Four doctors take oath as pioneer faculty members of VSU College of Medicine

Visayas State University (VSU) formally introduced the medical doctors who will serve as pioneer faculty members of its planned College of Medicine (VSU-COM). The oathtaking took place during the opening program of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary on September 8, 2025 (Monday).

In her message, VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes thanked the physicians for choosing to be part of the university.

“We are grateful that these distinguished doctors have chosen to work with us as we prepare for the College of Medicine. Their presence strengthens our vision of providing accessible and excellent medical education here in Eastern Visayas,” President Yepes said.

The pioneer medical doctors of VSU-COM

Dr. Roxanne S. Jayme-Bongon has been designated as the consultant and now the Dean for VSU-COM. She was formerly the head of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and a faculty member at the University of Cebu School of Medicine, as well as a faculty member at the Cebu Institute of Medicine. With her extensive experience in teaching and academic leadership, she has made significant contributions to the field of medical education and training. She likewise served as Quality Management Representative for its Overseas Workers and Seafarers Center.

She is a licensed physician and nutritionist-dietitian, with a Doctor of Medicine from Cebu Institute of Medicine, and a bachelor's degree in Community Nutrition from UP Diliman. She is currently finishing her graduate studies (ongoing thesis)  in Health Professions Education at Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan. Dr. Bongon is also certified by the Norwegian Maritime Authority as an approved seafarer’s doctor, which allows her to provide medical clearances to maritime workers.

Beyond her administrative roles, she practices family medicine at St. Vincent General Hospital in Cebu City and at the University of Cebu Medical Center – UCMed. Her professional affiliations include the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, the Philippine Association of Academic Biochemists, and the Philippine Medical Association.

Dr. Silverio B. Arcamo, Jr., fondly called by his peers as “Dr. Silver”, is a general surgeon based in Ormoc City with specialties in general, laparoscopic, and cancer surgery. He practices at Ormoc Doctors’ Hospital and Clinica Gatchalian, where he provides a wide range of surgical services to the community.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines–School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte, Dr. Arcamo completed both his Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Doctor of Medicine degrees at the institution, finishing his MD in 2004. He pursued his residency training in General Surgery at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center, which he completed in 2009, and later took up graduate studies in business administration with a focus on hospital management.

He is a diplomate of the Philippine Board of Surgery and a fellow of several national and international organizations, including the Philippine College of Surgeons, the Philippine Society of General Surgeons, the Philippine Association of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. 

Dr. Judith P. Sanico is an internist-pulmonologist based in Ormoc City and has served as the Head of the Pulmonary Section at OSPA Farmers Medical Center since 2009. She also leads the hospital’s Department of Internal Medicine Research Committee. 

A graduate of Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree and later pursued her fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at the Philippine General Hospital, where she served as Chief Fellow. She is also a Registered Pharmacist.

Dr. Sanico is a fellow and diplomate of the Philippine College of Physicians and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, with affiliations to international respiratory societies such as the American Thoracic Society, the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, and the European Respiratory Society. She also maintains consultancy work with Ormoc Doctors’ Hospital and Gatchalian Medical Center, while remaining deeply involved in public health initiatives. 

Over the years, she has organized and participated in TB programs, medical missions, community health lectures, and training workshops across Leyte. In recognition of her contributions, she received the 2025 PRIME Award for Medicine from the UP Cebu BS Biology Program.

Dr. Karina P. Lapinid is an internist specializing in diabetology with additional expertise in occupational health medicine. She is a diplomate and fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians, a member of the Philippine Society of Diabetologists, and a member of Diabetes Philippines. 

She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Cebu Institute of Medicine and completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at Visayas Community Medical Center. To advance her subspecialty training, she pursued a master’s degree in Internal Medicine major in Diabetology at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center-Institute for Studies in Diabetes Foundation.

Since 2017, Dr. Lapinid has served as a consultant at OSPA Farmers Medical Center, Ormoc Doctors Hospital, and Gatchalian Medical Center. Her teaching background includes faculty work at the Cebu Institute of Medicine and the University of Cebu School of Medicine, where she also served as Section Head for Physical Diagnosis.

President Yepes had earlier announced during her second State of the University Address that VSU had already submitted all necessary documents required by CHED policies, standards, and guidelines for the offering of the Doctor of Medicine program hopefully to start next academic year, which is pending feedback and approval.

With the oath-taking of these four pioneer medical doctors, the university moves closer to its goal of establishing the VSU College of Medicine and offering quality medical education in Eastern Visayas.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 4: Quality Education, and; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

• Next