Ponce Health Sciences University Program
About This Program
The PHSU Orthopedic Surgery Program's mission is to develop compassionate, ethical, diverse, and culturally competent healthcare leaders who design, implement, provide, and refine integrated models of musculoskeletal care that continuously improve patient outcomes in our community and reduce waste. We want to model the Ponce Health Sciences University Orthopedic Residency Program with the mission of revolutionizing how people get and stay healthy.
Program Statistics
Contact Information
Program Director
Rafael M Fernandez-Soltero, MD
PO Box 7004
Primary Program Contact
Nahed Pacheco, JD
Ponce Health Sciences University
Locations
PO Box 7004
Gme
PO Box 7004
Ponce, PR 00732-7004
Po Box 7004
Ponce, PR 00732
410 Hostos Ave
Mayaguez, PR 00680
2213 Ponce Bypass
Ponce, PR 00717318
Application Information
Participates In
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
Open House
U.S. MD Applicants
IMG Applicants
DO Applicants
Total required letters of recommendation (excludes MSPE and Deans letter)
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)
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 Distribution
Work Environment
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.
Program Size
PGY-1 Position Type(s) Offered:
PGY-2 Positions Not Offered
Key Dates & Timelines
2026 - 2027
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
Application service release date
Interview Offer Dates
Dec 1, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027
Average PGY-1 Educational Environment
Employment Policies & Benefits
Educational Benefits
Tracks & Educational Features
Evaluations
Medical Insurance Coverage
Data not provided by program
Salary Compensation
Year 1 through Year 2
Salary paid by a non-profit institution.
Vacation & Sick Days
Residents receive 28 Vacation Days and 18 Sick Days annually to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
For more information, view the program's leave policy on their website.