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Professor Emeritus Tito P. Torralba, M.D. is a distinguished Physician, Educator, and Rheumatologist A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1955, placing 6th in the Philippine Medical Board Examination. Dr. Torralba completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at UST Hospital and pursued a Fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Dr. Torralba has held key academic and leadership roles, including Dean, UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery (1982–1988), Medical Director, UST Hospital (2001–2004), Chairman, Department of Medicine, USTFMS (1993-1995) , and Chief of Rheumatology at both USTH and Makati Medical Center. He was an active staff member of both hospitals, but this was cut short by the Covid pandemic. He also served as Chairman, Department of Medicine, Metropolitan Hospital (1985-1995). Notably, he had been President, Philippine Rheumatology Association (1972-1974, 1983-1985), President, Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) (1984-1988), President, Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (1983-1986), Founding President of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines. He was Fellow, American College of Rheumatology, Honorary Member of the Australian and Vietnam Rheumatology Associations.
An accomplished researcher, Dr. Torralba has contributed extensively to the understanding and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), gout, and osteoporosis, with numerous publications in high-impact journals. He has earned numerous prestigious awards, these would include the APLAR Masters Award, Most Distinguished Physician of the Philippine College of Physicians Award (Dr. Gonzalo F. Austria Award) 2000, Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award 2001, Philippine Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award 2002, Distinguished Internist (Physician) Award, Philippine College of Physicians 1983, APLAR Medal of Merit 1999, The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award (TOTAL) in Health-Medical 2001, Special Achievement Award, UST Medical Alumni Association (THOMAS) 2005, Outstanding Professional (Medicine), Professional Regulation Commission 2001, Distinguished Service Award, Philippine Medical Association 2002, Presidential Recognition Award, Philippine Medical Association 2000, Achievement Award, National Research Council of the Philippines 2004, Outstanding Scientific Paper Award (SLE), National Academy of Science & Technology 1998, Award of Recognition for Achievements in Medical Education, Association of Philippine Medical Colleges 2017.
He is married to Professor Lina de Dios, Past Chairman, Department of Dermatology, USTFMS, with four children, seven grandchildren.
As a passionate mentor and advocate for medical education, Dr. Torralba continues to inspire generations of physicians. In fact, he currently serves as Chairman, Board of Directors, Kaiser International Health Group Inc. and as Member, Board of Directors, Home Health Care Inc. His lifetime of dedication has cemented his legacy as a pioneer in Philippine Medicine and Rheumatology.
Degrees
Eligibility
Postgraduate Trainings
NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL POSITIONS:
ACADEMIC/HOSPITAL/ CORPORATE POSITIONS
Scientific publications:
1. Examination of synovial fluid as a diagnostic aid in arthritis Medical Clinics of North America 50(5):1281-93 October 1966 JL Hollander, A. Reginato, TP Torralba
2. Studies on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid joint iflammation Arthritis and Rheumatology Vol 9 No 5 October 1966 JL Hollander, H Fudenberg, A Rawson, N, Abelson, TP Torralba
3. Induction of proliferative synovitis in rabbits by intra-articular injection of immune complexes. Arthritis and Rheumatology10(1):44-52 March 1967 A Rawson, TP Torralba
4. The Filipino and Gout Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Vol 4 No 4 May 1975 TP Torralba, PB Sioson
5. Phil Journal of Internal Medicine Vol 32 N0 5 Sept-Oct 1994 (Dedicated issue – Original articles):
6. Tuberculosis among Filipino women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 26:628-634 December 1996 ST Navarra, EE Diy, C Arroyo, TP Torralba
7. Successful use of Diltiazem in calcinosis caused by connective tissue disease. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology 5:74-78 April 1999 TP Torralba, JL Yu, ST Navarra
8. Popliteal arterial hemorrhage in chronic renal failure patient with destructive arthropathy Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 5:224-227 August 1999 SV Navarra, LQ Llamado, TP Torralba
9. OSTA: A simple to identify Asian women at risk for osteoporosis Osteoporosis International 2001 LDH Koh, W Sedine, TP Torralba, et al
10. Normative bone mineral density values among Filipino women. APLAR Journal of Rheumatology 7:30-37 2004 TP Torralba, MT Ong, SV Navarra, SH Dy, SC Saavedra, CC Bermudez, LM Asis, LQ Llamado, JL Yu
11. The management of postmenopausal osteoporosis Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interaction 2005 P Delmas, TP Torralba et al
12. Validation of OSTA among Filipinos Osteoporosis International 16:1789-1793 2006 JL Yu, LQ LLamado, TP Torralba
13. A survey on clinical management of gout among Filipino physicians. Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine Mar-Apr 2008 L Hamijoyo, JL Yu, TP Torralba
14. Survey of vitamin D levels among postmenopausal Filipino women with osteoporosis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 12:225-229 Sept. 2009 A Razo, SV Navarra, JL Yu, TP Torralba
Outstanding Scientific Paper Award on SLE, National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) 1998 (Dedicated issue of the Phil Journal of Internal Medicine Sept-Oct 1994)
Original articles:
