SPMC chief named DOH exec

“Dr. Leopoldo Vega (has) been appointed by President Duterte as Health Undersecretary,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message sent to Palace reporters late Friday. (File photo: Southern Philippines Medical Center – Official/Facebook)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has tapped Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) chief, Dr. Leopoldo Vega, as an undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH), Malacañang has announced.

“Dr. Leopoldo Vega (has) been appointed by President Duterte as Health Undersecretary,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message sent to Palace reporters late Friday.

Roque did not mention when Duterte appointed Vega.

Malacañang also has yet to release a copy of Vega’s appointment paper.

Before his new stint, Vega was the head of SPMC, a state-owned hospital in Davao City, which is also known as the Davao Medical Center.

From 2004 to 2008, he served as medical director of the Davao Medical School Foundation.

Vega earned his Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from the Ateneo de Manila University. He then earned his medical degree from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in 1979.

In 1987, he completed a fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Philippine Heart Center.

Vega also earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Health from the Ateneo de Manila Professional Schools in Rockwell Center in 2010.