ESM Cebu
Cebu is considered as the second largest city and a major economic and cultural hub of the Philippines with an estimated population of 3.4 million. The first site of ESM in 2010 was at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC). For the past 15 years, NOF has designed ESMs at this site to teach ETV-CPC in the treatment of hydrocephalus, advanced neurosurgical techniques of the spine, endovascular techniques to treat aneurysm, and pediatric neurosurgery.
ESM activities enhance and enrich VSMCC’s residency program and include mentoring opportunities for the residents. In 2024, a much-needed "Path to Research" seminar was included in the ESM. NOF established, in partnership with CURE International, the Hydrocephalus Center in 2016 that ran until 2018.
ESM activities enhance and enrich VSMCC’s residency program and include mentoring opportunities for the residents. In 2024, a much-needed "Path to Research" seminar was included in the ESM. NOF established, in partnership with CURE International, the Hydrocephalus Center in 2016 that ran until 2018.
- A patient support fund was established in 2018 and continues to this day. This site has also received numerous equipment support, from a refurbished microscope to several trays of aneurysm clips. This site has improved over the years, with better resources available, and recently a zero-billing policy for patients. Because ESMs are custom-designed to the center and community, NOF is able to model ESM activities as the site and community change. VSMMC typically takes 2-3 residents per year and is the most advanced neurosurgical program in the region covering a population of 21 million.This site was part of the Emmy-nominated documentary, Healing Minds.
- Out of the ESMs in Cebu comes two inspiring stories---that of Bernardita, a retired teacher, and Thomas, a (months) baby. Read more here List of ESMs in Cebu:
- May 10-15, 2026 - Cebu, Manila, GenSan
- June 20 - 28, 2024 - Cebu, Manila, Davao
- June 4-11, 2022 - Manila, Cebu, Davao
- June 16, 18-20, 2018 - VSMMC, Cebu (Updates in Care of the Neurosurgical Patient was presented by The Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation, VSMMC, and the Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons (AFN). This seminar featured experts in vascular, spine, and pediatric neurosurgery and neurocritical care. It covered the latest advances in their fields and demonstrated cutting-edge techniques.)
- July 16, 2016 - Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy + Choroid Plexus Coagulation
- July 15 -16, 2010 - Seminar on Neuroendoscopy for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus (This seminar was done in partnership with Cebu Doctor’s University College of Medicine, the Department of Neurosurgery, VSMMC, and the Cebu Brain and Spine Foundation.)
ESM Dagupan
ESM 2012 took NOF to the northern part of the Philippines. Dagupan, Pangasinan, is a city known for its bangus (milk fish) and has a population of almost 175,000 with Regional 1 Medical Center was NOF’s host partner.
Early ESMs start with lectures, hands-on training on a specific technique, and then surgery on the host’s patients. Never modeled for quantity, ESM’s education-based approach ensures that there is continuity of care. ESM 2012 introduced the use of a flexible endoscope. It was demonstrated in a ETV-CPC surgical technique for the treatment of hydrocephalus.
- December 17-18, 2012 - Educational Surgical Mission, 2012: Seminar on Neuroendoscopy for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus. This seminar was done in partnership with The Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons, Inc., North Luzon Chapter, and Region 1 Medical Center.
ESM Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines and its metro area has a population of roughly 15 million. The city is considered to have high population density ranking high in the world. Of the 174 neurosurgeons in the country, most of them practice in Manila leaving the rest (and the islands) with a deficit of neurosurgeons to cater to the needs of the communities.
NOF has held ESMs in 3 sites, with University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) as its consistent and main host for several years.In 2014, NOF brought advanced endoscopy surgery to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Manila. This was the first ESM that brought a team: Dr. Walter Grand (late) and Dr. Jody Leonardo.
In 2016, ESM looked a little different as the team consisted of an NGO from Belgium and Cure International with the aim of improving hydrocephalus care and treatment in the Philippines. As a result NOF’s advocacy program was born.
2018 was the first time NOF brought a multi-specialty team to the Philippines. It was also the first time NOF conducted its ESM at University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and has since returned. Mentoring and training their neurological surgery residents in various surgical techniques that cover spine, pediatric, and cerebrovascular. In 2023, the use of Ohana One Vuzix Glasses for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy training was held the first time in this site. This has benefited from receiving donated aneurysm clips, drills, and other neurosurgical instrumentations. A patient fund was also established at this site in 2021. UP-PGH was also featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary, "Healing Minds." UP-PGH caters to the sickest of the sick of the Philippines and its reach captures …. People.
In 2016, ESM looked a little different as the team consisted of an NGO from Belgium and Cure International with the aim of improving hydrocephalus care and treatment in the Philippines. As a result NOF’s advocacy program was born.
2018 was the first time NOF brought a multi-specialty team to the Philippines. It was also the first time NOF conducted its ESM at University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and has since returned. Mentoring and training their neurological surgery residents in various surgical techniques that cover spine, pediatric, and cerebrovascular. In 2023, the use of Ohana One Vuzix Glasses for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy training was held the first time in this site. This has benefited from receiving donated aneurysm clips, drills, and other neurosurgical instrumentations. A patient fund was also established at this site in 2021. UP-PGH was also featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary, "Healing Minds." UP-PGH caters to the sickest of the sick of the Philippines and its reach captures …. People.
ESM Gensan
General Santos or GenSan, is a highly urbanized city located in the province of South Cotabato in the Mindanao region. With a population of 700,000 plus, Gensan is widely known for its tuna industry.
NOF visited Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital, the sole government-operated Level 2 hospital in the city.
NOF visited Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital, the sole government-operated Level 2 hospital in the city.