Ponce Health Sciences University – St. Louis to Build New Campus with a School of Medicine

Ponce Health Sciences University – St Louis announces an $80M education investment plan which will include a campus/medical research facility in North St Louis.

On Friday, March 6, local leaders and elected officials including Congressman Lacey Clay gathered to join Ponce Health Sciences University President and CEO/Co-founder of Tiber Health, Dr. David Lenihan, as he unveiled his plans for an $80 million educational investment in North St. Louis. Among the commitment, a School of Medicine and a hospital, will provide anchors for the City of St Louis to grow as a medical hub.

The investment will be centered around the School of Medicine as an expansion of Ponce Health Sciences University (Ponce, Puerto Rico) satellite campus in St Louis. The new campus will provide a permanent home for Ponce Health Sciences University in St. Louis as well as fulfill a commitment to improve community health via their innovative Master of Science in Medical Sciences program, a pre-medical master’s program which offers an alternate pathway for students pursuing medical school admission.

The announcement comes on the heels of reports from the Missouri Hospital Association, noting the U.S. faces an estimated shortage of 49,000 primary care physicians over the next 10 years. As population diversity increases, communities will require more doctors who possess the training, skill and cultural competency to meet demand for essential, quality health care. The high cost, testing and selection process of traditional U.S. medical schools has systemically excluded underrepresented minorities from pursuing successful paths to medical careers.

“PHSU offers a compelling solution for closing this gap between the medical school selection process and professional healthcare delivery,” says Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, Chancellor of PHSU St Louis. “Our new campus in the heart of St Louis advances our efforts as a University to be recognized as academic and research leaders. It also allows us to put action behind our vision of providing medical education and research opportunities dedicated to addressing and impacting health disparities on local and national levels.”

About Ponce Health Sciences University – St. Louis 
The St. Louis Campus expands Ponce Health Sciences University’s global network and extends efforts to serve diverse and underserved communities. Ponce Health Sciences University is a fully accredited university dedicated to providing the highest quality graduate education programs available in medicine, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences, and public health in order to prepare world-class, culturally competent health professionals to better serve a growing population of diverse patients across the United States. Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and St. Louis, MO, PHSU is recognized around the world for its medical education and research achievements.

A rendering of the proposed Ponce Health Sciences University campus, in the footprint of the 'NorthSide Regeneration Innovation District.'

A rendering of the proposed Ponce Health Sciences University campus, in the footprint of the ‘NorthSide Regeneration Innovation District.’

Our new campus in the heart of St Louis advances our efforts as a University to put action behind our vision of providing medical education and research opportunities dedicated to addressing and impacting health disparities on local and national levels