Organization:Universidad de Ciencias Médicas

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University of Medical Sciences
Universidad de Ciencias Medicas
UCIMEDNEW.JPG
Other name
UCIMED
MottoExcelencia académica por tradición
Motto in English
Academic excellence by tradition
TypeSchool of Medical Sciences
Established1976
RectorDr. Pablo Guzmán Stein
Location
La Sabana
,
San Jose
,
Costa Rica
LanguageSpanish
Websitewww.ucimed.com

The University of Medical Sciences (Spanish: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, UCIMED) is a private medical university in San José, Costa Rica. As the largest and most established private medical school in Costa Rica, UCIMED holds a position of prestige within Latin America. Its main campus, situated in the capital, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology in medical education, featuring one of the region's premier simulated hospitals. Offering a diverse array of degrees, including Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry, Licentiate of Physiotherapy, Licentiate of Nutrition, and Doctor of Pharmacy, UCIMED further extends its educational offerings to encompass master's degrees and medical specialties. Noteworthy among these are the master's degree in Health Management and Specialty in Gynecology and Obstetrics, solidifying UCIMED's commitment to comprehensive medical education.

History

Established in 1976 by the esteemed surgeon and researcher Andrés Vesalio Guzmán Calleja, a founding member of Costa Rica's national medical school, UCIMED originated under the name Escuela Autónoma de Ciencias Médicas (Autonomous School of Medical Sciences). Driven by Dr. Guzmán and collaborators, this initiative arose in response to ideological differences with the authorities of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the sole institution offering a medical degree at the time. The conflict stemmed partly from exclusive access to medical education based on a specific ideological inclination.

Initially situated at the San Juan de Dios Hospital, the campus utilized the hospital's psychiatric wing infrastructure, symbolized by the dome in the institution's emblem. Initially serving as the medical school for the established UACA university, UCIMED later severed ties with UACA in 1999, rebranding itself as an independent institution. In March 2003, the National System of Accreditation in Higher Education conferred accreditation in Medicine to UCIMED, a recognition shared at that time only with the UCR School of Medicine, highlighting adherence to national excellence standards.

In 1998, UCIMED introduced pharmacology as a major, meeting current SINAES (Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior) quality standards.[1] Subsequently, the university expanded its academic offerings to include programs in Microbiology, Physiotherapy, and Nutrition. Presently, all degrees provided by UCIMED hold accreditation from SINAES, setting the institution apart as one of the select few in Costa Rica with this distinction. Notably, in 2019, UCIMED's medical school secured international accreditation from the Consejo Mexicano para la Acreditación de la Educación Médica (COMAEM), affirming the excellence of its academic education. At that juncture, UCIMED stood as the sole Medical School in Latin America and the Caribbean to attain such prestigious recognition.

Academics and accreditation

All UCIMED programs are semester-based, conducted exclusively in Spanish. In the M.D. program, students completing the initial five semesters earn a bachelor's degree in health sciences. From the fifth semester onward, clinical clerkships take place at prominent Costa Rican hospitals like Hospital San Juan de Dios, Hospital México, Hospital Calderón Guardia, Hospital de Alajuela, Hospital de Heredia, and Hospital Max Peralta de Cartago. Despite the university's focus on these main hospitals, there is also an extensive network providing access to secondary and tertiary care health infrastructure.

Throughout their degree, students engage in rotations covering diverse courses, including semiology, internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and community medicine. In the final year, students undertake internships in the country's hospitals, culminating in the attainment of their MD degree after the eleventh semester.

UCIMED stands out as the sole medical school in Costa Rica boasting a fully equipped simulation hospital. This facility offers students exposure to obstetrics and gynecology, primary care, advanced care, emergency care, and surgical scenarios in a controlled, supervised environment. This immersive experience ensures students are well-prepared for real-life situations, prioritizing patient safety and well-being. Additionally, qualified physicians can partake in various workshops and courses, enhancing their medical education within the simulation hospital.

Recognized nationally and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools by the World Health Organization, UCIMED plays a pivotal role in training health professionals in Costa Rica.

In 2016, UCIMED, alongside Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), achieved passing scores above the international standard in the International Foundation of Medicine Clinical Sciences exam for last-year medical students in Costa Rica. UCIMED's results ranked second nationally, following UCR. This trend continued in 2017, solidifying UCIMED as one of the top-performing institutions in the IFOM exam, consistently rivaled only by UCR. Both institutions are historically regarded as the two premier institutions for medical education in Costa Rica.

Admissions

Prospective students are mandated to undergo an admission test evaluating their foundational understanding in key subjects like chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Subsequently, applicants are obligated to submit their high school transcripts and diploma. Those whose academic performance meets the university's benchmarks are invited for an interview with a clinical psychologist and either the dean of medicine or vice dean. This comprehensive process serves both as a counseling session and a means to assess the applicant's motivation. Successful candidates receive notification of their acceptance via publication on the university's official website.[1]

Agreement with Kaplan

UCIMED has signed an agreement with Kaplan, Inc. to help provide a program to prepare medical students for the USMLE and the NBME IFOM exam required for internship in the Costa Rican Healthcare System. This provides students with Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate with aid from Kaplan Inc. representatives working within UCIMED grounds. Kaplan Inc. USMLE preparation programs discounted for applicants who opt in.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 UCIMED, Universidades en Costa Rica [Lista de Universidades Privadas en Costa Rica, Becas, Carreras, Universidad de Costa Rica]

External links



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