San Juan De Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. Where faith and reason are expressed in Charity

Arrival of the 15 Franciscan Missionaries in the Philippines with Lay brother Fray Juan Clemente who devoted his time studying the medicinal value of tropical plants in curing the diseases of the sick and the poor.

His work became well-known and the Franciscan “PORTERIA” in Intramuros, Manila was turned into a humble and efficient dispensary.

One year after his arrival in the Philippines, through the aid and contributions of well-to-do families of Manila, Fray Juan Clemente with the assistance from his convalescent patients, leveled the marshy grounds of the selected spot and built a bamboo-and-nipa house with two big wards measuring about 300 sq. meters each.

The Walled City, Intramuros along Calle Real and Calle Legaspi, in a block near the San Francisco Church was occupied by then, Little Hospital of Santa Ana which after more than 78 years was named as Hospital de San Juan de Dios for around three centuries and a half.

The Little Hospital of Santa Ana (the first name of the San Juan de Dios Hospital) was founded almost two centuries before the first regular hospital in the English colonies of America like the Pennsylvania Hospital which was founded in 1751. The Hospital de San Juan de Dios, now, San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation Inc., is the most ancient Catholic institution existing in the Philippines and North America.

Three Franciscan priests and four Lay brothers managed the hospital for Filipino patients. The Hospital received the sick from nearby provinces.

The first bamboo-and-nipa hospital was destroyed by fire. Brother Juan Clemente built another building in the same site through the help of pious and charitable people of Manila.

Fray Juan Fernandez de Leon of Lisboa, a Franciscan friar was admitted in the hospital. He was cured of his ailment but became an invalid for life. He decided to stay in the hospital to render the spiritual services to the sick, and later became the first Hospital Chaplain.

Building of a third ward through the personal finances and begging for funds of Fray Juan Fernandez de Leon.

The Organization of the Confraternity of Mercy (SANTA HERMANDAD DE LA MISERICORDIA) solicited financial support for the hospital.

The Santa Hermandad took charge of the hospital administration.

The work of the humble Fray Juan Clemente had been maintained through private initiative and began to be solidly established under public auspices as a pious foundation of the Church.

The humble Fray Juan Clemente at the age of 74, twenty years of which he spent in the study of medicinal and therapeutic plants with which he cured and assisted so many indigent patients in whom he served so lovingly his Crucified Jesus, left this world in the peace of the Lord.

The hospital was burned for the second time. The lot of the burned hospital was given to Santa Hermandad de la Misericordia which was used to erect the third hospital building which was called La Santa Misericordia with its management under Santa Hermandad.

The hospital of La Santa Misericordia was totally destroyed by an earthquake; resources were crippled, and charitable works were forced to stop for a time.

The hospital management was turned-over to the religious Brothers of the Order of St. John of God.

Reconstruction of the hospital was done and came to be known as Hospital de San Juan de Dios. There were four hospital wards namely: Nuestra Señora de los

Dolores with 70 beds for males, Nuestro Padre San Juan de Dios with 30 beds for females, San Joaquin with 7 beds for foreigners, and Nuestro Padre de Jesus with 8 beds for distinguished personages.

Arrival of the Superior of the Order, Fray Antonio Arce who paved the way for the hospital’s success.

A splendid church and excellent wards were constructed; the glory and fame of the hospital became well known all over the country.

A second strong earthquake hit the hospital and its chapel, leaving the building almost completely ruined. The maintenance of the hospital became a real burden to the Order of St. John of God, and the need to change the administration became imperative.

Queen Isabela II of Spain issued a Royal Decree to turn over the administration of the hospital to the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

The Supreme Government ordered the transfer of the religious order to Cavite. The Hospital administration was temporarily entrusted to a Board of Inspectors.

In conformity with the Royal decree of Queen Isabela II of Spain, the Board of Inspectors turned over the hospital administration to the three Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Sr. Francisca Villanueva, D.C. was the first Sister Superior of the pioneer D.C. community of the Hospital de San Juan de Dios. She was one of the organizers of a Bazaar of Charity (Charity Fair) in 1867 to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the Hospital as well as a second Bazaar of Charity in 1875 to complete the works of reparation.

Another earthquake destroyed both the original and repaired portions of the hospital.

The entire hospital building was fully restored. There were two wards for Spaniards and foreigners with 30 beds; a medical ward, called San Rafael with 90 beds; a surgery department with 65 beds; medical and surgical wards for women with 75 beds; at the ground floor, two wards of the Bilibid Prisons with 80 beds and two isolation wards for contagious diseases with 25 beds. Minimum number of admissions was 327 patients but sometimes up to 462 patients were cared for.

During the term of Sr. Martina Gracia, DC, the nurses began to join the Association of Children of Mary Immaculate.

Passing of the resolution for the opening of a School of Nursing under the management of the Hospital Board by the Board of Inspectors and Executive Board thru the initiative of Dr. Benito Valdez.

The opening of the School of Nursing under the auspices of the Daughters of Charity, with Dr. Benito Valdez as Administrator/Principal and Hospital Director. By then, Hospital de San Juan de Dios was the second largest general hospital and the largest private hospital in the country.

The School of Nursing of Hospital de San Juan de Dios offered a three-year course leading to the title of Graduate in Nursing (G.N.).

Due to the strict implementation of its retention policy, only three of its first five students graduated.

Remodeling of the Hospital premises began. A number of private wards were divided into two sections, one for men and another for women.

Dr. Gregorio Singian was appointed Hospital Director. New and further improvements were introduced under his supervision.

Sr. Teresa Vilatela, DC came to the Hospital as Director of Nurses. The School of Nursing admitted 130 students that year. The facilities of Hospital de San Juan de Dios served as an affiliating agency for the University of Sto. Tomas College of Medicine and Surgery, which flourished and once again made the hospital well-known.

Dr. Vicente Cavanna, Director of the Bureau of Health was admitted to the hospital.

Sr. Taciana Triñanes, DC was appointed Principal and Directress of the School of Nursing till the outbreak of World War II. San Juan de Dios School of Nursing gained reputation of being the best training school in the Islands during the pre-war days.

Through Dr. Singian, the reconstruction of the pharmacy, the kitchen and the Central Service began.

New Operating Room was reconstructed; X-ray Department and a Clinical Laboratory were equipped with the most modern apparatus.

Inauguration of the new annex for charity patients.

The Hospital became the second largest general hospital in the Philippines with 283 beds capacity; 87 for pay wards and 196 for the free wards. The free wards were divided into ten departments: four wards of 60 beds for general surgical patients; one with 14 beds for gynecological patients; one with 10 beds for eye, ear, nose and throat cases; two for general medicine; one with 36 beds for obstetrics; and one with 36 beds for pediatrics.

The Department of Obstetrics maintained free service for outpatients. The pay ward had seven sections besides nine special rooms. There were four operating rooms: for emergency cases, for major cases, for minor treatments, and for eye, ear, nose and throat cases. The Department of Pathology equally rendered service to both pay and charity patients. In general, the charity wards occupied the major part of the Hospital.

A cancer center was established in the Hospital.

Dr. Jose Ma. Delgado, Chairman of the Board of Medical Examiners, succeeded Dr. Singian after the latter’s Christian death in January 29, 1937.

The School had an enrollment of 150 students.

Dr. Augusto J.D. Cortes, a member of the Board of Trustees, was appointed Director of the Hospital

The Hospital was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Forces for six months.

Hospital de San Juan de Dios continued its work of mercy by keeping a public dispensary open to general public free of charge.

The Daughters of Charity continued their valuable nursing work in the UST Hospital while the Hospital de San Juan de Dios was still closed. Nursing students from Hospital de San Juan de Dios School of Nursing and other institutions during the outbreak of war were recalled and the School of Nursing was started.

Liberation of Manila left the hospital completely ruined.

Sr. Taciana Triñanes, DC was appointed to open the College of Nursing and placed it under the administration of UST.

The School of Nursing of Hospital de San Juan de Dios became non-operational.

Rebuilding of Hospital de San Juan de Dios on a newly- purchased lot at 54 Dewey Blvd., now President Roxas Blvd., Pasay City; new and up-to-date equipment were purchased from the United States.

Inauguration of the new building of Hospital de San Juan de Dios with Dr. Augusto Cortes as Medical Director. His term lasted until September 5, 1960.

Statistics showed that 36,863 sick people were attended to by the Hospital from its inauguration date up to Dec. 12, 1961.

Re-establishment of the School of Nursing with Sr. Taciana Triñanes DC as Directress. Forty students were enrolled.

Construction of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services and Nurses’ Dormitory.

A post-war DC Community was formally established.

Nurses Home was built.

Dr. Jesus M. Tan was appointed as Director of the Hospital de San Juan de Dios.

One hundred seven students were admitted in the school.

More patients were accommodated in the fourth floor of the Hospital. Los Angeles - free pediatric ward was opened.

Appointment of Sr. Consorcia delos Reyes, DC as School Director

Opening of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology with Dr. Raul Sunico, Chief Pathologist, as the first BSMT Dean.

Opening of the Liberal Arts course with Mrs. Fe Guevarra as Dean.

Government recognition was granted to the BSMT program and the degree of BSMT was conferred to the first batch of graduates.

Conversion of School of Nursing to San Juan de Dios College which has responded to the needs and challenges of its specialized courses BS Nursing and BS Medical Technology.

The organizational set-up was revised, making the Daughters of Charity full administrators of the Hospital and College.

Four Clinical departments were opened and residency training programs were developed.

Dr. Augusto Camara was installed as new Medical Director

Latest improvements have been the permanent services of a Special Care Unit; fully air-conditioned Emergency Room with pipe-in oxygen and suction apparatus; and Obstetrical-Gynecological suites.

Hospital de San Juan De Dios and San Juan De Dios College adopted the name: SAN JUAN DE DIOS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

Inauguration of the newly constructed three-storey college building.

Approval was granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the Hospital de San Juan de Dios and San Juan de Dios College to become the San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

Installation of Sr. Paz T. Marfori, DC as the first President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

Installation of Sr. Heidi Facto, DC as second President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Incorporated (SJDEFI).

Opening of the five-year Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy with Dr. Bee Giok Tan-Sales as the first Dean.

The four-storey St. Louise de Marillac Building was constructed.

SJDEFI Grand Celebration of the 5th Birth Centenary (1495-1995) of St. John of God, the Titular Patron Saint of SJDEFI.

Installation of Sr. Carmen Jimenez, DC as the third President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

Installation of Sr. Dolores Cornejo, DC as fourth President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

Installation of Sr. Asuncion Evidente, DC as fifth President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

SJDEFI Hospital was granted International Certification in Comprehensive Quality Management (ISO 9001:2000) and became Asia’s First Hospital to be certified with the most comprehensive ISO 9001:2000 for Quality Management, including its Medical Service Division.

St. Peregrine Oncology Unit was opened for oncology patients undergoing out-patient chemotherapy handled by four oncologists and two nurses.

Installation of Sr. Ma. Corazon Manalo, DC as sixth President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

The SJDEFI Hospital earned its Triple Certification in Health Care. It became the country’s first medical institution with TRIPLE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION ISO 9001:2000 (Quality); ISO 14001:1996 (Environment) and OHSAS 18001:1999 (Occupational Health and Safety) granted by the TUV Product Service of Germany.

Opening of six-storey Jaime Cardinal L. Sin (JCLS) building for service patients and four-storey St. Peregrine building to house its state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator Oncology Treatment Rooms, Oncologists’ Office Clinics and other facilities.

PAASCU Accreditation

Federacion Española de Religioso Socio-Sanitario (FERS) approved the implementation of the three projects namely: the alternative health facility, relevant non-traditional educational program, and recognition of culture and history.

SJDEFI – College was granted approval to accept Foreign Students in BS in Nursing, BS in Medical Technology & BS Physical Therapy by the Bureau of Immigration.

Inauguration of the five-storey alternative health facility known as the Fray Juan Clemente Holistic Health Center (FJCHHC) through a grant given by Federacion Española de Religioso Socio-Sanitario (FERS).

Completion and blessing of the Tanghalang Reyna Isabela II.

Installation of Sr. Josefina R. Quiachon, DC as the seventh President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

Opening of the two-year course in Hotel and Restaurant Services.

The hospital earned an upgraded Triple International Certification ISO 9001:2000 (Quality), ISO 14001:2004 (Environment) and OHSAS 18001:1999 (Occupational Health and Safety).

Formal Visit (BSN)

Recognition of St. Vincent de Paul Clinical Laboratory was given License to Operate by DOH.

Opening of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM).

Certificate of Registration was granted to SJDEFI- Hospital assessed and registered as complying with the requirements of the International Standards Certifications Pty. Ltd., Accredited by the joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand, Comprehensive Health Care including Design and Development ISO 9007:2008 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).

The SJDEFI College of Nursing was granted Level I Accreditation for three years (2009-2012) by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) certified by Federation of Accrediting Association of the Philippines (FAAP).

Opening of Technical Education & Skills Development Authority – Technical Vocational Education and Training (TESDA-TVET) Courses.

Certificate of Accreditation was granted to SJDEFI- Hospital by Virtue of the Powers and Authority vested on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation by the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 as Center of Excellence (Level 4 Hospital with 230 beds), valid from May 2010 to April 2013.

Triple ISO Re-Certification of Registration granted to SJDEFI-Hospital

The SJDEFI College of Nursing was granted Level II Accreditation for five years (2012-2017) by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

The SJDEFI College of Physical Therapy was granted Level I Accreditation for three years (2012-2015) by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

Grand Centennial Celebration of the College of Nursing.

Installation of Sister Josie B. Onag, DC as the 8th President of San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI).

Signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as Training Center of the 4P’s Beneficiaries.

Scholarship Grants to 14 employees for TESDA Courses: Massage Therapy NC II; Thirteen for Teachers Certification Program (TCP) in consortium with Santa Isabel College, Manila.

Our Lady’s Cafeteria became part of the College.

Permit to offer Senior High School Program was granted by the Department of Education.

Offering of Marillac Grant Program to poor but deserving college students. Forty college students availed of the said scholarship.

Blessing of the newly renovated Archives, Board Room and Institutional Research Board (IRB) Office.

Opening of the Senior High School Department with Dr. Apolonia Parreño–Reynoso as the first Principal.

Three hundred thirty students enrolled in the Senior High School Department.

Appointment of Dr. Chona Marcelo–Hernandez as the first lay Vice President for Education.

Blessing of the renovated Hospital 3rd floor as the College Annex building.

Senior High School enrollment increased to 814 students.

The Nursing program has been granted PAASCU re–accreditation (Level II) for five years valid until November 2022.

The Physical Therapy program has been granted re– accreditation for five years valid until November, 2022.

The Hotel and Restaurant Management program passed the preliminary survey.

Grand Celebration of the 150th Daughters of Charity Presence and Service in SJDEFI.

The first Senior High School Commencement Exercises.

Adoption of a new Academic calendar: First Semester – August to December; Second Semester – January to May.

SJDEFI – Hospital was granted authority to accept Foreign Students by the Bureau of Immigration with respect to its internship, post graduate internship and residency training in medicine.

Change in nomenclature from Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management to Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.

Opening of the two new programs, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Science in Office Administration with Mr. Rogel D. Gean, MBA and Dr. Marlyn Mabalot as Program Chairs, respectively.

PAASCU formal visit to Hospitality Management

Granting of Level I PAASCU Accreditation Status to Hospitality Management

Total lockdown of academic institutions and all sector of the society in the country and in the world. Delivery of instructions shifted to online mode.

Granting of limited F2F to allied health programs. Granting of Safety Seal Certification from CHED.

Government recognition for Entrepreneurship and Office Administration

Granting of candidate status to the College of Medical Technology by PAASCU.

Implementation of F2F classes for Senior High School.

Launching of DC SLMES logo

Schedule of PAASCU visit to Allied Health Programs and Hospitality Management.