Ponce Health Sciences University Graduates the Largest Medical Class in Its History

Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) celebrated its 45th Commencement Ceremony, awarding degrees to a total of 434 graduates from across its academic programs. Held in the university’s new auditorium on the Ponce campus, the event marked a historic milestone as PHSU graduated 120 students from its Doctor of Medicine program—the largest medical class in the institution’s history.

Graduates from Clinical Psychology, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, School Psychology, and the Master of Science in Medical Sciences programs also received their professional degrees during the ceremony.

University President Dr. Gino Natalicchio expressed pride in the achievements of the graduating class, especially the significance of this year’s medical cohort. “Today we celebrate 434 professionals who are prepared to serve with knowledge, compassion, and commitment. We are deeply proud of each one of them and confident that what they have learned at PHSU—in the classroom and in the community—will be used to improve the quality of life and health outcomes in Puerto Rico and beyond,” he stated.

Dr. Natalicchio also noted that the close of this academic year comes at a pivotal moment for the university, which has experienced sustained and strategic growth in its academic offerings and services in under a year. “Each institutional advancement represents a promise fulfilled to you, and a guarantee of quality for the generations to come.”

Among the year’s key accomplishments, Dr. Natalicchio highlighted:

• The opening of the first private dental school in Puerto Rico in over 50 years, which welcomed its inaugural class in August 2024.

• The international expansion of PHSU with the launch of its Doctor of Medicine program in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, beginning in August 2025.

• The addition of two new medical residency programs—one in Orthopedic Surgery and another in Rural Psychiatry—strengthening physician retention efforts in Puerto Rico.

• The inauguration of Ponce Health, a new clinical-academic center that expands access to specialized healthcare services and positions itself as a key resource for addressing high-demand health conditions across the island.

“The graduation ceremony is not only the culmination of an academic journey, but the beginning of the professional impact of hundreds of new physicians, psychologists, scientists, and health professionals—all trained under the highest standards of educational excellence,” Dr. Natalicchio concluded.