PAMANA PH
About Us
Our History
Founded in 2023, PAMANA PH is the performing arts medicine special interest group in the Philippines. With the initiative of DOST Balik Scientist Dr. Jennifer Yang, a rehabilitation medicine doctor and pianist, a team of medical and paramedical professionals were formed with the mission to create an environment promoting the best possible health for performing artists.
Our Team
Jennifer Marie Yang, MD
Jennifer Marie Yang is a physiatrist (Rehabilitation Medicine specialist) who obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in Manila. She then completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, followed by a fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Aside from being certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with subspecialty certification in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Dr. Yang also holds a Graduate Certificate in Performing Arts Medicine from Shenandoah University, Virginia, USA and a Master of Culture, Health and Medicine degree from the Australian National University in Canberra. Read more about Dr. Yang and her other academic interests such as the medical humanities, medical anthropology and linguistics in healthcare on her website https://jenniferyangmd.com
Frances Ann Carlos, MD, FPARM
Frances Ann Carlos is a physiatrist (Rehabilitation Medicine specialist). She completed her degree in Psychology at the University of the Philippines Diliman and obtained her Doctor of Medicine from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in Manila. She then pursued her residency training in Rehabilitation Medicine at the Philipppine General Hospital (PGH). In addition, she has a Master’s degree in Public Management, major in Health Systems and Development from the Development Academy of the Philippines. Her previous works included research on the musculoskeletal injuries among dancers in a ballet company in the Philippines. She is currently a consultant and faculty member of the PGH Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Her interests include community based rehabilitation, musculoskeletal ultrasound, electrodiagnostics, and performing arts medicine.
Ria Mikhaella Panis, MD
Ria Mikhaella Panis is the Chief Resident in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Philippine General Hospital. She completed the Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) program and acquired her Doctor of Medicine at the University of the Philippines Manila. Her previous works involve a study on dance movement therapy for autism spectrum disorder and promoting arts and inclusivity for the differently abled. Previously also having trained in classical and contemporary ballet during her early years, pursuing performing arts medicine has been a way to merge her love for medicine and love for dance.
Ma. Carissa Abelita, MD
Ma. Carissa Abelita is on her first year of training as a Rehabilitation Medicine resident in the Philippine General Hospital. She plans to do a study on the performance-related musculoskeletal problems of the musicians of the University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra, as part of her residency training. Her interest in performing arts medicine was influenced by her interest and passion for music. Carissa used to play the piano and the violin at a young age and also grew up with her grandmother who was a music teacher. Now that she is a Rehabilitation Medicine resident, she dreams of helping performance artists in excelling in their craft and in transforming lives through music.
Jeffrey Arboleda, MD, MBA
Jeffrey Arboleda is a Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Medicine fellow of the Philippine General Hospital and an Interventional Pain Medicine fellow of Korea University. He obtained his dual degree in Doctor of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration in Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. His interests include musculoskeletal ultrasound, motion analysis, technological innovations in rehabilitation medicine, sports and performing arts medicine. He envisions to make rehabilitation medicine accessible to Filipino athletes and performers of all levels.
Hannah Beatrice Rosales, OTRP
Hannah Beatrice Rosales is an occupational therapist. She completed her bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Santo Tomas and is currently practicing at the Philippine General Hospital. Hannah discovered her passion for theatre and the arts at an early age when she first learned how to play the piano and started acting in organization plays way back in grade school up until her early years at university. She envisions combining her occupational therapy expertise with her love for the performing arts by specializing in this field in the future and becoming a certified hand therapist, aiming to bring a holistic blend of therapeutic and artistic insights to enhance the well-being of individuals in the world of performing arts.