Dr. Bruce B. Canto Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon

07/10/2026

23/09/2026

The University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine (UPCM) has opened a specialized laboratory where medical trainees and health professionals can practice clinical and surgical procedures using cadaveric specimens before performing them on actual patients. Soft-launched on September 1, 2026, the Surgical Knowledge Intensive Learning Laboratory thru Simulation (SKILLS Laboratory) provides a controlled environment for hands-on procedural training. Unlike a conventional anatomy laboratory, where cadavers are primarily used to study anatomical structures and dissection, SKILLS is specifically designed to simulate procedures encountered in clinical and surgical practice.

The facility includes digital anatomy dissection tables and visualizers, surgical and skull-base stations, endoscopic towers, surgical drills, microscopes, and an obstetrics and gynecology station equipped with a hysteroscope. Integrated audiovisual and wireless systems can also transmit activities from inside the laboratory to other locations for teaching, observation, and demonstrations. UP Manila identified demand for cadaver-based simulation from at least 10 departments, including anesthesiology, dermatology, dentistry, emergency medicine, neurosurgery, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, plastic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, and surgery. Just days after its opening, the laboratory hosted specialists from the Philippines and abroad for hands-on training in modern endoscopic spine surgery.

Cadaver-based simulation provides something that computer models and textbooks cannot completely reproduce: the complex three-dimensional anatomy and physical characteristics of actual human tissues. This allows trainees to develop procedural familiarity and refine techniques in a controlled educational setting before applying those skills in patient care. UP Manila also recognizes the individuals who donated their bodies to medical science as “silent mentors,” emphasizing gratitude and respect for their contribution to medical education. The SKILLS Laboratory is part of a broader effort to strengthen simulation-based education at UP Manila, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical competence, surgical training, and patient safety.

Photo courtesy: UP Manila

Science Department |

23/09/2026

A proud milestone for Philippine healthcare 🏥🇵🇭

Out of more than 2,500 hospitals evaluated across 32 countries, St. Luke’s Medical Center and Makati Medical Center were included in the Top 250 of Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026 for their commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety, quality care, patient experience, and international standards.

Beyond being a source of national pride, this recognition strengthens the Philippines’ position as an emerging destination for medical tourism, showcasing the country’s ability to provide world-class healthcare to both Filipino and international patients.

19/09/2026

Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion With Lateral Vertebral Screw Fixation Versus Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Severe Lumbar Stenosis: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial https://bit.ly/3TeT46J by Li et al Hospital of Soochow University Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)

17/09/2026

There is always something new to learn, and that’s the value of attending workshops, hands-on training, and cadaver courses—continually sharpening our skills, learning from experts, and bringing these lessons back into our practice.

Because ultimately, continuing education is not simply about becoming better surgeons. It is about giving our patients the best care we can provide—safer procedures, better outcomes, faster recovery, and the opportunity to return to the lives they value.

Every new skill we learn and every technique we refine should translate into better care for the person who has entrusted us with their health.

We keep learning because our patients deserve our best.