Triple-S Foundation launches medical scholarships in Puerto Rico
The Triple-S Foundation has launched the Triple-S Foundation Fund, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR, in Spanish), to offer scholarships for medical students specializing in neurology, orthopedics or pediatrics at local universities. The scholarship application window is from April 1 to May 10.
Details and application instructions are accessible in the applicant’s guide or on the FCPR website in the application section. Selected candidates may receive up to $11,500 in supplemental financial aid for lodging, tuition, books, equipment, food and transportation, among other educational expenses.
“We are committed to promoting the development of a specialized and accessible medical faculty to serve our country, and this fund provides us with a mechanism to achieve that goal,” said Lydia Figueroa-Cuevas, executive director of the Triple-S Foundation. “With this fund, we also contribute to addressing the current shortage of health care professionals in high-demand specialties such as neurology, orthopedics and pediatrics.”
Nelson Colón-Tarrats, president and CEO of the FCPR, said: “We are extremely pleased to facilitate the process for the Triple-S Foundation to grant these scholarships, which allow for the development of Puerto Rico’s human capital and also address the issue of medical specializations for the benefit of our communities.”
The Triple-S Foundation initiated the fund with a $40,000 donation. Criteria for eligibility include a minimum 3.0 GPA, residency in Puerto Rico, financial need, an essay, community leadership and openness to internships at Triple-S.
“This is an example of how two philanthropic institutions can collaborate for the well-being of our society,” said Mary Ann Gabino, FCPR’s senior vice president. “The Triple-S Foundation wanted to support students in medical specializations, and at the Community Foundation, we provided the structure.”
The FCPR oversees 97 funds, 39 of which are for student scholarships, and the rest support nonprofits. In 2023, 324 scholarships totaling $673,092 were awarded, and 76 donations to nonprofits amounted to $1.6 million in philanthropic contributions.
