Puerto Rico Initiative: Expanding Access, Strengthening Resilience

In the mountainous regions of central Puerto Rico, communities face some of the greatest barriers to healthcare access in the United States. In certain areas, poverty rates approach 60%, with high rates of disability and limited medical infrastructure. For many residents, even basic care requires traveling long distances across difficult terrain—delays that can turn treatable conditions into life-threatening emergencies. These communities are also highly vulnerable to natural disasters, where fragile infrastructure and isolation magnify the impact of major storms.

EP is working alongside local partners to build a sustainable model of care focused on access, continuity, and resilience. Through recurring clinical missions and long-term engagement, we aim to strengthen local healthcare systems while implementing telehealth, electronic medical records, and point-of-care diagnostics such as ultrasound and EKG. Local providers will also be connected with U.S.-based emergency clinicians for real-time support, education, and collaboration.

In parallel, we are developing a disaster-ready healthcare framework designed to support these communities before, during, and after future emergencies. Together, this initiative represents a long-term commitment to improving healthcare access and resilience in some of the most underserved communities in the United States.