Ponce Health Sciences University*
Ponce, PR
Ponce Health Sciences University (“PHSU”) is located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico in a medically underserved area (“MUA”) with a shortage of primary health care professionals, including a 23% shortage of pediatricians, 68% shortage of OBGYNs, and 64% shortage of psychiatrists, according to Health Resources & Services Administration standards. In 2017, Hurricane Maria destroyed many of the campus’ medical and educational buildings, which exacerbated the region’s healthcare shortage.
MBS’ NMTC allocation funded the development of a state of the art 134,251 sq. ft. Academic Center, replacing, and expanding facilities destroyed during Hurricane Maria and thus allowing for significant increases in health care student slots and patients served.
The four-story building will include a ground floor clinic providing an estimated 80,000 patient visits per year (90% of which will be low-income people) in primary care, dental services, and mental health services. The project is expected to serve 22,400 unduplicated patients per year. The second through fourth floors will support modern facilities for teaching and research, expanding the University’s flagship Doctor of Medicine program from 323 students to 549 students, increasing other programs enrollment by 1,066 students, and adding 1,045 students to new programs in dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, psychology, and undergraduate biology.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Quick Facts
Square Footage: 134,251 sq. ft.
Total Project Cost: $70,454,617
Developer/Owner: Tiber Health, Public Benefit Corporation
Allocatees: MBS Urban Initiatives CDE, the Valued Advisor Fund, Popular Community Capital and Community Hospitality Healthcare Services.
NMTC Equity Investor: Wells Fargo
Architect: CSA Group and HOK
Projected Construction Jobs: 182 FTEs
Projected Permanent Jobs: 497 FTEs (241 retained, 256 created) within 3 years and construction 182 FTEs.
Community Partners: Banco Popular, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause and USBCDC