Message from the Dean

The ability to heal is one of the most profound gifts in life. At Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), we prepare students to harness this gift by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to promote health, treat illness—both physical and mental—and advance scientific discovery. Our mission is to empower students to become compassionate healers and innovative contributors to the ever-evolving field of healthcare. At PHSU, learning is dynamic and interactive. Our students combine hands-on experiences, such as the traditional cadaver lab, with cutting-edge tools like three-dimensional anatomical software. They engage daily with seasoned researchers in fields such as neurosciences, infectious diseases, and cancer, gaining exposure to groundbreaking discoveries. All of this takes place in a warm, supportive environment where faculty and staff are deeply committed to student success and well-being. One of our greatest strengths is our bilingual (English-Spanish) academic environment at the main campus in Ponce, which uniquely positions students to serve both Puerto Rican communities and the growing Hispanic population across the United States. Our St. Louis campus complements this mission by offering a culturally diverse learning environment that enhances students' cultural competence and includes opportunities to learn Spanish through our Language Support Program. Our medical students gain clinical experience in a variety of settings, from rural clinics to advanced tertiary-care hospitals, in both Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. biomedical sciences students achieve impressive milestones, publishing in renowned peer-reviewed journals and presenting at prestigious national conferences, with many pursuing post-doctoral training at leading institutions across the U.S. Over the past 46 years, PHSU has proudly graduated more than 3,000 physicians, biomedical scientists, and master’s degree holders in medical sciences. The majority have gone on to become successful practitioners and researchers, making significant contributions in both Puerto Rico and the United States. We are honored to guide the next generation of healthcare leaders and scientists, as they embrace the art and science of healing and discovery.