The Medical City Launches CASSTI

The Medical City’s state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary surgical training center, CASSTI, was officially launched on September 12, 2014.

CASSTI which stands for Center for Advanced Skills, Simulation and Training Innovation aims to provide surgical expertise and the ideal environment for skills acquisition for healthcare professionals.

Present during the launch were TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon, TMC Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento, SVP for Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, SVP for Patient Services Group Virginia B. Alano, SVP for Finance and Administrative Services Benita J. Macalagay, CASSTI consultant-director Dr. Deo Reyes, Vice President for Professional Staff Development Office Dr. Blesilda E. Concepcion, Head of the Department of Surgery Dr. Jose Antonio Salud and esteemed guest Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri.

Prof. Cuschieri is a world-wide authority in minimal access surgery. He is Professor of Surgery at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa Italy and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Institute of Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT), Universities of Dundee and St Andrews, Scotland. Prof. Cuschieri is a member of CASSTI’s international advisory committee.

The launch coincided with the opening ceremony of the 1st Post-Graduate Surgical Course Cutting Specialties: A Paradigm Shift in Training and Skills Acquisition. The event started with the blessing rites and tour of the facility in CASSTI followed by a short launch program at the Augusto Barcelon auditorium.
Also present during CASSTI’s formal opening were participants of the post grad course, heads of various medical societies, TMC doctors, managers, medical and non-medical staff and other guests. Dr. Cecilia Vicencio, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dr. Vincent Ocampo from the Department of Surgery were the masters of ceremonies.

CASSTI is located at the lower ground of The Medical City in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. For the list of courses and other inquiries, you may call 988-1000 or 988-7000 ext. 6801.

 
TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon, CASSTI Consultant-Director Dr. Deogracias G. Reyes, Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri, Senior Vice President for Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, TMC Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento, and Dr. Jose Antonio M. Salud, Chairman of the Department of Surgery

Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri (middle) is holding KOH needle drivers used for laparoscopic suturing. With him are (from left) CASSTI Consultant-Director Dr. Deogracias G. Reyes, TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon, TMC Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento, Senior Vice President for Medical Services Group Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, and Vice President for Professional Staff Development Office Dr. Blesilda E. Concepcion.

Prof. Sir Alfred Cuschieri holds a Cuschieri Liver retractor that he himself designed.