Dr. Cenon Alfonso is known for his expertise as a surgeon and his leadership in hospital administration in the Philippines. He is serving as Dean of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health since 2010, becoming a full professor in 2014 and Associate Dean in 2018. A specialist in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery, Dr. Alfonso is a member of the International Hepatopancreatobiliary Association and a Fellow of the Philippine College of Surgeons.

In healthcare leadership, he was CEO of The Medical City (TMC) Clark, where he established it as a modern healthcare hub. As President of UST Hospital, he successfully reversed its financial standing, leading it from a P57 million loss in 2004 to a P36 million profit by 2005 through strategic service expansion.

Dr. Alfonso has also contributed significantly to surgical training, serving as President of the Philippine Association of Training Officers in Surgery and leading the National Committee for Surgical Training. His career is marked by advancements in surgical techniques, hospital management, and improvements in patient care standards, making him a respected leader in the Philippine medical field.