Dr. Edgar H. Tan, a consistent honor student graduated Bachelor of Science major in Biology cum laude from Silliman University in 1982. A Faculty Silver Medal Awardee and graduated cum laude when he earned his Medical Degree from Cebu Doctors' College of Medicine in April of 1986.

He spent one year of post graduate internship at the prestigious Philippine General Hospital from May 1, 1986 to April 30, 1987 and subsequently passed his Philippine Medical Licensure Exam rank #15 in August of 1987. He pursued further training in Internal Medicine from 1989-1993 under the New York Medical College Program where he served as the Administrative Chief Medical Resident for one year. He subsequently did his Fellowship Training in Clinical/Invasive Cardiology under the consortium of Metropolitan & New York Medical College Program from 1993-1996. After his medical training in New York he practiced Internal Medicine/Invasive Cardiology in the State of South Carolina from 1996-1997 with privileges at Marlboro Park Hospital Bennettsville SC & McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence SC. He holds an active medical license in the State of South Carolina from 1996 up to the present. He decided to come back to Cebu and practice his profession starting February 1998. His foresight at keeping his US medical license active inspite of practicing medicine outside the US has come handy for US expats currently in the Philippines wanting medical care recognized by US HMO's.

Dr. Tan is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Cardiovascular Disease and Philippine College of Physicians. He is also trained and certified in the field of Nuclear Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology and Philippine College of Physicians. His extensive background comes handy by making available the highest standard of US quality medical care right in the heart of Cebu City.

He is affiliated with Cebu Doctors' University Hospital, where he is currently the Section Head of Cardiology Department. He is also affiliated with UCMed and Perpetual Succour Hospital. His practice includes General Internal Medicine & Adult Clinical/Interventional Cardiology. He has admitting privileges at the University of Cebu Medical Center, Cebu Doctors' University Hospital & Perpetual Succour Hospital.

His office is located at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital Medical Arts Building 1, Suite 203-B, OsmeƱa Blvd. Cebu City Philippines. His office hours are 9am-12pm Mon-Sat. and 2pm to 5pm except Wed. and Sat. Tel: (032) 412-5136.

Email:EdgarTan62@yahoo.com or EdgarTanMD@gmail.com

Sunday, April 28, 2013

The Healing Power of LOVE!

Scientific data and evidence supports the fact that  love  reduces stress, depression and anxiety, three major risk factors for heart disease.

Current data indicates that 30-35%  (about 1/3) of total mortality across the world are due to heart disease and stroke, six times more than infectious-related deaths.  This wealth of information makes it imperative  for doctors in stressing the importance of  not only adopting a healthy lifestyle but also making emphasis on  the positive impact that love can in order to stay healthy.

In one five-year study, 10,000 men at high risk of developing chest pains showed that men whose wives show them love have a lesser incidence of chest pains.  Another study of 1,400 men and women with coronary artery disease echoes the same positive impact of love and heart disease. After five years, 15% of those who were married or had a confidant were dead compared with 50% of those who were unmarried and had no confidant.

It is now generally believed  that love is indeed a powerful force to bring healing and if  given freely will heal not only the heart  but also heal the body. Spread love and  help heal the world one heart at a time.

Monday, March 04, 2013

Stem Cell Therapy: Fact? or Fiction?

Stem cells are the pluripotent cells responsible for healing and regeneration of the vaious organs that have been damaged like liver, skin and many more. It is present in the varous organs of our body and  has always been a subject of intense interest in the medical world for obvious reasons. While science can easily explain why cells or organs regenerate, it is very difficult to coax stem cells to become what we " scientists " want them to be. Just like anything else, it is easier said than done and it holds true for Stem cells as well.

The only medically approved and scientifically proven form of stem cell therapy to date is " Bone Marrow Transplantation " for patients suffering from various blood ailments like leukemia. Other than that, everything else that man wants the lay people to believe it can do is considered experimental and therefore of unproven benefit. These victims fall prey from friends giving them anecdotal claims of benefits from stem cell recipients. Have they not heard of  the word " Placebo effect? ", an effect where as much as 20-30% of patients may feel better even if they are not given real medicine?

We see a lot of patients fall for these unscrupulous medical practitioners promising rejuvenation as if they have finally solved the puzzle and the key to the fountain of youth. Typical patients include those that are elderly with a lot of money to splurge in the hope that they only lose money should it not work. These victims are victims of medical fraud much like " chelation for heart ailments " years back.....these would include the seemingly hopeless patients where medicine has reached the dead end and has nothing more to offer in terms of cure. 

To all patients considering stem cell therapy, I advise caution as this form of therapy is not scientifically proven and medical providers can't claim of any therapeutic benefit backed by randomized clinical trials at this time.  Until proven otherwise, I can only see " economics " as the main driving force for it's rapid growth in this country. This is not only unproven but also can be "potentially" harmful. 

To all medical professionals engaged in this form of therapy, I say to them, with the sincerest hope that they will remember our basic oath......our very own Hippocratic Oath we all subscribed to when we were sworn in as  Doctors of Medicine........that is...." To Do NO Harm ".