About Our International Program
Portage Community International Program serves medical students in the Dominican Republic. Through your support, we fully fund students through medical school who otherwise would not be able to attend. These students go on work in Dominican hospitals and private clinics and provide vital medical care to their community.
Students attend Iberoamerican University (UNIBE) in Santo Domingo. There, Portage Community pays for their tuition, housing, transportation, food, and other expenses, which amounts to $12,000 total per student per year. They also receive mentorship and professional development opportunities.
We select one student each year and commit to funding them through the entirety of medical school, which is a five year program. Students also have the opportunity to work for the Partner of Hope Medical Clinic in Higuey during their one year of residency. Ultimately, we hope that these bright young people better their communities through their training.


Selection Process for Program Participants
Applications are distributed to interested students through our partner on the ground in the Dominican Republic, Hope for Hispaniola. They seek out students through organizations such as schools and local churches. They then distribute applications to all students who want to enter medical school but cannot due to a financial need.
Once applications are completed, Hope for Hispaniola sends the applications to the Portage Community Board of Directors. They then select one recipient out of all of the applications. That recipient then joins Portage Community Program for their five years of medical school.
You Can Impact Students from an Ocean Away
We want to help a new generation of Dominican doctors receive the best possible training. Furthermore, we want to give people the opportunity to attend medical school - something they could not afford otherwise. By supporting this program, you equip students to achieve their dream of helping others and give them the tools to break the cycle of poverty.
What Your Support Means
- You eliminate the financial barriers for a student to attend medical school.
- You strengthen the healthcare system in the Dominican Republic through students coming through our program.
- You provide mentorship and professional development to help students succeed.
- You break the cycle of poverty by giving students the education to double their annual income.
Meet Our International Students
International Program Updates

Contact Us Today
2521 Darlington Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
(855) 896-8294