We meet Raymond L. Rosales, Head of Neuromuscular Unit, professor and academic researcher at University of Santo Tomas and Hospital, Philippines.

Myology Expert: Raymond L. Rosales, MD, PhD

Affiliation:  The Neuroscience Institute and The Research Center for Health Sciences, 
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas and Hospital

Position: Head of Neuromuscular Unit, Full Professor and Academic Researcher. President of the Asian Oceanian Myology Centre.

What Education and training did you have to arrive at your current position? 

Residency Training in Neurology; PhD in Neuroscience; Basic and Clinical Research 

What led you to follow a career in the field of myology in particular?

Fellowship in Muscle and Nerve Subspecialty: Clinical assessment, Neurophysiologic techniques and Pathology of biopsied muscle and nerve.

What is your current research or clinical interest in myology?

Clinical studies in Inflammatory Myopathies, Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies and Motor Neuron Disorders.

What are you passionate about developing a neuromuscular centre in your geographical area?

I am passionate about fully developing a Neuromuscular Center aimed at education, diagnosis and treatment of muscle and nerve disorders in our locale; and expand by formulating a subspecialty training in collaboration with centers of excellence within (and even outside) our geographical domain.  

What is the nature of your work in your geographical area?

I am Currently President of the Asian and Oceanian Myology Center (AOMC); AOMC is a group of fellow experts that aim to educate and share experience on muscle disorders from the clinics to the laboratory. 

What are the regional challenges from the point of view of local doctors in the field of myology?

Regional Myology challenges are hinged mainly on expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders, considering the handful of sub-specialists in the field. Our Myology experts must hurdle and cover the entire spectrum of disorders across a wide region.

To support this far-reaching work, we have instigated regular educational courses, and through the AOMC, annual conventions - we are on our 20th event this year.

How does your work help patients in this region?

Patients appreciate how they are clinically approached, diagnosed and treated by experts. In effect, patients tend to search for similar disorders in the region and elsewhere to foster support from each other, as do their families and care givers.

What do you love most about working in your geographic area?

Working in our locale makes us, the experts, very close to our patients, as we manage their health issues first hand; Networking is my other attribute and this works effectively in delivering care to patients.

How do you see networking as a way to empower myologists?

The key to mending the gaps in expertise and patient reach is collaboration. What better way could this be realized than formulating a network? In addition, we at AOMC empower and shine a light on our expert members in their individual countries by letting them host our annual conventions, for scientific education and sharing of expertise.

Being part of WMS enables us to network with a global community of experts. We can develop best practice and compare work in our area to other regions.

What inspires you to continue working in your geographical area?

“Inspire” is the exact word that keeps us going for we have several unfinished tasks ranging from education and formulating best practices for the sake of our patients.

What is one unique fact about you that many other people do not know?

It's my passion to heal and reach as many afflicted patients as we have, amidst our local challenges.