Bioethics expert, UST alumna conferred Professorial Chair in Medicine
Prof. Angeles Tan Alora, M.D., a former Dean and alumna of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (FMS), was conferred the Doña Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair in a solemn investiture held at the Dr. George SK Ty Hall of the Bl. Buenaventura García Paredes, O.P. Building on Nov. 14, 2023. The professorial chair is named after Doña Victoria Ty Tan, mother of Dr. George S.K. Ty, who founded Metrobank.
UST FMS Dean Dr. Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao said that the conferment of the Professorial Chair to a foremost specialist in bioethics and infectious diseases like Dr. Tan Alora “honors excellence in the field of medical education, celebrates the profound impact of knowledge and mentorship, and explores the insights gained from navigating ethical challenges in these unprecedented times.”
The Dean added, “May this occasion inspire continued dedication and provide lessons to shape a more ethical and resilient future.”
Metrobank Foundation executive vice president Philip Francisco Dy congratulated Dr. Tan Alora on the conferment of the Professorial Chair, which “supports UST in its endeavor to develop programs in medical education and contributes to the global competitiveness of our country’s medical practitioners.”
In her lecture “Enhancing Ethical Behavior: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Dr. Tan Alora shared insights and observations from the ongoing pandemic experience, that she hoped would help healthcare professionals to take actions that lead to “ethical comfort in doing as much good as one can, and achieve what Pope Francis tells us: ‘Be joyful, help without hesitation, and persevere’–to become better persons.”
“There is much beyond our control, and yet much more remains within our control,” emphasized Dr. Tan Alora, who warned listeners that “COVID-19 is here to stay. More will suffer from the disease and its long-term complications. Local spikes and further waves are inevitable.”
Dr. Tan Alora taught at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery for 44 years and served as the head of the Department of Medical Education.
Aside from her affiliation with the University of Santo Tomas, she is also a fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians and the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the latter of which she served as the first woman president. She also taught at UP Manila and became the Director of the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions for 5 years.
Dr. Tan Alora is the third recipient of the Doña Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair, which started in 2019. She joins the ranks of Dr. Sandra Navarra and Dr. Fidela Moreno. Upon conferment to 10 medical educators and researchers, UST and the Metrobank Foundation will publish a book containing the collated lectures/research works.
