Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) Western Pacific Regional Conference 2024 and 73rd Philippine Medical Women’s Association (PMWA) Annual Convention – held in Cebu, Philippines from July 11 to 13, 2024.
Drs Gabrielle Casper, Marjorie Cross, Marissa Daniels, Magdalena Simonis and Desiree Yap travelled to Cebu, Philippines to participate in the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) Western Pacific Region’s (WPR) Triennial Conference 2024. The Theme was “Empowering Women in Medical Education & Leadership”.
The purpose of the conference was to facilitate opportunities to explore innovative ideas, share experiences, and to foster meaningful connections in order to increase the regional capacity in the areas of medical education and leadership for women doctors.
Our hosts were the Philippines Medical Women’s Association (PMWA), a National Association of women physicians dedicated in developing the members through the examples of its leadership, spearheading ways and means toward the upliftment of service to the profession, members and the community.
Apart from the excellent program, this conference was an opportunity to see in person old friends (and many met virtually during the COVID pandemic!) and to meet new ones. It was also an opportunity to see the Island and City of Cebu. Cebu City is known as the “Queen City of the South.” It is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and adventure in the Philippines. Its rich heritage dates back to the Spanish colonial era, which is evident in its colonial-era churches, bustling markets, and winding streets. At the same time Cebu City is a dynamic urban centre with a diverse economy, bustling with commerce, trade, and tourism.
Over the next few weeks I hope you will get to read about all the exciting presentations we experienced. .
Convention Programme Highlights
The first 3 lectures were outstanding and I am proud to say that our own Dr Marissa Daniels presented in the first session: Young MWIA: Preparing the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Medicine.
She followed excellent presentations on:
Real World Evidence of Health Systems among Member Countries: Where are We Now?
Manuel Dayrit, MD
Professor, Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation
‘…He was Secretary of Health (Minister) of the Philippines from 2001 to 2005 when the Department of Health (DOH) was recognized for its effective implementation of disease control programs (including for SARS, dengue, tuberculosis, and vaccine-derived polio); the implementation of the health sector reform agenda which included widening the use of generic medicines; and the broadening of access to social insurance (PhilHealth) by indigents. Under his leadership, the DOH was cited among the top-performing government agencies. From 2005 to 2012, he was Director of the Department of Human Resources for Health at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. ’
The First 1000 Days: Public Health Strategies
Strengthening the First 1000 Days: The Maternal Perspective
Raul Quillamor, MD
President, National Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP), 2009-2010
President, Philippine Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, 2007
Strengthening the First 1000 Days: Wholistic Infant Care
Ma. Asuncion Silvestre, MD
‘A renowned advocate for mother and newborn health care, Dr. Maria Asuncion Silvestre, has made history as she became the first Filipino laureate of the esteemed United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize awarded by the World Health Organization.’
Her career story in an interview held in the run up to world breast feeding week in August 1 2023 .
Dr Marjorie Cross was a panel member in Panel Discussion 1
Mentorship for Women in Medicine
- Marjorie Cross, MBBS (Australia)
- Cissy Yu, MBBS (Hong Kong)
- Ma. Minerva Calimag, MD (Philippines)
- Bong Ok Kim, MD (South Korea)
- Yoshiko Maeda, MD (Moderator)
Dr Magdalena Simonis was a panel member for Panel Discussion 2
Empowered Voices in Medicine :Women Leading Change
- Victoria Wong, MBBS (Hong Kong)
- Deborah Shin, MD (South Korea)
- Magdalena Simonis, MD, MBBS (Australia)
- Ching-Yi Lin, M.D., PhD. (Taiwan)
- Monina Cristina Cabral, MD (Moderator)
And a lecture was presented by Dr Desiree Yap on Gender Disparities in Healthcare.
Award received
In terms of recognition, Professor Gabrielle Casper was conferred the Korean Medical Women’s Association Kyung Ah Park Award for service to the region.
Social Events!
The highlight of the Conference Social Calendar was the ‘FELLOWSHIP NIGHT – BARRIO FIESTA’.
Unfortunately, as Australians we were unprepared for a ‘National Dress’ display nor had we prepared a ‘Cultural presentation’ (we were treated to talented performances of choreographed dance and song by troupes of medical women grouped by their Chapters (Philippines) or Nations), however Dr Magdalena Simonis made up for this oversight with her singing with the Band (Abba unites us all, right?)
Needless to say we were also not well represented at the Demonstration workshop: Women Physicians Talent Presentation!
Fortunately Drs Simonis and Daniels made up for our lack with enthusiastic participation! (Photos may follow in a future e-bulletin edition!)
A little sight-seeing
Some of us had time to visit Cebu’s historical landmarks and our hosts ensured we experienced its culinary delights. We all experienced enough to want to visit again!
Whilst we didn’t have a lot of time for diving into its famous crystal-clear waters or for island hopping, Dr Magdalena Simonis in an exquisite example of her organisation capacity, had Dr Marjorie Cross and myself booked into a ‘booked-out tour’ so we could marvel at the whale sharks in Oslob. This required us to be awake and on our way at 03:30 am (as the tour runs on whale-Shark time not human time! No Jet-lag allowed!)!
The following photos give a taste of adventures away from the conference.
Informal dining …
And then there were the dinners generously hosted by the over-all conference Chair Dr Vivina Chiu (President PMWA and Paediatric nephologist in her spare time!):
Submitted by
Dr Desiree Yap, Delegate
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