VA Caribbean Healthcare System Program
San Juan, PRLast Updated: 8/20/2026
About This Program
The VACHS Nephrology program is a clinical nephrology teaching program based in the Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan, serving a mostly veteran Spanish speaking population. We are part of the largest national healthcare network, the VA.
Program Length
2 Years
First Year Positions
1 Position
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
--
Avg Work Hours
42 Hours/Week
Program Setting
Other
Application Service
ERAS
Program Statistics
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Contact Information
Program Director
Mario Robles-Franceschini, MD
VA Caribbean Healthcare System
Primary Program Contact
Noel R Cintron
VA Caribbean Healthcare System
Survey Received: 6/15/2026
Program ID: 1484231103
Locations
University District Hospital
Po Box 2116
San Juan, PR 00922
University Pediatric Hospital
Po Box 191079
San Juan, PR 00919-1079
Auxilio Mutuo Hospital
Ponce De Leon Ave
San Juan, PR 00918
Application Information
Applicant Interview Format
Hybrid (in-person OR virtual)
Interviews Conducted Last Year
6 Interviews
Interviews/First Year Positions
6:1
Participates In
NRMP Main Match
--
Doesn't Participate In
- San Francisco Match
- Military Match (i.e., Joint Service Graduate Medical Education Selection Board, Military Selection Board)
- SAU/AU Match (i.e., Urology Match)
- None
Does not offer open house or second look
U.S. MD Applicants
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 1
Yes
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 2 CK
--
IMG Applicants
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 1
Yes
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 2 CK
Yes
DO Applicants
Must Have Passed COMLEX Level 1
--
Must Have Passed COMLEX Level 2
--
Requires the USMLE Step 1 and/or Step 2 CK
Yes
Must Have USMLE Passed Step 1
Yes
Must Have USMLE Passed Step 2 CK
Yes
Specialty-specific standardized letter requirements
No
Total required letters of recommendation (excludes MSPE and Deans letter)
Minimum
2 Letters
Maximum
3 Letters
Required Letter Writers
- Letter(s) from someone within the specialty (e.g., faculty, attending)
- Physician preceptor at an away rotation (e.g., program director, faculty)
Requires Previous GME
Yes
Number of previous GME years required
3 year(s)
Required Supplemental Information
No
Osteopathic Recognition
No
Medical School Graduation Timeline
No cap on the number of years.
Gap Experience Requirement
Data not provided by program
Resident / Fellow Characteristics
Three year averages. Medical school type does not include graduates of Canadian schools.
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Program Faculty
Faculty/Resident Ratio
1:1
Program Faculty
3
Female Faculty
0%
Faculty Distribution
Physicians (3)
Non-Physicians (--)
Work Environment
Program Start Dates
July 1
Avg Hours/Week on Duty (During First Year)
42 Hours
Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty (During First Year)
10 Hours
Avg Number of 24 Hour Off Duty Periods Per Week (During First Year)
1.30
Program Allows Moonlighting (Beyond PGY-1)
Yes
Night Float System
No
Most Taxing Schedule & Frequency Per Year
Beeper or Home Call (Weeks / Year)
Year 1 - N/A
17
Year 2 - N/A
17
NA = Not Applicable
NGO = Negotiable
OTH = Other
Visa Status
This program will consider an appropriately qualified applicant with the following visa or visa status. Contact the program for additional information.
J-1 visa sponsorship through ECFMG
No
H-1B visa
No
F-1 visa (OPT 1st year)
No
Program Size
3
Current Residents
Year 11
Year 22
PGY-1 Positions Not Offered
PGY-2 Positions Not Offered
Average PGY-1 Educational Environment
Structured Didactic Activities
5 Hours
Hospital Outpatient
30%
Non-Hospital Ambulatory Care
3%
Employment Policies & Benefits
Free parking
iPads, tablets, etc., or technology allowance
Educational Benefits
Formal program to foster interprofessional teamwork
Yes
Resident/fellow retreats
Yes
Off-campus electives
Yes
Research rotation
Not available
Integrative medicine curriculum
No
Curriculum to develop health systems leadership skills (e.g., QI project leadership, community/organizational advocacy)
No
Instruction in medical Spanish or other non-English language
No
Alternative/complementary medicine curriculum
No
Economics of health care systems curriculum
No
Debt management/financial counseling
No
Academic support for USMLE Step 3 and/or COMLEX-USA Level 3 preparation
No
International experience/global health
No
Hospice/home care experience
No
MPH, MBA, PhD or other advanced degree training
No
Tracks & Educational Features
Academic or clinician educator track
Yes
Offers additional training or educational experience beyond accredited length
Yes
Primary care track
No
Hospitalist track
No
Research track/non-accredited fellowship track
No
Rural track
No
Women's health track
No
Evaluations
Aggregate resident Milestone achievements
No
Graduates board certification pass rates
No
Performance-based assessment scores (e.g. OSCE, patient or computer simulations)
No
Patient surveys
Yes
Portfolio system
Yes
Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
Yes
Medical Insurance Coverage
- Major medical for residents
- Major medical for dependents
- Major medical for domestic partners
- Outpatient mental health
- Inpatient mental health
- Dental insurance
--
Salary Compensation
$66K-$69K
Year 4 through Year 5
Year 4
$65,827
Year 5
$69,288
Salary paid by a non-profit institution.
Vacation & Sick Days
Residents receive 28 Vacation Days and 15 Sick Days annually to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
Vacation Days28
Sick Days15
Maximum # of paid days
15 days
Maximum # of unpaid days
--
Quality of Life Information*
San Juan, PR
Purchasing Power Index --
Safety Index --
Health Care Index --
Climate Index --
Cost of Living Index --
Property Price to Income Ratio --
Traffic Commute Time Index --
Pollution Index --
Estimated Monthly Costs
Estimated cost does not include rent.Family of 4
--
Single Person
--
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