Continuing the legacy of caring

MANILA, Philippines - Over six decades ago, the founder and first president of the Far Eastern University (FEU), Dr. Nicanor Reyes, envisioned a non-sectarian educational institution that will be dedicated to nation-building through the pursuit of excellence in medical education, quality and affordable healthcare services, and innovative research. In 1952, his vision materialized through the establishment of the FEU Institute of Medicine.

According to Richie Reyes, director for strategic planning FEU-NRMF, “the Institute was rooted in taking care of the community. Our raison d’être is to ensure the well-being of our neighbors as well as to produce holistic healthcare professionals.”

The medical school was initially nestled on the third and seventh floors of the Science Building of the university. Shortly after, the institute made way for another branch of training, specifically in health science, and admitted its first batch of students in the School of Medical Technology in 1962.

In 1971, the institute of medicine and the hospital were converted into a non-stock, non-profit educational foundation, thus becoming known as the FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation or FEU-NRMF.

As a testament of the institute’s brewing excellence, the Board of Medical Education, the Department of Education, and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges gave FEU-NRMF the highest level of accreditation and awarded it as a Center of Excellence in Medical Education in 1986.

Under the leadership of the late Dr. Josephine C. Reyes, FEU-NRMF added a School of Physical Therapy—transforming the hospital into a state of the art 240 bed facility. In 1998, FEU-NRMF relocated to Fairview, Quezon City to provide top medical care and education to an underserved area. Later on, the institute began admitting students for the School of Nursing.

Healers of tomorrow

“Through the years, we’ve added programs, including Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Physical Therapy and Respiratory Therapy,” states Reyes. “One of the defining characteristics of FEU-NRMF is our commitment to constant improvement.”

To further cement FEU-NRMF’s stature in medical and paramedical education; it has been accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities and Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation. It has also been recognized as a Center of Excellence in research by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

In its constant efforts to expand and evolve with the times, FEU-NRMF has recently opened three new courses for SY 2013 to 2014 namely BS Pharmacy, BS Nutrition and Dietetics, and BS Radiologic Technology.

“The new courses offered are strong in instruction, community extension and research, where knowledge acquired would be translated to action for the betterment of the community we serve,” explains Reyes.

As part of its expansion plans, the institute has been upgrading its training facilities. Aside from the Josephine Cojuangco Reyes Multi-purpose Building, FEU-NRMF is embarking on a new project that involves a 22-story tower, which will house offices for the executives and the faculty, classrooms, lecture halls, and a library. An interesting feature of the new building will be the Skyplaza, to be found on the bridge way, which will serve to connect Towers One and Two, and provide a food court and function rooms.

Selfless care for everyone

Today, the institute stands as a Level-3 hospital with 300 beds and state-of-the-art facilities and services. Notably, it has been accredited as a Center of Excellence by PhilHealth. The hospital also allocates one-third of its beds for service patients.

In addition, a newly launched Wellness Wing at the hospital now provides quality and affordable services for child and adult wellness, women’s health, dermatology, cosmetic and aesthetic medicine, as well as physical therapy and rehabilitation. A new floor also made way for rooms for neuroscience, oncology, pain and palliative care sections.

FEU-NRMF truly has its hands full as it mobilizes efforts to be internationally recognized. As Reyes shares, “We have an active alumni base in the US. In addition and we are looking towards international accreditation with the Joint Commission International. We have recently applied for accreditation with the Department of Tourism.”

A legacy of concern

Apart from gradually living out Dr. Nicanor Reyes’ vision—the institute goes over and beyond its foremost mission.

As it provides jobs to over a thousand employees within the institute, the presence of FEU-NRMF positively impacted the community by opening the doors for business opportunities. As a recognition, DOLE-NCMB awarded FEU-NRMF “Best in Labor Management Cooperation” in 2009 and “Best Strategic Partnership” in 2011.

FEU-NRMF stands at the forefront of nation-building — all the while inspiring individuals to all play a role in continuing a legacy of perseverance and genuine concern for others.