Lecture features oral and maxillofacial trauma experts

MANILA, Philippines - Two top experts in oral and maxillofacial trauma from the United States and United Kingdom will be featured in the last installment of this year’s continuing education courses hosted by the Philippine College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (PCOMS) on July 18-20 at the Lung Center of the Philippines.

Professors Rui Fernandes and Sat Parmar of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Foundation (IAOMSF) will facilitate the course that will tackle the basic principles of the practice as well as new technologies and advanced management of oral and maxillofacial trauma. They will be complemented by a set of local lecturers who are fellows of the college.

Fernandes, who is from the US, is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He holds dual appointments in the Divisions of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. Currently, he serves as chief of the Section of Head and Neck Surgery and director of the Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.

Fernandes has established a thriving head and neck and microvascular surgical practice in Jacksonville, Florida, currently attracting patients from the southeast region of the US and various countries in South America. 

His methodical and innovative approach to the reconstruction of complex maxillofacial defects has positioned him as a leader in reconstructive surgery in the field of maxillofacial surgery. He is well published in the field and frequently lectures at national and international meetings.

Parmar, who is from the UK, was appointed as an oral and maxillofacial/head and neck/reconstructive surgeon at the University Hospital of Birmingham in 2003. He is actively involved in teaching dental/medical students, general medical and dental practitioners as well as trainees in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

A course instructor for Advanced Trauma and Life Support (ATLS), Trauma Skills, Dentist on the Ward courses, Parmar also organizes the European Head. He is the chairman of the AOUK Craniomaxillofacial Group and council member of the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists. He carries out most aspects of general oral and maxillofacial surgery but his sub-specialist interest is trauma, salivary gland/head and neck cancer and reconstruction.

Dr. Ida Balanag, PCOMS president, said the Filipino lecturers are Drs. Jay Tabije, Ann Lee Esguerra, Gary Brillo, Joven Javier, Carmelo Gepigon, Robert Quiambao, Mendelssohn Manalaysay, Mario Esquillo, Angelo Militante, Joy Bautista, and Dario Reyes.

Pre-registration is ongoing and will last until July 12 at the PCOMS Secretariat, Room 301, DLS-STI Medical Center, E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard, Quezon City, with telephone numbers (632) 723-2447 and (632) 723-0041 to 54.

Course fee is P3,000 for pre-registered local delegates; pre-registered foreign delegate fee is $150. On-site registration is also possible, at P5,000 and $200 for local and foreign delegates respectively. 

For further details, contact Dr. Jaime Aldecoa, (632) 731-2761 local 327; Dr. Ida Balanag, 0917-8292998; and Dr. Cynthia del Castillo, 0928-7722189. Check www.pcoms.wordpress.com for the contact details of the other PCOMS fellows.