Demonstrating its strong commitment to community service and medical excellence, the AMA School of Medicine (ASM/AMASOM) actively participated in the third leg of the nationwide “Lab for All” program in San Juan, La Union. The initiative is spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady under the leadership of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, whose advocacy centers on improving access to essential health and social services for underserved Filipino communities.
Through the “Lab for All” program, the First Lady continues to champion inclusive and people-centered governance, ensuring that vital government services reach grassroots communities. Her sustained efforts have brought medical care, social protection, livelihood assistance, and digital services closer to families nationwide—particularly in remote and marginalized areas.
As a proud member of the AMA Education System, (ASM) remains committed to producing socially responsive and globally competitive medical professionals. In line with this mission, the ASM medical team provided free medical consultations, basic health screenings, and risk assessment services to residents from 41 barangays in San Juan, benefiting a total of 1,476 patients and community members.
The activity was implemented through strong inter-agency collaboration, involving the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), the Local Government Unit of San Juan, La Union, and other participating organizations.
Central to ASM’s meaningful contribution was the dedicated service of its faculty physicians, all of whom are members of the institution’s academic and teaching staff. The medical mission was led by Dean Michael Maniwa, together with Dr. John Rey Gonzales, Dr. Jonathan Iledan, and Dr. Eric De Leon, who exemplified ASM’s standards of clinical excellence, professionalism, and compassionate care.
Supporting the faculty doctors were four (4) medical clerks, who are foreign medical students enrolled at ASM, highlighting the school’s growing international community and commitment to multicultural medical education. Assigned to the Risk Assessment Station, the clerks handled preliminary screening, patient triage, and coordination with partner agencies—gaining valuable hands-on experience in community-based healthcare delivery.
Their participation reflects ASM’s strong emphasis on experiential learning, enabling both local and international students to engage directly in national public health initiatives while developing cultural sensitivity, teamwork, and patient-centered competencies.
Through its continued involvement in the “Lab for All” program, the AMA School of Medicine reinforces its role as a key partner in advancing the First Lady’s vision of accessible, responsive, and integrated public services. It also strengthens ASM’s position as a leading medical institution under the AMA Education System—one that integrates academic excellence, global perspective, and social responsibility.
Moving forward, ASM remains committed to supporting future legs of the program, contributing to population health, preventive care, and collaborative public service, while shaping competent, compassionate, and community-oriented physicians for the Philippines and the global community.
