17 February 2014 - Dra. Jerilyn Tan Balonan, the first and only Filipina licensed to practice medicine in Italy and the European Union (EU) to date, conducted a health and wellness lecture entitled, “PINOY KALUSUGAN SA ITALYA,” on february 13 at the Philippine Embassy in Rome.

Dr. Balonan studied medicine at the University Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila and the Università di Tor Vergata in Rome.  She graduated from UST in 2006 (Doctor of Medicine) and in 2008 went to Rome to further study medicine at the Tor Vergata University.  She obtained her license to practice as a medical doctor in Italy and the EU in 2011.

On January 14, she personally called on Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. to introduce herself and her thesis on medical, social and occupational conditions of Filipinos in Italy.

During her lecture before the Filipino community, Dr. Balonan noted that the language barrier is among the major causes why Filipinos in Italy are unable to obtain a full and comprehensive healthcare.

Members of the Filipino community in Italy, as well as Embassy staff, actively participated in the lecture, asking Dr. Balonan a range of questions from the proper diet, exercise, and other means to prevent diseases.

Dr. Balonan currently holds clinic at Via Alberico Crescitelli 90 Int. 4, 00125 Rome, with contact numbers 0644235600 and 3270916719. END