SM Foundation revamps educational clinic, strengthens commitment to health, education

With the refurbishment of the school-based clinic, SM Foundation and DepEd move closer to
providing accessible healthcare to students, teachers, and staff.

SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) has consistently invested in critical areas such as health and education to support the country in attaining inclusive growth. A testament to this commitment is the transformation of the medical and dental clinic at the Quezon City Schools Division Office (QC-SDO) of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The refurbished clinic, nestled behind the Annex Building of SM North EDSA, features state[1]of-the-art equipments and a welcoming environment for students, teachers, and staff.

The clinic will also serve as a platform for preventive healthcare, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging regular check-ups.

Building a healthier future

With 158 schools and over 436,000 students in public schools, along with 16,000 teachers, SDO Superintendent Dr. Carleen Sedilla shed light on the critical need for school[1]based health services. Its value is further highlighted as the country recorded increased cases of hand, foot, and mouth diseases (HFMD) among young students, along with the prevalence of other illnesses.

A DepEd employee undergoes free prenatal care in the newly refurbished medical and dental
clinic at the Quezon City Schools Division Office (QC-SDO).

With the development, the DepEd NCR is hopeful that they will become better equipped to provide extensive medical services to promote the positive impact of health on academic performance.

Meanwhile, Dr. Connie Gepanayao, Regional Medical Officer of DepEd National Capital Region said that the close relationship between the SM group and the SDO, facilitated by the proximity of their locations, has played a pivotal role in this collaboration.

(From left) SM North EDSA Mall Manager Miguel Gaspi, SM Supermalls Operations SAVP
Jocelyn Clarino, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs Connie
Angeles, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Carleen Sedilla, Regional Medical Officer of DepEd
National Capital Region Dr. Connie Gepanayao, and School and Governance & Operations
Division Chief Dr. Maria Teresa Namoro at the turnover ceremony of the newly refurbished
medical and dental clinic

“A healthy student is a happy student,” Dr. Gepanayao also said, optimistic that the clinic will also help make wellness an integral part of daily life and serve as a hub for community building, fostering connections among teachers, students, and their families, and strengthening the educational community as a whole.