About PATACSI

The Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Incorporated (PATACSI) is the recognized specialty organization of Certified Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons in the Philippines. It is an official sub-specialty affiliate of both the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS). PATACSI is a duly recognized non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with its principal office located at Room 514, 5th Floor, Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The organization was inaugurated on 08 APRIL 1959, under the name Philippine Association of Thoracic Surgeons (PATS).

Denton A. Cooley, M.D.

The first Induction of Officers was held at the historic Club Filipino, with world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon DENTON A. COOLEY, M.D., serving as the Inducting Officer and first Honorary Fellow of PATS

Angel I. Reyes, M.D. – 1st PATS President

The pioneering officers included:

President: ANGEL I. REYES, M.D.
Vice President: CRISTINO LAZATIN, M.D.
Secretary-Treasurer: ADOLFO BAVIERA, M.D.
Council Members:

CLEMENTE CALMA, M.D.
BENJAMIN BELMONTE, M.D.

OSCAR JACINTO, M.D

Enrique M. Garcia, M.D.

ENRIQUE M. GARCIA, M.D., who would later become Secretary of Health, was elected as the PATS Second President.

During his term, the association saw significant membership growth. The annual PATACSI Memorial Lecture is named in his honor.

MILESTONES & ACHIEVEMENTS

1972 – Hosted the First Congress of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA), which was held at the Manila Hilton on 22-26 November 1972. ROMEO D. ZAMORA, M.D. – founding President of ATCSA

1974 – On 03 September 1974, the Philippine Association of Thoracic Surgeons (PATS) was officially incorporated with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with the following incorporators:

ENRIQUE M. GARCIA, M.D.
MANUEL PARIS, M.D.
ALFREDO BALDERRAMA, M.D.
CONSTANTE FIRME, M.D.
CESAR A. MILLAR, M.D.
PBTCVS Original Logo
ELENO MENCIAS, M.D.
ROMEO E. ESTRELLADO, M.D.

1976 – Establishment of the Philippine Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, (PBTCVS) an independent certifying body for Filipino thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons.

PATACSI Original Logo

1981 – to involve more members, the organization changed its name from PATS to the Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Incorporated (PATACSI). The name change for the same organization was formally recognized by the SEC on 30 April 1998.

AVENILO P. AVENURA, SR., M.D., the first Executive Director of the Philippine Heart Center for Asia, was the first President of the newly renamed PATACSI.

1984 – PATACSI celebrated its SILVER ANNIVERSARY, marking 25 years since its founding. The event was highlighted by the investiture of new diplomates, symbolizing the continued growth and professionalization of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in the Philippines. This milestone reaffirmed the association’s dedication to excellence in surgical training and certification.

1987 – A formal Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training Program was established at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), furthering the development of structured surgical education in the country.

1st PJTCVS edition

1994 – The first PATACSI Research Forum was held, and the official publication of PATACSI, the PHILIPPINE JOURNAL FOR THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCUAR SURGERY (PJTCVS), was launched.

1995 – Formed the TCVS CONSORTIUM under Dr. Federico Sanchez (JRRMMC) with Dr. Napoleon Y. De Guzman (VMMC) and Dr. Rafael Regino (AFPMC).

1996 – Conducted the first workshops on training and accreditation, facilitated by ROEL A.P. ROMERO, M.D., leading to the formulation of core procedural requirements for trainees.

Lung Center of the Philippines – aftermath of the fire

1996 – Opened the joint PATACSI–PBTCVS office at the Lung Center of the Philippines under the presidency of Dr. FERNANDO A. MELENDRES.

1998 – On May 16 at 2:20 AM, a tragic fire struck the Lung Center of the Philippines, claiming 11 lives. The PATACSI and PBTCVS offices were temporarily relocated to the 2nd floor of the Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center.

1998 – SEC officially recognized PATACSI’s name change from PATS on 30 April.

2002 – A reevaluation workshop on training accreditation procedures was conducted in Tagaytay on 2–3 March.

Health Sec. Duque with Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura, (Chairman, Organizing Committee, ATCSA 2015) & Dr. Romeo D. Zamora, President – ATCSA

2005 – PATACSI once again hosted the 17th BIENNIAL CONGRESS of the ASSOCIATION OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEONS OF ASIA (ATCSA) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, held from November 20 to 23, 2005.

The congress was attended by nearly 700 participants from 38 countries, with an impressive turnout of 50 out of 52 invited international speakers, making it a truly global and high-level academic event.

The event was graced by then-Philippine Health Secretary FRANCISCO T. DUQUE, III, M.D., representing national support for the advancement of cardiothoracic surgery

Denton A.Cooley, M.D., during ATCSA 2005

A highlight of the congress was the presence of DENTON A. COOLEY, M.D., world-renowned cardiac surgeon and the first FIRST HONORARY FELLOW and INDUCTING OFFICER of PATACSI in 1959, bringing the organization’s historical journey full circle.

2008 – A follow-up accreditation and training workshop was conducted and facilitated once again by ROEL A.P. ROMERO, M.D., at Tagaytay from 25 – 27 APRIL 2008 to formulate and revise the TCVS training requirements and its accreditation procedures.

PATACSI Accreditation and Training Workshop

50th PATACSI Founding Anniversary Celebration

2009 – A milestone year marking the 50th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF PATACSI celebrated at the Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura Hall of the Philippine Heart Center. The event was a night of recognition and gratitude, honoring all PATACSI Fellows and past presidents whose leadership and dedication have shaped the association over the past five decades.

1st PATACSI AVF Surgical Mission at Ospital ng Makati

In the same year (04 APRIL 2009) and in line with its mission to deliver compassionate and quality surgical care, PATACSI launched its FIRST ARTERIO-VENOUS FISTULA (AVF) SURGICAL MISSION, signaling the beginning of its sustained outreach initiatives to provide essential vascular access surgery to underserved patients.

Inauguration of the new PATACSI office on the 5th Floor of the Philippine Heart Center

2010 – PATACSI was officially granted its permanent office at Room 514, 5th Floor, Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center, through the support and initiative of GERARDO S. MANZO, M.D., then Assistant Medical Director. This marked a significant step in establishing a stable administrative base for the association’s growing operations and activities.

2012 – A landmark year for organizational capacity building, as PATACSI conducted its first strategic planning workshop, titled “ROADMAP TO UNITY AND EXCELLENCE.” Spearheaded by then-President EDMUND E. VILLAROMAN, M.D., this initiative aimed to reevaluate the association’s mission and vision, laying the foundation for sustainable growth and unity within the organization.

1st PATACSI Strategic Plannintion’s mission and vision, laying the foundation for sustainable growth and unity within the organization.

The workshop was held on SEPTEMBER 22–23, 2012, at Hotel Kimberly in Tagaytay, with MS. NINA CARANDANG serving as the resource person and facilitator. This marked PATACSI’s formal entry into structured long-term planning to address internal and external challenges and strengthen its institutional direction.

2015 – A pivotal year for both academic reform and international engagement in PATACSI’s history:

On 08 AUGUST 2015, a key workshop on implementing the FOCUSED (TRACKING) PROGRAM was held. The workshop finalized plans to adopt specialty tracks – CARDIAC, THORACIC, or VASCULAR SURGERY – to be implemented by each training institution based on their strengths and available resources.
- The congress fostered international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and regional camaraderie among thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons across Asia and beyond—further solidifying the Philippines’ status as a regional hub for surgical excellence.

From NOVEMBER 12 to 15, 2015, PATACSI proudly hosted, for the third time, the 25th ANNUAL CONGRESS of the ASSOCIATION OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEONS OF ASIA (ATCSA) at Mactan, Cebu, Philippines, with the theme: “WORKING TOGETHER, BEYOND BORDERS”
- The congress fostered international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and regional camaraderie among thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons across Asia and beyond—further solidifying the Philippines’ status as a regional hub for surgical excellence.

2017 – As part of its ongoing effort to enhance surgical education, PATACSI introduced a Tracking Curriculum, which provided distinct training pathways for Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, and Vascular Surgery.

This curriculum clearly defines core competencies for each specialty, ensuring that all graduates of TCVS programs are competent in performing standard procedures and capable of managing associated complications safely and independently.
This development marked a significant step forward in PATACSI’s commitment to producing well-rounded and highly skilled specialists in each field of thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgery.

PATACSI 60th Founding Anniversary

2019 – On its 60th Founding Anniversary, held in Puerto Princesa, the members voted to adopt the new name: “Philippine Association of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgeons, Inc.” This aligns with the new PATACSI Core Curriculum, which was implemented in 2017.

2023 – PATACSI was honored by the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) with the award for Most Outstanding Sub-Specialty Society. This recognition reflects PATACSI’s unwavering commitment to excellence in surgical education, research, professional development, and community service—further affirming its vital role in advancing Philippine surgery.

2025 – PATACSI is proud to serve as the host organization of the 33rd ANNUAL CONGRESS of the ASSOCIATION OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEONS OF ASIA (ATCSA), to be held on 21-23 NOVEMBER 2025 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila.

With the theme: “INNOVATIONS IN THORACIC, CARDIAC AND VASCULAR SURGERY,” the congress aims to showcase cutting-edge advancements, foster cross-border collaboration, and strengthen the global network of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons. This marks the fourth time the Philippines has hosted this prestigious event, reaffirming PATACSI’s leadership in the regional surgical community.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP (as of 2025)

176 Active Fellows (Senior and Regular Members)
10 Honorary Fellows
10 Diplomates
05 Candidate Members (graduates of accredited programs)
43 Resident Trainees (currently in training)

As PATACSI reflects on more than six decades of excellence, leadership, and service, it proudly honors the visionaries, mentors, and members who shaped its rich legacy. From its humble beginnings in 1959 to its recognition as a leading authority in thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgery in the region, PATACSI has remained steadfast in its mission to uphold the highest standards of surgical care, education, and compassion.

In the face of evolving challenges in healthcare and professional development, PATACSI commits to innovation, unity, and strategic growth, guided by a renewed vision and strengthened by the unwavering dedication of its fellows and future leaders.

With purpose rooted in the past and eyes firmly set on the future, PATACSI continues its journey—working together, beyond borders, for the Filipino patient and the global surgical community

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