OUR HISTORY

1970
PSMID is born

It all began with twelve pioneers, who in 1970 started a series of discussions after an initial meeting at the Swiss Inn in Paco, Manila. These leading infectious disease specialists and practitioners at that time saw the need for an organization dedicated to the study of infectious diseases in the…Read More

1972
PSMID formally organized
PSMID formally organized

On 27 January 1972, the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Disease (PSMID) was formally organized with the induction of the first set of officers were inducted by then Health Secretary Clemente Gatmaitan.  Inducted were Drs. Elpidio Gamboa (President-1972-1973); Lourdes E.  Campos (Vice-President); Ernesto Valdez (Business Manager); Pedro Chanco; Antonio…Read More

1978
Growth

The years 1973-1978 saw the considerable growth in membership with the Society’s focus on CME and the establishment of professional standards. The PSMID Specialty Board was created and the Philippine Journal of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases was launched. Post-graduate courses were initiated by Dr. Cesar Uylangco (1974-1975) in collaboration with…Read More

1979
Strengthening research
Strengthening research

Research was highlighted in the following years beginning with Dr. Luis Mayo-Lao’s (1979-1980) establishment of the PSMID-United Research Paper Contest. Under the stewardship of Dr. Urbano Mendoza (1981-1982) and Dr. Angeles Tan-Alora (1983-1984), the Society’s expanding scientific activities and post-graduate courses continued unabated.

1985
International linkages
International linkages

Building further from the achievements of his predecessors, Dr. Benjamin Limson (1985-1986) added more impetus to research with the PSMID-Roche Award, and started international exchange of ideas during the 9th Annual Convention in 1986, when Asian leaders of infectious diseases and microbiology formed the short-lived Asian Federation of Medical Microbiology…Read More

1989
Tackling public health issues
Tackling public health issues

1989 saw the PSMID tackle issues of clinical importance. The President, Dr. Mediadora Saniel (1989) created working committees such as the Antibiotic Task Force and the Infection Control Committee. This in turn set the foundation for the Society’s later ventures towards establishing practice standards, and on policy positions related to…Read More

1994
Western Pacific Congress on Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases (WPCCID)
Western Pacific Congress on Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases (WPCCID)

In 1992, Dr. Alberto Gabriel (1992-1993) took office, consolidating the gains of the previous years. PSMID was given the privilege to host the 4th Western Pacific Congress on Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases (WPCCID) in 1994 with Dr. Thelma Tupasi as Congress President. This meeting was dubbed “Event of the Year”…Read More

1996
Instituting clinical practice guidelines

The incumbency of Dr. Julius A. Lecciones (1995-1996) sought to build upon the gains of the Society achieved thus far. Looking back at this Congress, he noted, “It is not so much what we can achieve individually, but what and how we accomplish together. And to succeed, there is no…Read More

2000
Internal reengineering
Internal reengineering

With the organization’s internal reengineering, PSMID evolved into a stronger organization with the institution of programs that benefited fellows in training. Thus, Dr. Remedios Coronel (2000-2001) established regular CPC meetings hosted by different training institutions during the year, culminating in the Star Quiz during the annual convention when fellows from…Read More

2003
Campaign vs. emerging infections
Campaign vs. emerging infections

Under the leadership of Dr. Jaime C. Montoya (2003-2004) PSMID was at the forefront in the campaign against SARS with its strategic programs in influenza and other emerging infections. In support of national information campaigns, the chapters hosted symposia during the annual convention. Likewise, through a strategic partnership with Manila…Read More

2005
24th International Congress on Chemotherapy (ICC)
24th International Congress on Chemotherapy (ICC)

Another major milestone was achieved in 2005 with PSMID’s hosting of the 24th International Congress on Chemotherapy (ICC) in Manila, the very first time that ICC was held in a developing country. Dr. Evelina Lagamayo (2005-2006) presided over this realization of the Society’s dream, which began with the unrelenting efforts…Read More

2006
New PSMID building
New PSMID building

PSMID Headquarters, used to be a residential bungalow office, had now become a 3 storey building in 2006, a long-awaited dream of the previous officers, was materialized also under the incumbency of Dr. Evelina N. Lagamayo (2005-2006). To date, PSMID has its own 3 storey building: the ground floor is…Read More

2008
Constitutional transformation and standardization

The leadership of Dr. Cecilia Montalban in 2008 has been painted with so much constitutional transformations and standardization. For the first time, the conduct of the Specialty Board examination has been institutionalized and amendments of the constitution and by-laws was eventually approved after the proxy votes had been practiced. It…Read More

2009
Pursuing heightened advocacy programs

Board of Councils 2009 In 2009, the country experienced the first ever NCR-wide outbreak of leptospirosis due to typhoon Ondoy. With Dr. Manolito Chua in lead, PSMID created the Leptospirosis guideline that specifically addressed the issues on its treatment, prevention and managing its complications. This year…Read More

2011
Further pursuit to standardize the management of important infections in the country

Board of Councils 2011 In 2011, under the leadership of Dr. Rontgene M. Solante, additional subcommittees have been created that was approved unanimously by the Board of Councils such as Influenza, Invasive Fungal Disease, HIV, Tetanus and Typhoid Fever. Together with the existing clinical practice guideline…Read More

2015
Revisiting the Mission-Vision and Action Plans

Board of Councils 2015 In subsequent years, several educational workshops headed by Dr. Marie Yvette C. Barez were conducted to boost the Society’s advocacy on rational antibiotic use. During her term in 2015, the vision-mission statements of PSMID were revisited, along with its management action plan…Read More

2016
Strengthening involvement in issues of public health importance

From 2016-2017, under the direction of Dr. Mari Rose delos Reyes, PSMID continued to pursue its on-going activities and embarked on new undertakings particularly in strengthening the society’s involvement in issues  of public health importance. A collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) was done to establish additional private HIV…Read More

2018
Furthering programs and public communication

Board of Councils 2018 Dr. Mario Panaligan intensified the character of PSMID, building its mark and recognition by many Filipinos, through the dissemination of facts, figures and essential information.  The Information Technology (IT) committee was enhanced, going digital in 2018, with frequent exposures in the Social…Read More

2020
Continuing to soar

Indeed, PSMID has gone a long way and from its humble beginnings find inspiration in the achievements of the present. As it gets stronger and explores new territories, it finds itself conquering more untempered horizons in both the national and international arena. As it continues to soar, PSMID remained committed…Read More