By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a press briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the appointment of Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).
Dr. Pujalte Jr. will be taking the reins from former Health chief Teodoro Herbosa, after the latter tendered his resignation recently.
With more than three decades of expertise in the field of orthopedics, Dr. Pujalte Jr. is a veteran surgeon that has previously served in various capacities within the DOH.
Since 1991, he has dedicated his career towards improving government health services. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Pujalte Jr. helped in the establishment of the Philippine Spine Society in 1995 and served as one of the founders of the Philippine Shoulder Society in 1997.
He also served as the president of the ASEAN Orthopaedic Association (AOA) in 2009, to become the 5th Filipino to have led this regional medical organization and the presider of the first AOA Council.
Likewise regarded as a fellow of the Philippine Orthopedic Association (POA), Dr. Pujalte Jr. has held the position of Medical Center Chief II of the Philippine Orthopedic Center since 2014.
The new Health Secretary, a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, also holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
He also underwent extensive fellowship training in countries like Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which broadened his expertise in conducting medical operations on the shoulder, spine, and joints.
Dr. Pujalte Jr. also had a brief stint in the field of education, having previously taught at the University of the Philippines Manila, FEU-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation and San Beda College of Medicine.
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