Dr Fortunato Cristobal

Dr Fortunato Cristobal is known both in local and international circuits as an outstanding and inspiring visionary, innovator, and leader. He is a fellow in Pediatric Gastroenterology and has a Masters degree in Public Health and Health Professions Education. In his role as Dean of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine (since 1994) he is credited with forming the school’s curriculum into a global model for other medical schools such as the Family Medicine Specialist Program of Laos University of Health Sciences and the undergraduate medical program of the Patan Academy of Health Sciences in Nepal.

Dr. Cristobal has been known as a catalyst for enhancing research capacity/training and evidence-based policies and decision making in Western Mindanao, Philippines. He has been involved in many international collaborative research projects and is the Nominated Principal Investigator for the Community Health Assessment Program in the Philippines (CHAP-P).

His contribution in fostering health promotions, disease prevention and innovations in medical education in Western Mindanao and beyond, have earned him many national and international awards and distinctions, including the first national Award for Outstanding Community Pediatrician in the Philippines, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s highest honor, the Pro Deo Et Patria award in 2005, The Sir Ewen Waterman Foundation Fellow in Medical Education (2009), (Australia), The Trophy of Honor of the Most Outstanding Physician for the Academe Category by the Philippine Medical Association (2012), Special Award for Excellence in Health Professional Education (Thailand) 2014, and the Charles Boelen International Social Accountability Award (2018), Canada.