Doctors’ Center Hospital|Orlando Health Puerto Rico welcomed a group of pre-medical students from the University of Central Florida this month as part of an educational mission on the island.

Sixteen students from the student-led nonprofit International Medical Organization (IMO) visited Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – San Fernando de la Carolina, Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – San Juan and Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Bayamón, where they shadowed physicians and clinical staff in the emergency department, observed two orthopedic surgeries in operating rooms, prepared welcome kits for patients and toured an ambulance. They also had the opportunity to hear testimonies from faculty members of the hospitals they visited about their personal experiences as doctors on the island.

This is the second consecutive year that students from IMO visited Doctors’ Center Hospital|Orlando Health Puerto Rico.

Carlos Blanco, MD, MBA, president of Doctors’ Center Hospital | Orlando Health Puerto Rico, explained that in addition to learning about the operation of hospitals on the island, the visit helped to strengthen the training of these future healthcare providers. It also enabled them to see that at Doctors’ Center Hospital |Orlando Health Puerto Rico, there are real possibilities to pursue their careers.

“Programs of this extent allow us to exchange knowledge, experience and goodwill. We are proud to be part of IMO’s mission to give students the opportunity to volunteer in our communities, expand their knowledge of different cultures and, most importantly, build a sense of gratitude for their lived experiences,” Dr. Blanco said.

This visit reaffirms the vision of this collaborative alliance between Doctors’ Center and Orlando Health, “which has allowed us not only to bring new health professionals to the island, including Puerto Rican doctors interested in returning, but also students like these, who are health professionals in training,” Dr. Blanco said.

The students, many of whom are already in their senior year, are pursuing specialties including anesthesiology, surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, pediatrics and pharmacy.

“This visit reflects the longstanding connection between Central Florida and Puerto Rico,” said Omar Gonzalez, vice president of Orlando Health’s Caribbean/Puerto Rico Region. “As these students pursue careers in healthcare, we believe programs like this are positive opportunities to foster the next generation of medical providers.”

International Medical Organization specializes in medical mission work and observation trips to vulnerable areas around the world. The goal is to give students the opportunity to expand their cultural awareness while providing support to the people who reside in the communities that students visit.

“Through efforts in education and volunteering, this group of students not only improves the sustainability and effectiveness of health care but also sows a spirit of multiculturalism and medical altruism that will continue throughout their lives,” said Dr. Blanco. “We are grateful that they chose to visit our hospitals to learn about the health care system in Puerto Rico and the high-quality, compassionate health care we provide. It was a privilege that they gave us their time as volunteers at the service of our patients.”

Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health is a healthcare system in Puerto Rico established through a partnership in October 2022. Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system that – in addition to Puerto Rico – serves the southeastern United States.

The alliance between Doctors’ Center Hospital and Florida-based Orlando Health includes Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Dorado, Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – San Juan, Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Bayamón, Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Manatí and Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – San Fernando de la Carolina.

The 770-bed system grew from the initial 13-bed Manatí hospital founded in 1959 by Pedro Blanco Lugo, MD.

More than 500 partnered physicians, representing 35 medical specialties, have privileges across the Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health system, which employs 2,500 team members.

For more information, visit doctorscenterhospital.com and orlandohealth.com.