The Making of Cebu Doctors’ University College of Rehabilitative Sciences
With roots dating back to Physical Therapy’s year of inception in 1974, the Cebu Doctors’ University College of Rehabilitative Sciences (CDUCRS), formerly known as Cebu Doctors' College of Rehabilitative Sciences (CDCRS), falteringly, yet decisively made its mark within the memoirs of Cebu Doctors' University (CDU). Somehow, throughout the coming years, the deans and chairpersons of Physical Therapy (PT) and eventually Occupational Therapy (OT), together with undeniably altruistic teachers, played a vital role in shaping the destiny of CDUCRS. These selfless professionals responded to the challenge of bringing PT and OT to a considerable height and prestige.
Steadfastly since 1974, the first course in rehabilitative sciences - Physical Therapy gained initial maturity with the help of its first chairman, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Felix J. Vicuna, Jr., assisted by Miss Yolanda Nadela, a BSPT graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. In 1978, Physical Therapy, then under the wing of the College of Arts and Sciences, made history as the pioneer batch of BSPT graduates ( a handful of twelve alumni ) soared with a 100 % passing percentage in the Board Examination. The next chairman of PT was Dr. Arthur Malgapo, a physiatrist who entered the picture in June 1978. He was assisted by the very able Mrs. Chloe Gabriel.
The transition from being
under the College of Arts and Sciences to
being part of the Cebu Doctors’ Institute of Allied Medical Sciences (CDIAMS), occurred in 1980. With Dr. Malgapo still at the helm, Physical Therapy proceeded to carve its own niche i
n the annals of CDC. Not long after, another individual rendered
innumerable service as PT’s next chair(wo)man. The lady physiatrist was
none other than Dr. Mary Jeanne Flordelis. With
the passage of the hands of time, the course slowly but surely grasped
a sturdier foothold as one of the best courses CDC had to offer.
However, during the 80’s, Physical Therapy had to endure some heavy blows. Throughout the Philippines as well as here in Metro Cebu, the need for rehabilitation services was largely underestimated. Despite the initial hesitance, people from different w alks of life, including doctors, had steadily broadened their minds and opened their hearts with the glaringly apparent evidence of rehabilitation medicine’s crucial role in the realm of medical science. The popularity of Physical therapy as a course even tually grew, and in 1991, another course in the rehabilitative field was started - Occupational Therapy, with Miss Carmencita Mendoza as its first chairman. CDIAMS had to be restructured. Cebu Doctors’ College of Allied Medical Sciences or CDCAMS was form ed with courses in Medical Technology and Radiologic Technology.
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