San Juan City Hospital Program

Specialty:Transitional year
ACGME Code:9994200213
NRMP Code:-
Status:Continued Accreditation

Overview

The San Juan City Hospital Transitional Year Program offers a comprehensive and robust training experience aimed at equipping residents with essential skills for their future medical careers. Situated in the vibrant city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the program provides opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment.

Program Overview

This program is designed to provide residents with a transitional year of training in varied clinical settings. Residents of the San Juan City Hospital Transitional Year Program engage in diverse rotations that bolster their clinical acumen across various specialties, which is critical for their subsequent residency placements in various fields.

Curriculum

The curriculum emphasizes preparation for subsequent specialty training, blending clinical and didactic components. Residents participate in core rotations that include internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. This exposure allows them to develop a well-rounded foundation in both inpatient and outpatient care.

Rotations

Residents experience a diverse set of rotations across various affiliated institutions, enhancing their educational journey. The participating sites include:

  • San Juan City Hospital
  • University District Hospital
  • Loiza Community Health Center
  • San Jorge Children and Women's Hospital
  • University of Puerto Rico Hospital at Carolina

This collaboration between hospitals ensures residents gain exposure to different healthcare settings and patient populations, enriching their training and understanding of community health issues.

Research Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in research activities throughout their year. The program supports scholarly pursuits that align with their career goals and interests. This includes opportunities to present findings at local and national conferences, fostering a commitment to the advancement of medical knowledge.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The San Juan City Hospital Transitional Year Program emphasizes a resident-centered approach, focusing on individualized training and mentorship. The supportive faculty includes experienced professionals dedicated to fostering each resident's development, ensuring both technical and interpersonal skills are honed. Additionally, the program values cultural competence, reflecting the diverse patient population served in San Juan.

Training Sites

Residents train at multiple accredited facilities, each providing distinct training opportunities and patient demographics. This key feature facilitates comprehensive learning experiences and prepares residents to handle a wide range of clinical scenarios post-training.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to train in the United States. Specifically, it offers sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types, allowing eligible candidates to apply and complete the program requirements without visa-related barriers.

Competitiveness

The Transitional Year Program is highly competitive, welcoming applications from both U.S. medical graduates and international medical graduates, including those holding degrees from osteopathic medical schools (DOs). However, candidates should be aware that a strong academic and clinical performance is essential for selection.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the program are typically required to have graduated from medical school within a specified time frame, and there may be restrictions regarding the number of failed STEP exams. It is critical for applicants to thoroughly review all specific requirements in order to enhance their chances of acceptance.

Web sources

SmartPick

Program data

ACGME History [3]

Accreditation Last updated: Jul 16, 2026
Initial accreditation0
Full accreditation0
Continued27
Warning0
Probationary Accreditation0
Withdrawal0

Program

Program Size

10, 0, 0 (1 years) [1]

Accreditation Status

Continued Accreditation

(Effective: December 4, 2025)

Composition [2]

MD · 90%
U.S. IMG · 10%

Training

Fellowship Rate:90% [2]

Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:5X [1]

Residents Career Path [2]

Academic · 3%
Fellowship · 90%
Other · 6%

Quality of Life

First Year Paid Sick Leave: 20 days [1]

First Year Paid Vacation: 28 days [1]

First Year Salary: $43,891 [1]

First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 24 hours [1]

First Year Average Weekly Hours: 76 hours [1]

Admission

USMLE Step 2 Score: --

Visa Sponsorship:J1 [2]

YOG Cutoff:4 [1]

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Incoming Schools

50%

University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

20%

Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine

10%

Tufts University School of Medicine

10%

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

* Multiple schools share the same admissions rate.

Rotation Duration by Site

Benchmarks

Roster

Location

San Juan, Puerto Rico [5]

Population
3,285,874
Median income
$25,621Below
Education
30.8%Above
Employment
42.7%Above
Health
5.3%Above
Age
44Above
  • Above the national average
  • Below the national average
  • Similar to the national average

Housing — Rental prices [6]

Rental prices

Crime — All violent offences [7]

Rate per 100,000 residents

Living in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico, offers a unique living experience with a mix of culture, history, and beautiful beaches. Below are some aspects to consider:

Crime Rate and Safety

Like any urban area, San Juan has its share of crime, but overall it is considered safe, especially in tourist areas.

Fun Activities

Residents can enjoy water sports, salsa dancing, exploring historical sites like Old San Juan, and enjoying the local cuisine.

Climate

San Juan has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and occasional rain showers. Hurricane season is a concern from June to November.

Races and Population

San Juan is a diverse city with a mix of races and cultures, making it a vibrant and welcoming community.

Education

Puerto Rico has various educational opportunities, including universities and schools, providing options for families with children.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in San Juan can vary, with housing costs being one of the main expenses. It is advisable to research neighborhoods for affordability.

Proximity to Major Cities

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and while it's a major city itself, it is relatively close to other cities like Ponce and Mayaguez, approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours by car.

Pros

  • Rich culture
  • beautiful beaches
  • diverse community
  • tropical weather. Cons: Potential language barrier for non-Spanish speakers
  • hurricane risks during the season.

Cons

  • Rich culture
  • beautiful beaches
  • diverse community
  • tropical weather. Cons: Potential language barrier for non-Spanish speakers
  • hurricane risks during the season.

FAQ

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Nearby programs

Transitional year Programs Near San Juan, PR

References

1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/9994200213

2. Residency Explorer - https://www.residencyexplorer.org/Program/GetByIdWithMedicalSpecialty/71df5bfc-4e44-2713-6779-e3ea757e1a73

3. ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS) - https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search

4. NRMP Results and Data: 2022-2026 Main Residency Match - https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/program-results-2022-2026/

5. United States Census Bureau - https://data.census.gov/profile/City,_VS?g=040XX00US72

6. Zillow Research - Observed Rent Index (ZORI) - https://www.zillow.com/research/data/

7. FBI - Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program) - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr