The Philippine Association of Nutrition or PAN Inc. was founded on March 9, 1947 by Dr. Francisco O. Santos, Dr. Isabelo O. Concepcion, Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr., Dr. Presentacion Perez, Dr. Clara Ruth Darby, Dr. Barker Brown, and Dr. Ariston Hermano. Dr. Santos, the first PAN Inc. president, led the members in pursuing PAN Inc.’s then mission of increasing national understanding of the country’s nutrition situation and promoting action and measures for the nutritional improvement of families, communities and the country as a whole. PAN Inc. organized into a single body all those who believed early on, in the multidisciplinary approach to nutrition. Thus, today’s membership reflects that distinct nature of nutrition work. Professionals in nutrition, food, agriculture, health, education, social development, economics and other related fields have continually banded together to achieve and promote the holistic approach to nutrition work. In carrying out the multidisciplinary approach to nutrition, PAN Inc. also opened its doors to student chapters, with PAN-Alpha being the first ever student chapter of PAN Inc.