Founded in 1970
by its first director Dr. Rufino L. Macagba Jr., the school was initially established to fill the need for a nursing school in support of the fast expanding then Lorma Hospital (now Lorma Medical Center).
He pushed forth this vision and endeavor through the encouragement of the LORMA founders who were both doctor-educators Dr. Rufino N. Macagba Sr. and Dra. Crispina Lorenzana-Macagba.
Aptly named Lorma to refer to the first syllable of the founder’s surname LORenzana and MAcagba, the school grew from a small nursing school to a higher education recognized as the region’s best performing school. With a solid record of recognitions received for its exemplary performance in the Board Examinations in paramedical courses including Nursing, Radiologic Technology and Physical Therapy since 1989 to present, LORMA continues to produce the greatest number of board topnotchers in the region.
Lorma Colleges is the first ever institution in Region 1 to be recognized highly by CHED as a Center of Development for Excellence in Information Technology (CODE-IT).
Through the years, Lorma Colleges has received numerous accolades and recogntion in its continuing effort to excel in healthcare, education and community service.
To date, it is the largest private and premier learning institution in Region 1.
It is also the first and only private higher education institution in the region issued with an ISO Certification by the Anglo Japanese – American Registrars Inc. (AJA) as well as granted with a Deregulated status by the Commission on Higher Education.
At present, the school has a group of 8 colleges, a graduate school, an institute and a basic education program (pre-school, grade school and high school) with over 4,000 students enroling yearly.
Lorma Colleges offers a number of bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Accountancy, Business Management and Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Health Services Management, Psychology, Education, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology , Post graduate studies in Nursing and short term EDP courses.
It houses two campuses, one in Lorma Carlatan – the main campus, which accommodates students taking the tertiary level programs, and another in LORMA San Juan which provides basic education programs for students in pre-school, grade school and high school.
Lorma Colleges continues to be the Ilocos Region’s center of excellence in paramedical and computer training and education and envisions itself to be a vital institution in building competency, leadership and Christian social concern among the region’s youth.
1970 - 1974 Dr. Rufino L. Macagba, Jr. (College Director)
1974 - 1976 Dr. Juan V. Komiya (College Director)
1976 - 1977 Mr. Florent Sals (College Director)
1977 - 1978 Dr. Florence M. Tadiar (President)
1978 - 1979 Mr. Jovencio J. Dumlao (College Director)
Listed are the Directors who are the "Pillars and Builders" of Lorma Colleges:
1979 - 1980 Dr. Florence M. Tadiar (President)
1980 - 1994 Rev. Salik C. Sinkiat (College Director)
1994 - 1998 Dr. Geoffrey S. Tilan (College Director)
1998 - 2018 Dr. Jose P. Mainggang (Executive Director)
2018 -present Dr. Pacita G. Apilado (Executive Director Higher Education)
2022- present Elizabeth R. Camara (Director Basic Education)
"With the Coronavirus epidemic scaring half of Asia, the need for proficient and efficacious healthcare personnel cannot be stressed enough. To create a tribe of strong healthcare experts, you need healthcare missionaries who can guide and shape keen minds to face the diverse challenges in the medical field. Dr. Crispina Lorenzana Macagba and Dr. Rufino N. Macagba Sr., wife and husband, were two such idealists, who, in 1934, started a small hospital out of their house. Under these two pioneer physicians’ guidance, the hospital grew to the current 200-bed tertiary care LORMA Medical Center. However, it was in 1970 that Dr. Rufino L Macagba Jr, their son, started the School of Nursing, in response to the growing needs of the hospital and the community. Later, it was re-christened to LORMA Colleges."