ITRMC - Medical Social Work Department

23/07/2026

𝙄𝙏𝙍𝙈𝘾- 1𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣

The Medical Social Work Department (MSWD) of the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) successfully conducted its First Coaching and Mentoring on Social Case Management: Standards of Care for Disease and Special Situations on July 14–16, 2026 at the Renaissance Conference Hall. The three-day capability-building activity aimed to strengthen the competencies of Medical Social Workers across the Ilocos Region in delivering quality, patient-centered, evidence-based, and compassionate psychosocial services.

A highlight of the training was the Social Case Management Presentation held on the final day, where ten (10) Medical Social Workers shared their competencies through presentations of actual social case management cases. The Case Managers showcased their ability to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments tools (Elderly, Adult, Child and Adolescent), develop evidence-based social care plans, implement appropriate interventions, and present well-founded case analyses before a distinguished panel of expert judges which composed of members of the Technical Working Group of Medical Social Workers from various institutions. Ms. Nora B. Mangusan and Ms. Apryl Gretchen Cofin of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), Ms. Beth Del Rosario and Ms. Arlene DG Pansoy of Region I Medical Center (R1MC), and Ms. Sonia H. Carreon of Treatment and Rehabilitation Center–Dagupan City (TRC). The panel's constructive feedback and mentoring further enhanced the participants' clinical reasoning, professional judgment, and social case management competencies, reinforcing best practices in patient-centered care.

The program officially commenced with inspiring messages from Dr. Ryan Joseph B. Lirazan, Chief of the Allied Health Professional Services, and Dr. Unity H. Cortez, Medical Center Chief II, representing Dr. Cecilia Lubiano, Officer-in-Charge. Both underscored the indispensable role of Medical Social Workers in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care, advancing holistic healthcare services, and contributing to nation-building through their commitment to serving vulnerable and marginalized populations.

The successful conduct of the training was made possible through the leadership of Mrs. Maria Teresa F. Sison, RSW, MSW, Head of the Medical Social Work Department, whose vision and dedication continue to advance professional excellence and ethical social work practice within the healthcare system. The activity forms part of the department's Performance Management Research and Technology Development Training in continuing commitment to developing competent Medical Social Workers capable of delivering responsive, evidence-based, and quality psychosocial services.

Through initiatives such as this, ITRMC reaffirms its commitment to nurturing highly competent healthcare professionals who uphold the highest standards of medical social work practice. By investing in continuous learning, mentoring, and professional development, the institution ensures that patients and their families receive comprehensive, compassionate, and holistic psychosocial care throughout their healthcare journey.

26/06/2026

The Medical Social Work Department (MSWD) of ITRMC organized meaningful activities for our beloved geriatric patients and their carers — to check in, listen closely, and address any concerns they may have.

The activities included:

1. Spiritual Counseling – Facilitated by ITRMC Sinag Volunteers, offering spiritual guidance to strengthen faith, hope, and inner peace.

2. Kumustahan Session – A heartfelt check‑in recognizing that caring for older adults is never easy. This activity supports the mental well‑being of both patients and caregivers, easing the weight of caregiving duties.

3. Wheel of Life – A reflective activity helping them express feelings, life circumstances, and challenges, followed by practical guidance and emotional support.

4. Relaxation and Realization Breathing – Guided breathing exercises to calm the mind and evoke cherished memories — recalling how those now being cared for once lovingly cared for others themselves.

5. Recreational Provision – Supplying books, board games, and card games for ward‑based use, reducing boredom, sparking joy, and keeping minds active during their stay.

15/06/2026

Palambing po! Palike/heart and share. I-click po ang mismong picture. Salamat po!

𝙸𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙾𝚂 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝙸𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚁𝙴𝙶𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻 𝙼𝙴𝙳𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝙲𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁

𝑷𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒅 𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒂𝒍𝒂 𝒏𝒊 𝑴𝑹. 𝑿 (𝑱𝑶𝑯𝑵 𝑫𝑶𝑬)

𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝗏𝗈𝗅𝗏𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗇 𝗎𝗇𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗏𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗆 𝗈𝖿 𝖺 𝗏𝖾𝗁𝗂𝖼𝗎𝗅𝖺𝗋 𝖺𝖼𝖼𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗇𝗍. 𝖳𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝖼𝗈𝗈𝗋𝖽𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖬𝗎𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗂𝗉𝖺𝗅 𝖲𝗈𝖼𝗂𝖺𝗅 𝖶𝖾𝗅𝖿𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖣𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖮𝖿𝖿𝗂𝖼𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖫𝗈𝖼𝖺𝗅 𝖦𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗇𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖴𝗇𝗂𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖲𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗈 𝖳𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗌, 𝖫𝖺 𝖴𝗇𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝖺 𝗉𝖺𝗎𝗉𝖾𝗋'𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗂𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗏𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝖾𝗇𝗌𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗍𝗂𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗀𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗇 𝖺 𝖽𝗂𝗀𝗇𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝖽𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗂𝖺𝗅. 𝖡𝖾𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖽 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗍, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖫𝖦𝖴, 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖬𝗎𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗂𝗉𝖺𝗅 𝖬𝖺𝗒𝗈𝗋, 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗅𝗒 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗏𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝖿𝖿𝗂𝗇 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗍𝗂𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗅𝗒𝗐𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖼𝖺𝗌𝗄𝖾𝗍 𝗐𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗂𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗂𝖼𝗂𝗉𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽.

11/06/2026

09/06/2026

💜 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗘 💜

In celebration of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, we warmly encourage everyone to support and purchase products personally made by our cancer patients, caregivers, and partner entrepreneurs through our 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲. Every purchase directly contributes to the programs and projects of the group that provide essential care, assistance, and hope for Oncology patients and their families.

Proceeds from this activity will help sustain the 𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆, provide transportation assistance for patients undergoing chemotherapy sessions, support medicines and diagnostic procedures not available in our institution, and fund future sustainable livelihood projects for qualified indigent cancer patients.

This meaningful celebration is dedicated to honoring the courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit of cancer survivors whose journeys continue to inspire strength and hope among patients, families, healthcare workers, and the community.

✨ We are now 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆! Enjoy delicious food and refreshing treats while supporting a meaningful cause!

📌 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦
Biko
• Medium Bilao – ₱500
• Large Bilao – ₱800
Pancit
• Medium – ₱500
• Large – ₱900
Cucumber Lemonade
• 16oz – ₱35
• 22oz – ₱50
Chocolate Delight
• 16oz – ₱50
• 22oz – ₱70
Pastil Rice
• Regular – ₱50
• With Egg – ₱65
Turon – ₱20
Bananacue – ₱35
Special Maruya – ₱30
Hopia
• Ube – ₱50
• Mongo – ₱50
• Baby Hopia – ₱50
Yema (3 pcs) – ₱20
Boiled Corn – ₱50/pack
Takoballs
• 3 pcs – ₱25
• 6 pcs – ₱50
Empanada – ₱60
Spud Potato
• Cheesy Overload – ₱65
• Cheesy Overload with Ham Tidbits & Corn – ₱75
Special Sisig – ₱70
Lutong Ulam Meals
Palabok – ₱50/tub
Macaroni Salad – ₱50
Orange Sweet Potato (Camote) – ₱80/kilo
Organic/Pure Vinegar – ₱90 (1.5 liters)

💜 Your support can bring comfort, encouragement, and hope to our cancer warriors and survivors.

📩 For reservations and inquiries, kindly send us a message or contact:
Ma'am Melanie Untalasco - KASILLAG President
09190008641

Together, let's celebrate survivorship, spread hope, and make every purchase count for a worthy cause.

27/05/2026

* Recreational Activities: Elderly patients & Carers

- These were the activities conducted by Medical Social Work Department Staff for our elderly patients.

The program aimed to promote emotional expression, relaxation, and social interaction among the elderly patients through meaningful and therapeutic activities.

Activities included:

• 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 – a calming activity that helped the patients and their carers relax, reduce stress, and focus on the present moment through proper breathing techniques. This also encouraged emotional regulation and mental wellness among the participants.

• 𝙄𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 – the elderly patients were encouraged to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through art and drawing. This activity provided them with a safe and creative way to communicate their feelings while enhancing self-expression and engagement.

The activities were successfully carried out with the cooperation and participation of both the facilitators and the elderly patients, creating a warm, supportive, and meaningful environment for everyone involved.

27/05/2026

𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆! ✨

The Support Group of ITRMC Cancer Patients has been invited to participate in the “𝐊𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐖𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐌𝐂” in celebration of the hospital’s 81st Foundation Anniversary with the theme, “𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐌𝐂 @ 𝟖𝟏: 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲,” from May 18–22, 2026.

We warmly encourage everyone to support and purchase products personally made by our cancer patients, caregivers, and partner entrepreneurs. Every purchase will directly contribute to the programs and projects of the group that aim to provide essential care, assistance, and hope for Oncology patients and their families.

The proceeds from this activity will help sustain the “𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐨 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲,” provide transportation assistance for patients undergoing chemotherapy sessions, support expenses for medicines and diagnostic procedures not available in our institution, and fund future sustainable livelihood projects for qualified indigent cancer patients.

The volunteerism, hard work, and dedication of the KASILLAG officers and members, together with the facilitators from the Medical Social Work Department, continue to make this initiative meaningful and impactful—not only for Oncology patients and their families, but also for the community as a whole. Through unity and compassion, they strive to help ease the financial, emotional, and mental burdens experienced by cancer patients while promoting self-sufficiency and long-term recovery.

Thank you, ITRMC, for being the true ““𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠 𝐭𝐢 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧!” 💛

27/05/2026

The Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, through the Allied Health Professional Service Division – Medical Social Work Department, has officially launched a Patient Support Group for individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and their families.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞:“𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐧: 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 – 𝐍𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.”

This initiative creates a safe, compassionate, and empowering space where patients and families can:

- Share experiences and strengthen emotional resilience

- Receive psychosocial guidance throughout their treatment journey

- Access peer support, health education, and medical & social resources

- Reduce isolation and promote holistic healing

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Ryan Joseph B. Lirazan, MD, FPOGS, FPSURPS, MBA, Chief of Allied Health Professional Services, and to Ms. Maria Teresa F. Sison, RSW, MSW, Head of the Medical Social Work Department, and the entire MSWD team for their commitment to delivering people-centered, compassionate care to every CKD patient and family.

Together, we move forward in hope, support, and advocacy.

26/04/2026

Please support🥰

11/01/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦: 𝐀 𝟔𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐧 ❣️

The patient was admitted to the Medical Ward of Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center and was referred to the Medical Social Work Department for 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. The patient is originally from the Province of Samar; due to personal circumstances experienced as a child, she was forced to work in Manila and later transferred to Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, where she worked as a house helper for decades. Upon reaching the age of 60, her health declined, requiring repeated hospital admissions. During her final admission, her employers expressed that they could no longer care for her due to work commitments and decided she could not return home.

𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚​, as the assigned medical social worker, gathered information and assessed the patient. He conducted psychosocial counseling with both the patient and her employers to explore reintegration. Efforts to locate the patient's relatives through coordination with MSWD Mondragon, Samar were also exhausted, but to no avail. Given the patient’s current condition, institutional placement was seen as the best remedy; hence, the assigned social worker, together with other social workers, searched for institutions or centers that would welcome the patient.

By God’s grace and through the 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 of the Medical Social Work Department staff, the patient secured shelter at the Missionaries of Charity in Lucao, Dagupan City. On January 6, 2026, with the assistance of 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐍𝐲𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟-𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐌𝐂, the patient found her new home at the said institution.

​The patient strongly believes that even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.