Jose Pujalte Jr. Appointed New Philippine Health Secretary

MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. has been appointed as the newest member of the Marcos Cabinet, having been appointed as the replacement of Teodoro Herbosa in the Department of Health (DOH) secretary role. Pujalte earned his medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. READ: Jose Pujalte is Marcos’ new DOH secretary Pujalte joined the DOH in 1991 and completed his orthopedic residency at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1994. Since 2014, he has served as Medical Center Chief II of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, where he has led one of the Philippines’ premier specialty hospitals in orthopedic care while strengthening hospital operations and patient services. His father, Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, was the former director of the National Orthopedic Hospital. Moreover, the new DOH chief underwent advanced fellowship training in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, specializing in shoulder surgery, total joint reconstruction, spine surgery, and joint replacement. He is also a Fellow of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Pujalte founded the Philippine Shoulder Society and was a founding member of the Philippine Spine Society. He also served as one of the youngest presidents of the Philippine Orthopedic Association and later became president of the ASEAN Orthopedic Association. Since 2008, Pujalte has also been a Career Executive Service Eligible (CESE), meaning he completed all four stages of the rigorous CES eligibility process: a written examination, an assessment center, performance validation, and a board interview. /mr