heart Surgery and the last day tackled on Advanced Care for Children with Heart Disease. There were 5 foreign speakers and 18 local speakers. Likewise, there were 6 industry sponsored lectures. There were a total of 600 attendees which gave excellent feedback.
Other activities during the convention included the election of the new PSPC Board for 2022 – 2023 and the PSPC Annual Business Meeting. The newly elected members of the board are DR. JUAN REGANION (President), DR. MARTHA SOCORRO SANTIAGO (Vice-President), DR. MARIA ESTRELLITA ANGELES-ALARCON (Secretary), DR. JULIET BALDERAS (Treasurer), DR. JONNIE BOTE-NUÑEZ (Board Member), and DR. MA.RONELLA FRANCISCO-MALLARI (Board Member).
The Fellowship Night (chaired by DR. JONNIE BOTE-NUÑEZ) with the theme “Bentang-Benta sa Trenta” was a virtual salu-salo fellowship gathering highlighted with the presentation of the members from 7 different regions.
We thank the Lord for the successful 30 years of existence of the society serving its members and preventing and managing heart diseases in children, realizing that each Filipino child deserves the best.