CZARINA KATHERINE DELA CRUZ
Metro Manila, Philippines
Summary
Internationally trained medical doctor eligible for Provisional General Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand via the Examinations Registration Pathway. Brings over seven years of postgraduate experience, including five years of independent clinical practice as a General Practitioner and two years in undergraduate medical education. Experienced in the assessment and management of undifferentiated acute and chronic presentations as the first point of contact for patients, with a strong commitment to patient-centred, evidence-based care. Recognised for sound clinical judgement, effective communication, adaptability, and collaborative practice. Seeking structured prevocational training in New Zealand to further develop clinical practice while building a long-term career within a healthcare system that values equitable, community-based, and culturally safe care.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Practitioner - Occupational Health
Home Health Care Placements, Inc.
06.2024 - 06.2026
- Work as the sole clinician on site during night shifts, independently assessing and managing 20 to 30 patients per shift across a broad range of undifferentiated acute and chronic presentations in a company-based urgent care and occupational health setting.
- Perform focused history-taking and physical examination to formulate differential diagnoses and initiate management plans, ensuring appropriate follow-up and referral where indicated.
- Support clinical assessment using bedside observations, including pulse oximetry, capillary blood glucose measurement, and blood pressure monitoring, and request laboratory and imaging investigations through external providers, with results reviewed at follow-up.
- Provide initial assessment and management of acutely unwell patients, including oxygen therapy and pharmacological intervention, prior to arranging urgent transfer to the Emergency Department where required.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical documentation in accordance with data protection standards.
- Coordinate care with the on-site nurse and liaise with Human Resources to ensure clinical management aligns with company occupational health protocols.
- Deliver occupational health services, including fitness-for-work assessments and return-to-work evaluations.
General Practitioner
Maxicare Health Services, Inc.
06.2023 - 06.2026
- Independently assess and manage 30 to 40 patients per shift in a high-volume urgent care and primary care clinic, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of general practitioners and on-site specialists.
- Manage a broad range of undifferentiated acute and chronic presentations, continuously triaging and reprioritising patients according to clinical urgency across both scheduled and unscheduled appointments.
- Perform focused history-taking and physical examination to formulate differential diagnoses and initiate management plans, including safe prescribing and providing clear explanations of diagnoses, treatment, and follow-up to patients and their families.
- Request and interpret diagnostic investigations, including blood tests, urinalysis, electrocardiograms, and imaging, to support clinical decision-making.
- Recognise red flag symptoms and clinical deterioration, arranging appropriate escalation, urgent referrals, and specialist input to ensure timely and safe onward care.
- Coordinate care with on-site specialists, laboratory, and imaging services to facilitate efficient diagnosis and management.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation using the clinic's electronic medical record system.
- Contribute to service improvement through identifying opportunities to optimise clinical workflows, protocols, and documentation.
- Work flexibly, including extended hours, to meet service demands.
Clinical Observer
Royal Brompton Hospital
02.2026 - 03.2026
- Completed a one-month observership at the Royal Brompton Hospital, gaining direct exposure to NHS clinical practice and workflows.
- Attended ward rounds, outpatient clinics, multidisciplinary team meetings, and bronchoscopy procedures, observing clinical decision-making, patient management, and multidisciplinary coordination across the patient pathway from admission to discharge.
- Observed peri-procedural care within interventional pulmonology, including patient preparation, informed consent processes, and post-procedure management.
- Developed an understanding of NHS documentation standards, escalation protocols, and patient safety practices, including familiarisation with the EPIC electronic medical record system and NHS cancer referral pathways.
- Contributed to the planning phase of a clinical audit reviewing bronchoscopy pathway timelines, gaining practical insight into NHS clinical audit methodology and quality improvement processes.
General Practitioner
Cocolife Health Services Division
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Worked as the sole clinician on site during day shifts, independently assessing and managing 10 to 20 patients per shift across a broad range of undifferentiated acute and chronic presentations in a company-based urgent care and occupational health setting.
- Performed focused history-taking and physical examination to formulate differential diagnoses and initiate management plans, ensuring appropriate follow-up and referral where indicated.
- Supported clinical assessment using bedside observations and requested laboratory and imaging investigations through external providers, with results reviewed at follow-up.
- Provided initial assessment and management of acutely unwell patients, including stabilisation where appropriate, prior to arranging urgent transfer to the Emergency Department where required.
- Maintained accurate, timely, and confidential clinical documentation in accordance with data protection standards.
- Delivered occupational health services, including fitness-for-work assessments, return-to-work evaluations, and pre-employment medical examinations.
- Promoted preventive healthcare through patient education and workplace health and wellness initiative.
Clinical Instructor
St. George's University
07.2021 - 06.2023
- Delivered small-group teaching sessions to groups of 10 to 15 students across integrated medical modules.
- Facilitated academic support sessions and clinical case discussions, promoting clinical reasoning and critical thinking through guided questioning and active learning rather than didactic instruction.
- Conducted clinical skills teaching using standardised patients and high-fidelity simulation, covering history-taking, physical examination, and core procedural skills.
- Supervised and assessed students in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, providing structured formative and summative feedback.
- Delivered introductory ultrasound teaching, including familiarisation with ultrasound equipment, probe selection, image interpretation, and practical scanning techniques using standardised patients.
- Maintained Basic Life Support Instructor certification throughout tenure, supporting the delivery of clinical skills and resuscitation training.
- Contributed to student assessment through the development of case-based written examination questions and participation in formative and summative assessment processes.
- Participated in faculty development workshops focusing on facilitation skills, adult learning principles, and multiculturalism in medical education, adapting teaching approaches to meet the needs of a diverse international student cohort.
Emergency Department Physician
Angeles Medical Center
07.2020 - 05.2021
- Worked as one of three Emergency Department physicians providing 24-hour emergency care, collectively managing approximately 50 patients per shift across a broad range of undifferentiated medical, surgical, and trauma presentations, with consultant support available on call.
- Conducted triage and prioritisation of patients according to clinical urgency, performing focused history-taking and physical examination to formulate differential diagnoses and initiate timely management plans.
- Recognised and managed a broad range of acutely unwell patients across medical, surgical, and trauma presentations, delivering resuscitation and time-critical interventions, including emergency intubation, airway management, intravenous access, haemodynamic stabilisation, wound management, and suturing.
- Requested and interpreted diagnostic investigations, including blood tests, electrocardiograms, and imaging, to guide clinical decision-making.
- Responded to deteriorating ward and critical care patients across the hospital in addition to Emergency Department duties, independently assessing, stabilising, and initiating management before coordinating ongoing care with the responsible consultants and arranging transfer to higher-level facilities where required.
- Participated in interfacility patient transfers and ambulance accompaniment, ensuring safe continuity of care during transport.
- Worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including nursing, laboratory, and radiology services, to facilitate timely and effective patient management.
- Maintained accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation throughout all patient encounters.
Pathology Resident (Registrar-equivalent)
St. Luke's Medical Center - Quezon City
01.2020 - 06.2020
- Undertook a six-month residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, gaining experience in histopathology, cytology, and laboratory medicine within a large tertiary teaching hospital.
- Grossed and processed surgical specimens, including biopsies, under consultant supervision, contributing to histopathological diagnosis.
- Reviewed and interpreted histopathology and cytology slides alongside consultant pathologists, supporting diagnostic interpretation and report preparation.
- Interpreted laboratory investigations in Clinical Pathology to support clinical diagnosis and escalated critical results to the relevant clinical teams, ensuring timely intervention and patient safety.
- Correlated clinical and pathological findings to support diagnostic accuracy and patient management.
- Participated in departmental meetings, multidisciplinary case discussions, and slide review sessions as part of ongoing clinical and educational activities.
- Maintained compliance with laboratory safety protocols and quality assurance standards.
- Formally appointed as Clerks' and Interns' Monitor for the department, coordinating rotation schedules to ensure comprehensive exposure to both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, facilitating teaching during histopathology review sessions alongside consultant pathologists, supervising pathology report preparation by rotating medical clerks and interns, developing and administering exit examinations, and contributing to trainee assessment and grading.
Primary Care Physician
Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus
02.2019 - 08.2019
- Independently assessed and managed 60 to 80 patients per shift across a broad range of primary care consultations, health screenings, and executive health check-ups within a high-volume diagnostics and medical services facility.
- Performed focused history-taking and physical examination to formulate differential diagnoses and initiate management plans, ensuring appropriate follow-up and continuity of care.
- Requested and interpreted a wide range of diagnostic investigations, integrating results from comprehensive in-house laboratory and imaging services into clinical decision-making.
- Prescribed safely and developed management plans in partnership with patients, providing clear explanations of diagnoses, treatment options, and follow-up.
- Promoted preventive healthcare through patient education on lifestyle modification, medication adherence, disease prevention, and long-term condition monitoring.
- Performed occupational health assessments, including pre-employment medical examinations, annual physical examinations, and fitness-for-work assessments, preparing associated medical reports.
- Referred patients to appropriate specialists and healthcare facilities where indicated.
- Maintained accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in accordance with clinic protocols.
Emergency Department Physician
Angeles Medical Center
Philippines
11.2018 - 08.2019
- Worked as one of three Emergency Department physicians providing 24-hour emergency care, collectively managing approximately 50 patients per shift across a broad range of undifferentiated medical, surgical, and trauma presentations, with consultant support available on call.
- Conducted triage and prioritisation of patients according to clinical urgency, performing focused history-taking and physical examination to formulate differential diagnoses and initiate timely management plans.
- Recognised and managed a broad range of acutely unwell patients across medical, surgical, and trauma presentations, delivering resuscitation and time-critical interventions, including emergency intubation, airway management, intravenous access, haemodynamic stabilisation, wound management, and suturing.
- Requested and interpreted diagnostic investigations, including blood tests, electrocardiograms, and imaging, to guide clinical decision-making.
- Responded to deteriorating ward and critical care patients across the hospital in addition to Emergency Department duties, independently assessing, stabilising, and initiating management before coordinating ongoing care with the responsible consultants and arranging transfer to higher-level facilities where required.
- Participated in interfacility patient transfers and ambulance accompaniment, ensuring safe continuity of care during transport.
- Worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including nursing, laboratory, and radiology services, to facilitate timely and effective patient management.
- Maintained accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation throughout all patient encounters.
Medical Clerk/Intern (PGY1-/PGY2-equivalent)
St. Luke's Medical Center
06.2016 - 06.2018
- Completed 24 months of supervised clinical training at St. Luke's Medical Center, a large tertiary teaching hospital in the Philippines, across core specialties including Internal Medicine and its subspecialties, Surgery and its subspecialties, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Neurosciences, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Dermatology, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Preventive and Community Medicine.
- Gained experience across inpatient wards, the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and specialised critical care units, undertaking day, night, and on-call duties throughout the 24-month programme, with duty cycles of up to approximately 33 consecutive hours, including pre-duty, duty, and post-duty shifts.
- Performed supervised patient assessment, including focused history-taking, physical examination, clinical documentation, formulation of differential diagnoses, and development of initial management plans.
- Acquired and developed core clinical procedural skills, including venepuncture, peripheral intravenous cannulation, arterial blood gas sampling, nasogastric tube insertion, and urinary catheterisation.
- Obtained Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification prior to commencing supervised clinical duties.
- Participated in ward rounds, multidisciplinary team meetings, case discussions, and departmental presentations across all specialties.
- Supported continuity of care through accurate clinical documentation, coordination of follow-up, and effective communication with the multidisciplinary team.
Education
Doctor of Medicine
St. Luke's College of Medicine - William H. Quasha Memorial
Quezon City2018
Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of the Philippines - Diliman
Quezon City2013
Certification
Fully registered medical practitioner, General Medical Council (United Kingdom), Reg. No. 7847501 (2025)
Licensed physician, Professional Regulation Commission (Philippines), Lic. No. 0142022 (2018)
Good Clinical Practice in Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (2026)
AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider, St. Luke's Medical Center (2025)
IELTS Academic - Overall band 8.5 (Listening 9.0, Reading 8.5, Writing 8.0, Speaking 7.5) (2024)
Postgraduate Course in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, University of the Philippines - Manila College of Public Health (2023)
Research
Music Therapy for Reducing Agitation in Patients with Dementia: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials
St. Luke's College of Medicine, Philippines - Clinical Research
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Overweight and Obesity of Adults Aged 30-59 Years Old in Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City and Their Correlation to Body Mass Index
St. Luke's College of Medicine, Philippines - Preventive and Community Medicine
Investigative Study on the Flood Prevention Practices of Residents of Sampaloc, Manila
St. Luke's College of Medicine, Philippines - Preventive and Community Medicine
Comparative Study of Litter Decomposition of Native Versus Exotic Plant Species in the University of the Philippines - Diliman
University of the Philippines Diliman - Undergraduate Thesis, Biology
Presented at the 2nd International Symposium of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society
Extracurricular Interests
Outside medicine, I enjoy maintaining an active lifestyle and spending time outdoors. Physical activity and sports have always been important parts of my life, and I have participated in a variety of athletic pursuits over the years, including dragon boat racing with the PDRT Fireblades, where I was recognised as Rookie of the Year. Despite the demands of medical training and clinical practice, I have always prioritised physical activity and currently enjoy weight training, swimming, and Pilates as part of my regular routine.
I also enjoy camping, hiking, travelling, and photography. One of my most memorable outdoor experiences was hiking Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon. Exploring new places, cultures, and landscapes has broadened my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for different communities and ways of life. Photography allows me to capture and reflect on these experiences, while outdoor activities help me maintain balance, resilience, and wellbeing outside of work.
Referees
Dr. Analyn Sinchioco-Cacal
Consultant, Family Medicine
Maxicare Health Services, Inc.
Email: anasinchcacal@gmail.com
Dr. Faye Victoria Casimero
Consultant, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
St. Luke's Medical Center
Email: fayecasimeromd@gmail.com, fcasimero@mgh.harvard.edu
Dr. Joshua Uyboco
Consultant, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
St. Luke's Medical Center
Email: jtuyboco@yahoo.com
Timeline
Clinical Observer
Royal Brompton Hospital
02.2026 - 03.2026
General Practitioner - Occupational Health
Home Health Care Placements, Inc.
06.2024 - 06.2026
General Practitioner
Maxicare Health Services, Inc.
06.2023 - 06.2026
General Practitioner
Cocolife Health Services Division
06.2023 - 05.2024
Clinical Instructor
St. George's University
07.2021 - 06.2023
Emergency Department Physician
Angeles Medical Center
07.2020 - 05.2021
Pathology Resident (Registrar-equivalent)
St. Luke's Medical Center - Quezon City
01.2020 - 06.2020
Primary Care Physician
Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus
02.2019 - 08.2019
Emergency Department Physician
Angeles Medical Center
11.2018 - 08.2019
Medical Clerk/Intern (PGY1-/PGY2-equivalent)
St. Luke's Medical Center
06.2016 - 06.2018
Doctor of Medicine
St. Luke's College of Medicine - William H. Quasha Memorial
Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of the Philippines - Diliman