The Saint Louis University – Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU-SHMC) welcomed the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) for a benchmarking activity, mainly on account of the Safe Hospital Award earned by the former in 2024. The visit was held on 23 May 2025.
Dr. Paul Adlai B. Quitiquit, the Hospital Administrator, stated the importance of the activity in improving and appreciating the best practices of SHMC. The benchmarking, he said, was because of SHMC’s “programs, advocacies on being a safe hospital and being environmentally friendly, sustainable with social involvement and good governance.” Dr. Quitquit also thanked the association for appreciating the hospital’s efforts in providing quality healthcare by being awarded the Level III – Grand Prize of Safe Hospital Award in November 2024 at the 45th Annual PHAPi Convention.
Also, Dr. Quitiquit reiterated the impact of the benchmarking not just on the hospital but also on the community. “When you share your best practices to other hospitals, it is not us who will be reaping the benefits, but ultimately, it will be our patients,” he remarked.
The officials who came to visit included PHAPi’s board of directors, namely the President, Dr. Jose Rene De Grano; Auditor, Dr. Margarito Hernandez; and Director, Dr. Ricardo Adriano. Together with PHAPi’s national officers, the Lacasandile Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center staff toured around the SHMC to showcase its facilities and services.
SLU-SHMC Medical Director Dr. Danilo Flores officially closed the activity by stating, “I hope you appreciate our best practices. Actually, the development of this hospital was very fast….” He also expressed his gratitude for the support of SLU’s administration under the leadership of its President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD.
Through this benchmarking activity, SLU-SHMC strengthened its partnerships and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 8 (Decent work and Economic growth), 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the goals). (Article by Ydelvess Faith Morales, UIO Intern | Photos by Michael John Dadd, UIO Intern)
