University Outcomes & Impact

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Ponce Health Sciences University has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Since 2014, under new leadership, the institution has evolved from an underperforming medical school on academic probation into a fully accredited, internationally recognized university. With a growing presence in Puerto Rico and Missouri, PHSU is on track to become a state-of-the-art Academic Medical Center, leading the way in graduating Hispanic, culturally competent healthcare professionals. From expanding access to healthcare education to responding to disasters and serving underserved populations, PHSU continues to be a beacon of hope for Puerto Rico, the U.S., and beyond.

Graduating Underrepresented Minorities & Serving Minority Communities

PHSU is committed to educating and graduating healthcare professionals from predominantly Hispanic communities, ensuring they return to serve their home populations. At PHSU, we aren't just training doctors—we are shaping the future of minority healthcare leadership in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Being in the 85th percentile for graduates practicing in underserved areas, we are committed to training a healthcare workforce that addresses global health needs (AAMC Mission Management Tool 2025).

90%+

of PHSU Graduates Identify as Underrepresented Minorities.

40%

of Physicians in Puerto Rico are PHSU Graduates.

38%

of Puerto Rican dentists Will Graduate from PHSU.

95th Percentile

Plan to Care for the Underserved*

96th Percentile

Field Experience in Community Health*

94th Percentile

Plan to Participate in Program with Service Commitment*

*AAMC Mission Management Tool 2025, Prepared to Care for Different Backgrounds, 2022-2024

Filling the Need for Hispanic Physicians & Healthcare Providers

The U.S. healthcare system faces a critical shortage of Hispanic and Black physicians. In 2018, only 11% of physicians in the U.S. identified as Hispanic or Black, despite these communities making up 34% of the total population.

PHSU is bridging this gap as the leading medical school in the nation for graduating Hispanic, culturally competent healthcare professionals. With over 500 healthcare graduates annually, PHSU is set to become the 3rd largest MD program in the U.S. once its St. Louis campus reaches full capacity.

99 Percentile

Graduates Who Are Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish*

99 Percentile

% Faculty Who Are HLS, AI/AN, B/AA, or NH/PI*

99 Percentile

% Graduates Who Are Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish*

*AAMC Mission Management Tool 2025. 2 Due to space limitations these labels were abbreviated. HLS refers to Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin, AI/AN refers to American Indian or Alaska Native, B/AA refers to Black or African American, and NH/PI refers to Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

Providing a High-Quality Education

We are dedicated to delivering rigorous, high-quality medical education that prepares future healthcare professionals to excel in an evolving healthcare landscape. Our programs emphasize academic excellence, clinical expertise, and cultural competency, ensuring that graduates are not only skilled but also compassionate providers who can serve diverse populations effectively. PHSU is a fully accredited institution with a strong reputation for producing highly qualified physicians, psychologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Our faculty comprises leading experts, researchers, and practitioners who are committed to providing students with cutting-edge medical knowledge and hands-on training.

90%

Satisfaction in Obstetrics-Gynecology Clinical Clerkships*

92%

Satisfaction in Pediatrics Clinical Clerkships*

90%

Satisfaction in General Surgery Clinical Clerkships*

*AAMC Mission Management Tool 2025, Evaluation of Medical School Clerkships (Percent Responding Good or Excellent, 2022-2024)

Success by the Numbers

  • 500+ Healthcare Graduates Annually (MD, Psychology, Nursing)
  • 90%+ of Graduates Identify as Underrepresented Minorities
  • 40% of Puerto Rican MDs are PHSU Alumni
  • 38% of Puerto Rican Dentists are Expected to Graduate from PHSU
  • 10%+ of U.S. Hispanic Physicians are PHSU Alumni
  • 50,000+ Medicaid Patients Treated Annually at PHSU’s Outpatient Clinic
  • $100M+ Economic Impact Generated Around PHSU’s Ponce Campus
  • $126M Expansion Project Budget to Transform the Institution
  • $50M CDBG-DR Loan to Fund Phase 2 of Expansion
  • $40M+ in Federal & Private Research Grants (2018-2020)
  • $40K Median Household Income of PHSU Students (2.5x lower than U.S. average of $100K)

Student Data by Location

Ponce–Main Campus

  • 98% (1570/1600) of the Ponce campus student population is Hispanic/Latino
  • 19% (39/209) of the reporting student population at the Ponce Campus is a first generation student
  • 34% of the Ponce campus population is categorized under the poverty level based on the federal poverty guidelines for Puerto Rico (2025)

San Juan–Learning Center

  • 100% (218) of the students at the San Juan location are Hispanic/Latino or Black/African American
  • 16% (218) of the reporting student population at the San Juan location is a first generation student
  • 38% of the San Juan location population is categorized under the poverty level based on the federal poverty guidelines for Puerto Rico (2025)

St. Louis–Campus

  • 53% of the St. Louis campus student population is Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian Black/ African American
  • 36% of the reporting student population at the St. Louis Campus is a first generation student
  • 18 % of the St. Louis campus population is categorized under the poverty level based on the federal poverty guidelines for Missouri (2024)

 

 

Last Updated 3/12/25