The First USTFMS Department of Medicine Stethoscope Tagging Ceremony

The First USTFMS Department of Medicine Stethoscope Tagging Ceremony

Melvin R. Marcial, MD, MHPEd

Corresponding Author:

Melvin R. Marcial, USTFMS Department of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

Email: mrmarcial@ust.edu.ph

Abstract

It is just fitting for the oldest medical school in the Philippines, the UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, which just celebrated its sesquicentennial year, to initiate this trailblazing stethoscope tagging ceremony for 418 second-year medical students belonging to USTFMS Batch 2026. This activity is aligned with enhancing the Thomasian identity (one of the strategic directional areas [SDA 2] of the university) once they graduate, the Thomasian Physician identity. The stethoscope remains the symbolic representation of physician and patient care. The innovative and pivotal activity, completely different from other international medical schools’ rite of passage, was marked with meaningful symbolisms unique to USTFMS. This rite also involved a pledge to the patroness of the Department of Medicine, Mary Untier of Knots, who would thus qualify for a robust faith formation program of the university (key result area [KRA 1]). Indeed, this would be the beginning of an annual celebration of strengthening faith, hope, and charity (patient care advocacy), TRIA HAEC, the three virtues of St. Paul that comprise the core values of Thomasian education.

The first UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, Department of Medicine Stethoscope Tagging Ceremony was held last August 14-16, 2023, for 418 second-year medical students (4 sections) belonging to USTFMS Batch 2026 taking physical diagnosis course (Medicine 1). (Figure 1) This historical rite of passage served as a welcoming activity to the clinical world for the students and also served as a celebration for choosing Thomasian medical education in their journey to becoming a physician with 152 years of excellence in medical education.[1] This activity is aligned with enhancing the Thomasian identity (one of the strategic directional areas [SDA 2] of the university) once they graduate, the Thomasian Physician identity.[2]

The solemn rite was initiated by the USTFMS Department of Medicine Chair, Dr. Melvin R. Marcial, and seamlessly executed by Medicine 1 Supervisor Dr. Irene Joson-Vergara and Asst. Medicine 1 Supervisors Dr. Julie Ann Tapispisan and Dr. Caroline Bernadette Ignacio. Dean Maria Lourdes Maglinao, Asst. Dean Remedios Dee-Chan, Faculty Secretary Clifton Pe, and Father Regent Angel Aparicio delivered inspirational messages. Father Aparicio has blessed the stethoscope tags days prior to the activity and dedicated it to Mary. 

Figure 1. Poster of the first Stethoscope Tagging Ceremony 

The stethoscope remains the symbolic representation of physician and patient care. The innovative and pivotal activity, in three parts, is completely different from other international medical schools’ rite of passage and was marked with meaningful symbolisms unique to USTFMS.[3,4]

The first part was the candle lighting. As each facilitator was introduced, they got one unlighted candle placed on a candelabra from their respective tray, then approached Mary, Untier of Knots, the Patroness of the Department of Medicine, and lighted their candle from the lighted altar candle in front of Her,… symbolizing that the facilitator shall obtain guidance and knowledge from Her (Figure 2). With a blazing candle in hand, the facilitator approached his/her assigned group, and each medical student lighted their individual candle from the candle held by their facilitator… symbolizing the passage of guidance and knowledge (Figure 3). After which, their candles were made to stand on an assigned plate for the group by melting the bottom of their candles from the facilitators’ lit candles symbolizing the support the facilitators shall provide to his/her students (Figure 4A, 4B).

Figure 2. Department of Medicine Chair Dr. Melvin Marcial lighting his candle from the lighted candle in front of Patroness Mary, Untier of Knots, symbolizing the facilitator shall obtain guidance and knowledge from Her.

Figure 3. Former Department of Medicine Chair Dr. Maria Piedad Natividad lights the candle of her students symbolizing the passage of guidance and knowledge.

Figure 4A	Figure 4B

Figure 4A. Lighted candles were made to stand on an assigned plate for the group by melting the bottom of their candles from the facilitators’ lighted candles, symbolizing the support the facilitators shall provide to his/her students. Figure 4B. Dr. Maria Victoria Garcia’s group is shown.

The second part was a stethoscope tagging ceremony proper, wherein each student received a personalized leatherette stethoscope in golden yellow, the official color of UST FMS. At the back of the tag is written “IM THOMASIAN MD 2023.” “IM” stands for the training given by the Department of Internal Medicine and the year they were under the Department (Figure 5A, 5B).