PSN Mindanao
Maria Theresa Bad-ang MD
PSN Mindanao Chapter has blossomed as one of the most extensive and most cohesive chapters of the Philippine Society of Nephrology. It is composed of nephrologists from the different regions of Mindanao, namely the Davao Region, Northern Mindanao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCSARGEN, and the Caraga Region.
PSN Mindanao was officially recognized as a chapter of the PSN in 2004 and hosted the first midyear convention under Dr. Josefino Ramos as president. Since then, the chapter has organized the annual Kidney month awareness event for lay people, kidney patients, nurses, and doctors.
With the leadership of the PSN-Mindanao chapter presidents Dr. Noel Villanueva (2010-2011), Dr. Arnelia Bersales-Masendo (2012-2013), Dr. Sandra Oliveros (2014-2015), Dr. Jeanette Ybiernas (2016-2017), Dr. Philip Neri Lazo (2018-2019) Dr. Maria Theresa Bad-and (2020-2021) led to various accomplishments.
One of the flagship projects of the chapter is the provision of CME activities like medical fora in areas with very few or no Nephrologists like in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur (August 2012), and Zamboanga City (June 2013). We also celebrated WKD as a chapter in Siargao Island, Surigao in 2017, and Dakak, Dipolog in 2019.
Postgraduate courses were held in Davao City (March 2014), Cagayan de Oro City (September 2015), and General Santos City (September 2019). In addition, PSN Mindanao also conducted the Hemodialysis Congress (2016) and the Kidney Transplant Congress (2018) in Davao City.
PSN-Mindanao members showcased their talents and camaraderie as they participated in the different chapters’ dance competitions during the PSN Annual Convention and won three years winning streak (2012- Kadayawan, 2014-India, 2016-Kpop), earning the grand slam title.
Mindanao is not spared of calamities. It experienced the great earthquake in Kidapawan (October 2019) and typhoon Odette in 2021, disabling the dialysis units in the area but overcoming with the support of the PSN Mindanao members. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic made the members more cohesive as together drafted protocols, shared updates and guidelines even virtually during surges and vaccinations.
PSN-Mindanao was registered under SEC as a nonprofit organization in 2017 with a vision to be the leading organization for renal disease in the BIMP-EAGA region through education and sharing of expertise. It has proven unity and resilience with its foundation based on the good fellowship of nephrologists who value fun, friendship, and learning while venturing together to improve kidney disease in Mindanao.
