Department of Anatomy
UP College of Medicine
Tradition and Excellence
The Department of Anatomy is irrefutably the very first medical science organized for the new medical school established in 1905 during the American colonial era. With a burgeoning population, the Taft Commission saw the need to create a second medical school for the archipelago. The Philippine Medical School as it was first called moved to a newly built facility in 1910 where it still stands to these days. It would soon be absorbed by the newly established University of the Philippines becoming its first college in 1912. Henceforth it would be regarded as the UP College of Medicine.
​
​
The first Dean of the College of Medicine was Paul Caspar Freer, a visionary who started the medical school in the right footing. He personally chose Robert Bennett Bean to head the department of anatomy. Together, they requested the Bureau of Health to transfer the city morgue in the premise of the college to provide students access to anatomical instructions. Anatomy at that time comprised 1000 hours of instruction compared to the present 142 hours. All the instructors at that time were Americans with Filipino assistants.
On July 10, 1910, the first 3 batches of medical students transferred to their new home at 547 Herran Street (now Pedro Gil), Ermita, Manila. This would be the home of the Department of Anatomy even to the present time.
Paul Caspar Freer MD, PhD, a consistent honor student, attended Rush Medical College. He took his double PhD degree in Munich and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He was a professor of inorganic chemistry at the University of Michigan before being recruited to be the first director of the Bureau of Science of Manila and later as Dean of the UP College of Medicine. He was the founder and first editor of the Philippine Journal of Science in 1906 which exists to this day. He is referred as the "Father of Modern Science in the Philippines."
Paul Caspar Freer, MD, PhD
Dean UPCM
1905-1912
​
Robert Bennet Bean was first appointed instructor of anatomy at Hopkins where he graduated. He was later recruited at University of Michigan anatomy department where he was personally hand picked by Paul Freer to head the anatomy department of the new medical school in the Philippines. He initiated anatomical research undertakings at the UPCM producing seventeen publications on the somatology of Filipinos. He was then recruited by University of Virginia to head its anatomy department.
Robert Bennet Bean, MD
First Chair, Anatomy
1907-1910
​
Anatomy dissection circa 1915. With the city morgue situated in the college premises, students had a steady supply of anatomical instructions. Student to silent teacher ration was 2:1. Teaching was heavy on gross anatomy, histology, and neuroanatomy. Long hours were spent in the dissection laboratories. Early clinical correlations were incorporated in pedagogies even during those times.
By 1915, Filipino Pensionados who trained in North America were returning back to the country. One of the earliest recruits of the department of anatomy was Arturo Del Fierro Garcia who graduated with honors from the School of Medicine at Boulder Colorado. He would then be the first, the youngest, and the longest chair of the department of anatomy. He worked tirelessly to elevate the science during his time that would be carried on to these days.
Professor Bean stands tall in the middle of his histology class circa 1910. Far back at the right we can see American instructors standing side by side with their Filipino assistant instructors. Filipino doctors and graduates of the college were showing their excellence in every endeavor. It was only a matter of time that the academic succession of future educators would be all Filipinos.
Fernando Gonzales Calderon, MD
First Filipino Dean of UPCM
1916-1936
​
Arturo del Fierro Garcia would be employed at the Bureau of Health upon returning to the country as a Pensionado. He would be recruited by Dean Paul Freer to be an instructor at the new medical school. His stellar performance subsequently placed him at the helm of the department. His progressive leadership led to the recruitment of new Filipino faculty whom he helped to further their training in histology, embryology, and neuroanatomy overseas. He worked tirelessly to build a curriculum at par with the best medical schools in North America. He devoted his whole career in elevating the art and science of anatomy in the country.
A revolutionary medical officer under Emilio Aguinaldo’s army, Calderon decided to flee to France instead of surrendering to the American colonizers. He returned to the country a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology and was absorbed in the newly built university hospital. His career left a trail of hard work, perseverance, and patriotism. He would soon be appointed Dean of UPCM and concurrently director of the university hospital. He heavily invested on human resources appointing top graduates for work and sending them for further specialty training. He would be an inspiration to generations of graduates of UPCM. The main building of UPCM would be named after him- Calderon Hall.
Arturo del Fierro Garcia, MD
First Filipino Chair, Anatomy
1915-1947
​
As can be gleaned from the organization of the department in the late 1920's, anatomical instructions at UPCM was structured and well organized. Even at that time, the department had the sophistication of an academic unit that was not only devoted to teaching but has research as its pivotal centerpiece,
The helm of the UP College of Medicine was gradually, transferred under the tutelage of Filipinos. By 1925, most of the instructors of the college are Filipinos. Dr Garcia would work closely with the Fernando Calderon, the first Filipino Dean of the UP College of Medicine. They would establish the foundation which would be the building blocks leading to our reputation as a center of academic medical excellence.
Presently, the department strives to live up to the reputation of its illustrious genetic past. Its faculty are specialists who teach anatomy with rich clinical correlations under a organ system integrated curriculum. Anatomy is closely integrated with other basic sciences specifically physiology and biochemistry, interposed with the clinical sciences of dermatology, obstetrics, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, rehabilitation medicine, and general surgery.
As the first basic science of all the medical students entering the portal of the UP College of Medicine, we consider Anatomy as their ALPHA. Thus our faculty strives to awe, inspire, and motivate freshmen in the art and science of anatomy to make them feel the majesty of their chosen profession. We also assist and help clinicians and specialists who conduct wet simulation courses on our “silent teachers” as they go back to our laboratories to practice and hone their procedural skills- truly making anatomy as their OMEGA.
Simply speaking, the faculty of the Department of Anatomy of the UP College of Medicine, pursues the time honored and reverent tradition of teaching the oldest and the most fundamental discipline of medicine using progressive instructions to produce competent physicians and ensure patient safety.
