East Avenue Medical Center was once exclusive to members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Known then as the GSIS General Hospital when it opened in October 8, 1969, the institution was meant to be heaven sent for the 850,000 government employees in the face of prohibitive cost of health care, procedures, and professional fees.

Nine years later, The GSIS General Hospital opened its doors to non-GSIS members with its expanded patient services and the increased capacity to perform surgical procedures and cobalt treatment. Diagnostic exams available then were the latest technologies at that time. Its pool of physicians was augmented by medical specialists to cater to the increasing health care needs of its patients. The hospital gained recognition and recognition for its total hospital care and the post graduate medical training it offered.

The GSIS GH was dissolved on June 9, 1978. In its stead was created the Ospital ng Bagong Lipunan which was under the Ministry of Health by virtue of Presidential Decree 1411. The concept, structure and organization of the institution were amended to that of a government hospital concerned with treating diseases of patients from all sectors of society. The Medical Center became very much service oriented with 90% of its admissions being indigent patients from nearby cities and municipalities. Despite the change in statistics, this remains a major thrust of the institution up to the present time. However, this concept of “service above gain” led to the deterioration of facilities and equipment.

The country was not the only one energized following people power in 1986. The Government Hospital also was revitalized and was showered with pledges of resources, administrative support and budgetary assistance. A year after, general improvement was observed in most levels of the hospital’s function and activities. It was renamed East Avenue Medical Center with then Hospital Director Dr. Adriano Dela Paz – who had previously also chaired the Department of Internal Medicine when it was still GSIS GH. From then on, there was a concerted effort to further improve hospital services. Notable of which were: the upgrading of patient and health care delivery in both quality and quantity; continuing education and training of both professional and administrative staff; maintenance, repair and replacement of hospital facilities; and more vigorous programs for clinical investigators and research.

At the turn of the century, the East Avenue Medical Center stands out among its contemporaries in being a Department of Health accredited health facility. With a renewed mission, the hospital strives to render quality tertiary level heath care services to all patients, to provide training to medical and allied health professionals and to conduct relevant and bioethical research toward further enhancement of healthcare delivery. From its original 350 bed capacity, it has now been  licensed to a 1000 bed capacity with more than 50% are charity or service patients. Various renovations and constructions have happened at East Avenue Medical Center and many more projects are on the way.

The Department of Internal Medicine is by far the largest clinical department of the East Avenue Medical Center – consisting of 68 consultants from various subspecialties 40 residents, 8 fellows in training allied health professionals and administrative staff. The department continues its commitment to deliver the highest standards in medical management – from prevention, diagnosis to treatment – to patients coming under its care. Its residency training program was reaccredited by the Philippine College of Physicians in 2017. it shares the PCP’s vision of producing competent physicians with the highest standards and ethical ideals in the practice of internal medicine.

The department has produced exceptional internists committed to lifelong learning and service. Its graduates have found success in various subspecialties, pursuing different fields of interest (such as clinicians, clinical educators and administrators) and are spread across the country and abroad. It also produced its first topnotcher in the written examinations given by the Philippine Specialty Board of Internal Medicine last 2015.

Aside from residency training program, the department has been expanding its offerings to subspecialty training in gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology, nephrology, rheumatology, allergology and hematology. Hopefully in the future other sections like cardiology, infectious disease and geriatric medicine would be able to establish their own training programs to elevate the quality of service even further.