Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

About Us

Vision

To become a national end referral facility with a high level of expertise in clinical services, teaching and training, and research largely focusing on leprosy and other infectious dermatologic and tropical diseases by 2028 in congruence with the strategic directions of the mother institution.

Mission

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Department of Dermatology, as an apex or end referral facility is committed to provide advanced comprehensive clinical services; serves as a facility for specialty and subspecialty training; and capable of conducting multi-center clinical, public health, and operations research at the sub national or regional level.

Core Values

Commitment
- We are committed in providing a holistic training program and to produce competent and devoted leaders among our consultant staff and residents.
Compassion
- We aim to extend unconditional services to our less fortunate brothers in the community.
Professionalism
- We commit to deliver quality dermatological health care services through training and research in the various sub specialization in dermatology.
Collaboration
- We work with other PDS institutions, hospitals, communities and government agencies and institutions to provide excellent dermatologic health care.

HISTORY

The RITM section of Dermatology was established in 1992 with Dr. Gertrude Chan as its founding Chairperson, Dr. Ma. Teresita Gabriel as RTO and Dr. Ma. Luisa Venida as consultant. The program was eventually given full accreditation by the Philippine Society of Cutaneous Medicine (PSCM) in 1993.

In its early years, the dermatology outpatient department shared an office, conference room and laboratory with the RITM Infectious Research division. At that time clinics are held three times with the rest of the week used for didactics, grand rounds and dermatopathology reading. The section eventually was given a separate building in 2002 to accommodate the number of patients and improve the services that it provides. OPD consultation then became daily. The Section became a Department in 2011. Over the years, the number of patients increased and currently, 100-150 patients are seen daily at the Dermatology OPD. The Dermatology Department is the national referral hub for leprosy and is in close coordination and communication with the National Leprosy Control Program, DOH for its various activity and researches on leprosy.

Facilities/Services Available

Diagnostics

KOH smear
Wound Gram Stain & Culture and Sensitivity
TB culture
Fungal Culture
Tzanck Smear
PCR
Acid Fast Smear (AFS) / Slit Skin Smear (SSS)
Wood’s Lamp Examination
Dermoscopy
Dermatopathology Reading
ELISA (BP 180, BP 230, Dsg1, Dsg 3)
Direct Immunofluorescence (IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, Fibrinogen)
Patch Testing

Procedures

Cosmetic Dermatology
- Acne Surgery
- Extraction
- Intralesional Steroid Injection
- Chemical Peels
- Botox and Fillers
- Sclerotherapy
Dermatologic Surgery, Lasers, and Energy Based Devices
- Biopsy (Skin Punch, Shave, Excision)
- Excision of benign and malignant cutaneous tumors
- Extraction of milia and molluscum lesions
- Electrodessication and Curettage
- Nail Avulsion
- CO2 Laser
- Q-switched Nd:YAG Laser
- Diode
- Radiofrequency
- Cryotherapy
Phototherapy
- Narrowband and Broadband UVB Phototherapy
- Targeted Narrowband UVB Phototherapy

RITM Clubs
Hansen’s Disease Club
Psoriasis Club
Bullous Club
Atopic Club

Major Activities

Weekly Conferences
Examinations
Research Hour
Journal Club
Kodachrome
Clinicopathologic Conference
Dermatopathology Slide Readings and Lectures
Hair and Nail Lectures
Dermoscopy Lectures
Pediatric Dermatology Lectures
Cosmetic Dermatology/Laser Procedures
Dermatologic Surgery Workshop
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Lectures
Vesiculobullous and Immunodermatology Lectures
Community Dermatology and Medical Missions
Hansen’s Disease and Common Skin Diseases Workshop

Organizational Chart

Consultant staff

**Leilani R. Senador, MD, FPDS**
*Department Chair*

resident staff

third year residents

Frances Beatrice L. Alarilla, MD
Erwin John R. Aquino, MD
Ma. Desiree Hannah C. Garcia, MD
Loren Ann Cole C. Magpantay, MD
Ma. Fatima Lourdes Omangayon, MD
Ma. Bianca Therese Relova-Haresco, MD

second year residents

Daniel Brian G. Cabugao, MD
Alexis G. De las Alas, MD
Nagatoshi M. Ebisawa, MD
Angeli Elaine A. Pangilinan, MD
Danelle Anne L. Santos, MD
Christine Lyka R. Sayson, MD
Mary Rae Kate A. Villamin, MD

first year residents

Anne Fay A. Alvañiz, MD
Majarael O. Del Villar, MD
Rio Mae T. Gabriel, MD
Emanuel F. Gatdula, MD
Jennifer C. Li, MD
Krystel Angela A. Olano, MD
Anikka Mae Crystal E. Ollet, MD
Bianca Victoria C. Peña, MD

Resident Program

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION FOR

3-YEAR RESIDENCY TRAINING IN DERMATOLOGY

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine’s Dermatology Residency Program has produced 164 graduates as of 2022.

The Dermatology Training Program of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, which began in 1993, is an accredited general dermatology training program by the Philippine Dermatological Society. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, being a National Specialty Center for Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, rotates the residents in the Adult and Pediatric Infectious Disease wards, as well as the HIV and Animal Bite Clinics. It is also designated as an Advanced Comprehensive Dermatology Center by the Department of Health. We invite doctors from the provinces to train with us in order to give back and serve the underprivileged in their respective hometowns.

REQUIREMENTS:

Letter of application addressed to:

LEILANI R. SENADOR, MD, FPDS

Department Chair, Department of Dermatology

DOH-RITM

and

CLARISSE G. MENDOZA, MD, FPDS

Training Officer, Department of Dermatology