Dinagatnon among the pioneer students of Caraga’s only medical school
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The Caraga State University (CSU) in Butuan City presented its 35 pioneer and caliber students to join the region’s first and only school of medicine on July 25.
Shayne Aynrand A. Bag-ao, a resident of Barangay Santa Cruz, Loreto in the Province of Dinagat Islands, is one of the pioneer students of the CSU’s program on Doctor of Medicine with classes to start on August 5 for academic year 2025-2026.
At 28, she is a licensed medical technologist who took her baccalaureate course from the Adventist Medical Center in Iligan City.
“The screening process was stiff and meticulous. I am blessed and thankful to pass the qualifying examination, assessment and evaluation,” she said, expressing happiness for being one of the fortunate passers from almost 100 applicants, during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency – Dinagat Islands Government Information Center coordinator.
She thanked the state university for making the screening process inclusive, ensuring that all provinces in the region are well-represented in the pioneer batch of medical students. “Thank you Caraga State University for accepting Dinagatnons like me, who live on an island and in a far-flung barangay because my town is the farthest in the province. You gave me an opportunity to benefit from the government’s quality and affordable medical education.”
From the 35 pioneer medical students, Bag-ao is joined by another Dinagatnon, making them two from Dinagat Islands; 14 are from Butuan City; three from the province of Agusan del Norte; two from Agusan del Sur; two from Surigao del Norte; four from Surigao del Sur and eight from nearby provinces outside of the region. Most of them have a preparatory program in Biology and finished their courses with Latin honors.
“My next step is to apply for a scholarship program to help me and my family with the tuition fee and other expenses. I am hopeful that I will also pass the scholarship to help me achieve my dream of becoming a doctor someday and contribute to my community,” she added.
Just like Bag-ao, the rest of the pioneer medical students are determined to avail of the government’s scholarship program for future physicians such as the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) spearheaded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The CHED-MSRS is open to higher education students who are studying for the Doctor of Medicine in state universities and colleges (SUCs) to fund for their tuition, books, clothing or uniform, lodging, transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
Meanwhile, CSU President Rolyn C. Daguil shared to the pioneering batch that the School of Medicine is a response to the challenges in the health sector in the region and service to the local communities. “The School of Medicine expands our commitment to community empowerment, environmental health, and sustainable development. We have launched a mission to educate and train a new generation of doctors excellent in clinical knowledge and scientific reasoning.”
“To our pioneering batch, you are here to bridge the gap between rural communities and quality healthcare and to carry the torch of CSU with compassion and commitment to public health,” Pres. Daguil added.
Dr. Teresita C. Brion, dean of the CSU’s School of Medicine, shared that there are 13 faculty doctors who will nurture the pioneer medical students to embody the essential roles of a “Five –Star Physician” – a healer, health educator, social mobilizer, researcher and leader. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
