The Adventist University of the Philippines College of Medicine (AUPCOM) received the Founding Pioneer in Lifestyle Medicine Award and prestigious awards during the 10th Annual Convention of the Philippine College of Lifestyle Medicine (PCLM), held September 29 to October 1, 2026, at Quest Plus Conference Center in Clark, Pampanga. The recognition affirmed AUPCOM’s pioneering role in lifestyle medicine education in the Philippines.

Under the theme “Bridging the Gap: From Clinical Practice Guidelines to Prescription Lifestyle Intervention,” the convention brought together healthcare professionals and advocates to advance the integration of evidence-based lifestyle interventions into clinical practice and community health.

Dr. Doris Mendoza, AUPCOM founding dean, received the Lifestyle Medicine Leadership and Legacy Award for her vision, leadership, and dedication to advancing lifestyle medicine. The award recognized her contributions to fostering excellence, inspiring healthcare professionals, and integrating lifestyle medicine into healthcare practice.

Dr. Jahnen Tanamal, meanwhile, received Academic Fellow status from the PCLM after meeting the requirements set by the college’s Committee on Education and Credentialing and Membership Council, with approval from its Board of Directors. She was also awarded the Lifestyle Medicine Trailblazer Award for pioneering efforts and innovative approaches in promoting and practicing Lifestyle Medicine, and the Most Outstanding Lifestyle Medicine Physician Award for excellence in patient care, holistic health outcomes, and overall contributions to the Lifestyle Medicine community in the Philippines.

Dr. Tanamal also moderated the Pre-Conference Workshop’s intensive session on Culinary Medicine: Cancer Survivorship, guiding discussions on the practical application of food as medicine for oncology patients. During the afternoon breakout sessions, she also moderated a robust, multi-specialty track that explored the intersection of Lifestyle Medicine with other disciplines. The sessions included LM-Endocrinology, LM-Oncology, and LM in OB-Gynecology, ensuring dynamic engagement between specialized medical speakers and delegates.

AUPCOM faculty members also earned recognition for their community engagement and research initiatives. Junior faculty members Dr. Paul Rothwell De Jesus, Dr. Liza II Torrico-De Jesus, Dr. Rhea Sheena Ayore, and Dr. Charmaine Ramos-Florece, along with Dr. Ronnie Tanamal, assistant professor, received the Community-Engaged Lifestyle Medicine Program Award for their project, “Wok the Talk: Bringing Plants to the Pan.”

Implemented under the Community-Engaged Lifestyle Medicine (CELM) initiative, the project promotes healthier food choices through practical, community-based nutrition education. It shows how lifestyle medicine principles can extend beyond clinical settings to encourage healthier habits and support community well-being.

The faculty members also presented research at the convention. Dr. Paul Rothwell De Jesus, Dr. Liza II Torrico-De Jesus, Dr. Charmaine Ramos-Florece, and Dr. Ronnie Tanamal were among those selected to present their study, “Effect of a Six-Week Structured Daily Walking Intervention on Perceived Stress and Sleep Quality Among Medical Students with Moderate to High Stress Levels: A Quasi-Experimental Study.” 

The study examined the effects of a structured walking intervention on perceived stress and sleep quality among medical students experiencing moderate to high stress levels. Its presentation highlighted the faculty’s engagement in research on practical, evidence-based approaches to health promotion and student well-being.

The convention also marked a professional milestone for four junior faculty members. The convention conferred Diplomate status in Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine on Dr. Paul Rothwell De Jesus, Dr. Liza II Torrico-De Jesus, Dr. Rhea Sheena Ayore, and Dr. Charmaine Ramos-Florece, recognizing their professional development in the field.

In addition to their research and community engagement work, AUPCOM faculty members participated in the convention academic program. Dr. Paul Rothwell De Jesus moderated the luncheon panel, “Blue Zone Project Philippines: Making the Healthy Choice the Default,” featuring Dr. Mechelle Palma, Dr. Doris Mendoza, and Dr. Ernie Medina.

These recognitions reflect AUPCOM’s continuing involvement in lifestyle medicine through professional development, research, and community engagement. “These awards are a beautiful reminder of the heavy, yet joyful, responsibility we bear: to continue championing disease reversal, compassionate care, and whole-person wellness. I return to my clinical practice deeply inspired and reinvigorated for the work ahead,” Dr. Tanamal testified.