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Development of the PHSU School of Medine in the British Virgin Islands
PHSU-SOM-BVI is proud to be the first medical school in the British Virgin Islands. The school offers a 4-year medical education program leading to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, with an emphasis on primary care.
The MD program curriculum is the same for both PHSU Schools of Medicine and a total of 164 weeks of instruction. The program consists of a preclinical phase conducted in the British Islands followed by a clinical phase conducted in the US.
The preclinical phase comprises two years of courses in basic science and clinical integration. During the first year, basic science courses focus on the core disciplines of Gross Anatomy, Biochemistry, Histology and Cell Biology, Microbiology/ Immunology, Neurosciences, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology. During the second year, the organ-system approach is used to integrate the basic science curriculum content. The majority of basic science courses are delivered synchronously with the PHSU-SOM campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, offering a dynamic learning experience enhanced by diversity, state-of-the-art technology, and the PHSU’s proprietary predictive learning analytics. The international students at PHSU-SOM-BVI benefit from the experienced PHSU faculty leadership and student support services in the US, while receiving personalized instruction and support from PHSU faculty and staff on-site in the rapidly evolving PHSU-SOM-BVI educational facilities in Tortola.
The preclinical years provide integration of clinical content and early clinical experiences through Introduction to Clinical Skills, Pathophysiology, Behavioral Sciences, and Basic Psychiatry. Longitudinal programs in Community Medicine, Problem-Based Learning, Geriatrics, and Medical Ethics are integrated into the educational program during the first two years, preparing students for the clinical phase of the curriculum.
The third year includes core clinical clerkships in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. The fourth year complements these core clinical experiences with advanced rotations in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and a Primary Care Selective. Twenty-four weeks of elective rotations provide additional clinical experiences, enabling students to explore their interests and focus on their chosen specialties. These clinical rotations will be conducted primarily in Florida or Puerto Rico in partnership with a network of established hospital association with oversight by local PHSU faculty.
Affiliated Institutions
Ponce Health Sciences University is affiliated with multiple hospitals, health care facilities, and organizations that provide a network of learning environments for medical student clinical training. Affiliation agreements with clinical facilities in the United States will be structure to ensure PHSU-SOM-BVI sufficient exposure to the types of patients and clinical conditions that medical students are required to encounter to enable them to develop clinical competence and achieve the objectives of the medical education program.
Licensure
British Virgin Islands License:
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) School of Medicine - British Virgin Islands (PHSU-SOM-BVI) is provisionally licensed by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs & Sports to operate in the British Virgin Islands.
Contact information:
Ms. Sharlene Smith, Secretary, Higher Education Licensing Board
Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs & Sports
Government of the Virgin Islands
Road Town, TORTOLA VG1110, Virgin Islands
Tel: (284) 468-2151, Email: higheredulicboard@gov.vg
Website: http://www.bvi.gov.vg
Puerto Rico State License:
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is licensed by the Board of Postsecondary Institutions (Junta de Instituciones Postsecundarias-JIP) to operate in Puerto Rico. The license was renewed until April 28, 2029.
Contact information:
Junta de Instituciones Postsecundarias (JIP)
Calle San José, Esq. San Francisco
Viejo San Juan, PO Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271
Phone: (787) 722-2121
Web: https:www.estado.pr.gov
Missouri State License:
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is licensed by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
Contact information:
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Phone: (573) 751-2361
Web: dhe.mo.gov
Programmatic Accreditations
Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCCM) conferred preliminary accreditation to Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program on March 1, 2024. The next accreditation evaluation will occur during AY 26-27 before the charter class enters the clinical phase of the educational program. Complaints concerning the school’s compliance with standards should be addressed to the PHSU-SOM-BVI Dean. Unresolved complaints may be directed to the ACCM at the address below.
Contact Information:
Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine
6-9 Trinity Street
Dublin D02 EY47, Ireland
Email: info@accredmed.org
Phone: +353 1 209 1996
PHSU-SOM-BVI operates as a school within its parent university PHSU. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a global institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education since 1952. . The next accreditation site visit is scheduled for 2026-27.
Contact Information:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB #166
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 267-284-5000
Fax: 215-662-5501
Web: msche.org
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