Ponce Health Sciences University will begin community engagement in the Virgin Islands in 2026. Photo: PHSU

Ponce Health Sciences University took part in Christmas in July 2025. Photo: PHSU

Ponce Health Sciences University opened its campus in the Virgin Islands in 2025. Photo: PHSU

Dr Jose D. Pérez, MD, MSC, MPH, Executive Dean and Vice-President of Operations of PHSU BVI, told Virgin Islands News Online in a January 2026 interview that the focus during the first three semesters was to settle everything as they had just opened. 

PHSU opened in the VI, welcoming its first cohort in July 2025. 

Community engagement

“Now is the time that we have to engage with the community,” Dr Pérez said. 

Associate Dean, Dr Hector Lopez and Campus Administrator, Dr Sandy U.  Underhill, have been assigned to prepare several of these activities. 

Dr Pérez said one of the things they are tasked with is to work with local authorities to organise or participate in a health group. 

He added that with most of the university’s faculty being medical doctors and students having been trained in basic medical skills already, they can “work together to enhance the health of the BVI community”.

This initiative will happen at least once every semester. PHSU is currently working to see how best to execute this initiative by either partnering with the BVI Red Cross, Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) or both. 

Research 

Dr Pérez also revealed that another way the medical school is looking to assist the VI community is through research. 

“We strongly believe that if we start analysing health behaviours and health data that the BVI has already, we are going to have a better base to understand the current situation in the health system and in people’s own health.”

This he explained will have a major impact on the health system in the VI as it will help health authorities here make better decisions related to health. 

In addition, Dr Pérez said this will also allow the students and the medical school get closer to the community. 

“I always like to say we are not only having an economic impact, we are going to have an even greater impact in the health system itself and also in the education system itelf so it’s a nice combination of trying to enhance the whole BVI community and us being a part of it.”