Agreement between Fundación para el Futuro de la Salud and GoGo Foundation will directly benefit residents of southern Puerto Rico
Fundación para el Futuro de la Salud (FFS) and GoGo Foundation announced a strategic alliance to strengthen healthcare in Puerto Rico, particularly for residents of the southern region. Through the partnership, scholarships will be awarded to medical students who commit to serving underserved communities in central and southern Puerto Rico upon completing their professional training.
The initiative seeks to address the shortage of pediatric dentistry specialists outside the metropolitan area, expand access to preventive and specialized services for children and families, and help reduce the financial and geographic barriers that affect oral healthcare in these regions.
“Today is truly a day for celebration. This alliance demonstrates that investing in the education of healthcare professionals is also a way to transform lives. Graduating specialists is not enough; we must create the conditions that will encourage them to remain in Puerto Rico and serve where they are needed most. That is precisely the mission of our Foundation,” said Edna Marín, executive director of FFS, accompanied by GoGo Foundation President Ulises Clavell.
As the first initiative under this important alliance, the organizations awarded a scholarship to Dr. Andrea Rodríguez Rolón to help her complete her pediatric dentistry studies at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. The investment of nearly $15,000 helped cover expenses related to tuition, transportation, professional licensing examinations, and the purchase of essential instruments and equipment for her specialty.
In addition to providing financial support for the completion of her specialization in pediatric dentistry, Fundación para el Futuro de la Salud assisted Dr. Rodríguez Rolón through its Physician Navigator Program, facilitating the processes required for her transition from academic training to professional practice in Puerto Rico. This support included assistance and follow-up with her professional license application, credentialing, contracting with insurers and health plans, and the coordination necessary for her to begin providing services in Ponce.
This guidance helped address administrative barriers that frequently delay the entry of new specialists into the healthcare system and enabled Dr. Rodríguez Rolón to establish her practice to serve pediatric patients in southern and central Puerto Rico.
As a condition of the scholarship, Dr. Rodríguez Rolón committed to providing professional services in Puerto Rico for a minimum of three years after completing her specialization and obtaining her license.
“At GoGo Foundation, we believe that no child should be denied specialized care because of where they live or their family’s financial circumstances. This alliance allows us to invest in Puerto Rico’s healthcare talent while ensuring that our patients have access to the services they need close to their communities,” said Clavell. “Our goal is to continue contributing to Puerto Rico by promoting equitable access to specialized healthcare services. This initiative with Fundación para el Futuro de la Salud allows us to take a concrete step in that direction by preparing committed professionals and bringing hope to hundreds of families.”
For her part, the pediatric dentist emphasized that the scholarship represented much more than financial support. “It allowed me to focus on completing my training and return to serve where I am needed most. Today, I have the opportunity to care for children and families in southern Puerto Rico, and that is exactly the kind of impact I always dreamed of making as a pediatric dentist,” said Dr. Rodríguez Rolón.
Through this alliance, Fundación para el Futuro de la Salud and GoGo Foundation are advancing an innovative model centered on the education, retention, and integration of new specialists into Puerto Rico’s healthcare system. Their partnership demonstrates how collaboration between organizations can lead to greater access, better services, and a healthier future for communities with the greatest needs.
Fundación para el Futuro de la Salud is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the retention of physicians and healthcare professionals in Puerto Rico and encouraging new specialists to establish their practices on the island. Its mission focuses on creating a sustainable and equitable healthcare ecosystem for all residents.
GoGo Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive medical services through its multidisciplinary clinic, emergency room, and pediatric subspecialty clinic. Its mission is to ensure access to quality medical services in underserved communities, with a particular focus on children’s health in central and southern Puerto Rico.
Contact: Wilmelis Márquez (787) 585-1348
