Biography

Dr. Catherine Teh is an internationally recognized expert in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery and a pioneer in modern liver and minimally invasive surgery. Currently, she serves the Chief of HPB surgery and Liver Transplantation at Makati Medical Center and as the Chief Innovation Officer at Great Valley Medical Center (GVMC), where she leads digital transformation and data-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety, quality care, and operational excellence. As a founding member of the Institute for Advancing (Health)Care Transformation (iACT) at GVMC, Dr. Teh plays a central role in developing transformational healthcare models that focus on person-centeredness, patient safety, quality improvement, clinical innovation, and the adoption of multidisciplinary team approaches.

Her background on data management and digital innovation dates back to 1994 where she began interest in technology where she designed and published the first ever Philippine College of Surgeons website and continued to develop her own clinic EMR in 2003. In 2010, she developed the Asian liver mets registry used by 13 Asian countries. In 2017, she collaborated with a start up company and developed MedCheck, an outpatient EMR which has now expanded to data registry systems and beyond.

Apart from a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Medical Degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Dr. Teh holds prestigious academic credentials, having graduated with a Diploma in Healthcare Leadership and Management from Harvard Medical School in 2018, where she capped off as the class speaker and in 2021, a Diploma in Health Economics from the Development Academy of the Philippines, In 2023, she earned her Master of Science in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors with merit from the University of Edinburgh. Her educational background fortifies her expertise in advancing patient safety and implementing quality improvement projects in healthcare settings.

Her extensive experience was the guiding force during the pandemic where she orchestrated and developed pathways and processes for the National Kidney & Transplant Institute and Makati Medical Center operating rooms and conducted several training workshops for healthcare workers safety during the pandemic at a national level, collaborating with Philippine College of Surgeons and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.

 

Leadership Roles in Professional Societies

Dr. Teh’s passion for improving cancer care is evidenced by her instrumental role in the passage of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (RA11215) in the Philippines, which underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary tumor board approach in cancer treatment. As Chair of the Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission, she continues to elevate cancer care standards across the country with various projects and programs focused on multi-sectoral engagement, multidisciplinary team approach and inclusive excellence.

Dr. Teh holds numerous leadership positions in professional organizations, underscoring her influence in both regional and global medical communities. She takes pride in co-founding the Philippine Association of HPB Surgeons (PAHPBS) and served as the President from 2020-2021. As a director of the Philippine Association of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeons, where she advocates for the ZERO Bile Duct Injury project, going from North to South of the Philippines demonstrating and conducting workshops and outreach for patient safety, teaching team work and proper safety standards to avoid biliary injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomies aiming to reduce surgical complications. As an innovator and early adopter of fluorescence-guided surgery using indocyanine green, Dr. Teh has significantly advanced the safety and quality of HPB surgeries in the region.

Her leadership extends globally as she founded the ASEAN Laparoscopic Hepatopancreatobiliary Council (ASEAN LHC) and served as it President from 2020 to 2023. She is the incumbent President of the International Society of Fluorescence Guided Surgery (ISFGS), Asia- Pacific Chapter. As a founding member of the International Laparoscopic Liver Surgery Society (ILLS), she is the only female executive council member, advocating for minimally invasive surgery and fluorescence-guided techniques worldwide. She is a member of the International HPB Association (IHPBA) council and sits in the board of the IHPBA foundation.

 

SMA Foundation and Advocacy

Dr. Teh is the founder and President of the Samahang Minamahal ang Atay (SMA) Foundation, which plays a crucial role in bridging the gap in healthcare access for indigent patients who require complex liver surgeries and transplants. The foundation was established with the mission to provide life-saving treatment to those who cannot afford these procedures, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent patients from receiving the critical care they need.

Beyond providing financial assistance to patients, the SMA Foundation also supports young surgeons in pursuing specialized training abroad, particularly in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. This initiative is designed to cultivate the next generation of experts in liver surgery, by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to advance the field in the Philippines and beyond. By sponsoring these surgeons’ further education, the SMA Foundation is ensuring that cutting-edge surgical techniques and best practices are brought back to the local healthcare system, enhancing both the quality and accessibility of HPB surgical care.

Dr. Teh has been instrumental in organising and participating in outreach programs and medical missions through various agencies. These missions bring specialized care to underserved communities, where access to expert surgical services is limited. The outreach programs are focused on addressing the needs of patients, and also aim to increase awareness and education around liver health and cancer prevention. Through these programs, Dr. Teh continues to embody her commitment to improving healthcare equity and fostering excellence in the next generation of medical professionals.

 

Editorial and Peer Review Contributions

Dr. Teh is highly regarded in the academic and scientific communities for her contributions as an editor and peer reviewer. She is a member of the editorial board for prestigious journals such as the “British Journal of Surgery”, “World Journal of Surgery”, “Surgery”, “ALES”, “HCC” and “Frontiers”, regularly reviewing and contributing to key scientific advancements in the field of surgery. She remains to be a peer reviewer of the Annals of Surgery, HPB and other high impact journals, a contributor and council member for the “NEJM Catalyst” since 2019. Her insights have shaped numerous articles, and her peer reviews are recognized for their thoroughness and commitment to improving surgical practices and patient care. She is also the editor in chief of the “Annals of Philippine HPB Surgery” founded in 2021.

 

Recognitions and Awards

Dr. Teh’s exemplary leadership and expertise have earned her numerous prestigious awards since 2012, to cite a few, the more recent awards and recognitions in the last 5 years include:

1. People Asia Woman of Style & Substance Awardee 2025
2. Tatler Front & Female Awardee for Well being 2025
3. Honorary Fellow of the European Association of Surgeons (2025)
4. Honorary Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (2024), marking her
exceptional global influence.
5. UST TOTAL Award for Medicine (2024), the highest honor from the University of
Santo Tomas for her exemplary contributions to medicine.
6. Rotary Golden Wheel Award for Modern Medicine and Surgery (2024), honoring
her groundbreaking work in HPB surgery and advocacy for diversity, inclusion,
and women in surgery.
7. Top 3% Global Research Scientist (2024) by the AD Scientific Index, cementing
her status as a leading global researcher in her field.
8. Best of the Philippines Doctor (2024), featured in *His Excellency* for her
remarkable contributions to surgery and medicine.
9. Les Compagnons Hépato-Biliaires (2023), recognizing her as a global leader in
HPB surgery.
10.Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) Award (2022)** for her outstanding contributions to HPB surgery in the Philippines and Asia.
11.IASGO Leadership Award (2019) for her global contributions to cancer care, awarded by the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists
12.Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (2018), the first Filipina to receive this honor.
13. Most Outstanding Jubilarian of the Year 2018 presented by the UST Medical Alumni Association of America
14. UST THOMAS (Thomasian Outstanding Medical Alumni Service awardee 2018)
for Leadership in Public health and other health related services given by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas
15. Most Influential Filipina in the World Award (2017) by the Filipina Women Network, recognising her as a thought leader.

 

Educational Contributions and Global Influence

A dedicated educator, Dr. Teh is a clinical faculty at the Chinese General Hospital College of Medicine and San Beda University College of Medicine, a visiting professor at the Asian Institute of Telesurgery, Taiwan and tutors at the University of Edinburgh in the MSc for Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors. She has delivered over 180 international lectures and remains a sought-after speaker for her expertise in HPB surgery, patient safety, and the role of women in surgery. Her work in telemedicine, as co-founder and President of the “Telemedicine Network of the Philippines” (TNP), continues to expand surgical education both locally and internationally. Dr Teh is the only recognised faculty from the Philippines on NOTSS – Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons which is a global program of the Royal College of Surgeons to enhance patient safety and teamwork by conducting workshops and teaching surgeons non-technical skills. She is also a certified surgical coach from the The Academy of Surgical Coaching since 2021. Her publications and research have earned her a spot among the top researchers globally, furthering her influence in shaping the future of HPB surgery, cancer care, and patient safety. Dr. Teh’s trailblazing efforts, commitment to inclusive excellence, and passion for driving forward clinical innovation and patient safety make her an inspiring leader in the Philippines and on the globally.