Empowering future healers: Deaf awareness orientation and sign language session for Ateneo medical students

For over a decade, the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) has championed inclusivity in healthcare through its annual Deaf Awareness Orientation and Sign Language Session. Integrated into the Year Level 7 public health course, this program equips future physicians with essential skills to communicate effectively with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.

This session, coordinated by Dr Paulo Jose Lumicao and Dr Cherry Bernardo-Lazaro, is conducted in partnership with expert facilitators from the De La Salle University-College of St Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLSU-CSB SDEAS). Students are introduced to foundational sign language skills and key concepts of Deaf awareness, fostering a deeper understanding of Deaf culture.

This long-standing collaboration reflects ASMPH’s commitment to training healthcare professionals who prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in their practice. By empowering medical students with the tools to address diverse patient needs, the program ensures they are prepared to offer compassionate care to all individuals.

Through initiatives like the Deaf Awareness Orientation, ASMPH continues to shape a new generation of doctors dedicated to creating a healthcare system that serves everyone equitably.