INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
Our international program serves medical students in the Dominican Republic. Through your support, we offer full medical school scholarships and full living expenses to students who otherwise could not afford it.
Portage Community pays for the tuition and other living expenses for students attending Iberoamerican University. They also receive mentorship and professional development opportunities.
We select one student annually for our program. Once they’re selected, we commit to funding them throughout their tenure of medical school. Our hope is to have these bright young students go on to work in Dominican hospitals and private clinics, improving their community by providing vital medical care.
Medical Clinic
When Portage Community founder Steve Michalik first traveled to the Dominican Republic in 2018, he had a question: Would it be possible to supplement the medical care and treatments the local residents were receiving?
Then he had a vision: to one day open a clinic for those unable to receive quality care because of finances, distance, or other issues.
In 2022, that dream was realized when the Partner of Hope facility was completed.
With the help of Hope for Hispaniola, the building was constructed over a three-year period near the outskirts of Higuey. The site is now providing free services through a pop-up clinic while we await official medical licensing from the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health. Our plan is to offer general care, pediatrics, women’s health services and dentistry.
International Student Spotlight
Daniela Del Rosario
Daniela is a medical student with a research track concentration at Universidad Iberoamericana, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She is a member of GCU, IMIG, UNIPED, INMET, NEUROX, GOU, Derming, SIG, and the American Student Association. She also is active in the American College of Cardiology and Honey Heart Dominica.
Daniela volunteers at Heart Care Dominicana & CardioStart, Hope for Hispaniola, Huellas Misionaras, and Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital. She is the coordinator for volunteer service at both Little Miracles and Mission brain, UNIBE Chapter. Previously, she served on the NEUROX Coordination Team. “My passion for volunteering comes from my grandparents, who dedicated their lives to serving others. Inspired by their example, I decided to become a doctor to make a positive impact in my country and serve as a loving biopsychosocial support system.”
