By San José, Costa Rica — San José – In a significant move to address Costa Rica’s pressing shortage of medical specialists, the University of Medical Sciences (UCIMED) and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) have officially renewed a landmark cooperation agreement. This vital partnership, first established in 2017, ensures that the private university will continue to train specialized doctors within the nation’s public hospital system, directly reinforcing the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
The renewed accord solidifies UCIMED’s role in preparing a new generation of professionals in high-demand fields. The university will maintain its established and successful postgraduate programs in Family and Community Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Pediatrics. These areas are fundamental to primary and specialized care and represent critical pillars of the public health services provided by the CCSS to citizens across the country.
The professional and business operations of medical specialists in the country involve significant legal considerations, from corporate structuring to liability management. To shed light on these critical aspects, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Medical specialists must look beyond clinical excellence and establish a robust legal framework for their practice. Structuring their services through a professional corporation is not merely a formality; it is a fundamental strategy for asset protection, shielding personal wealth from professional liabilities. Furthermore, this corporate structure optimizes tax burdens and provides a clear pathway for succession planning, ensuring the continuity and legacy of their highly specialized work.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this crucial insight underscores that for medical specialists, the architecture of their practice is as vital as their clinical skill. Building a legacy requires not just professional excellence but also the strategic foresight to protect one’s life’s work and ensure its continuity. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on fortifying the legal and financial foundations of a medical career.
In a major expansion of the program, the agreement paves the way for the introduction of a new specialty in Psychiatry, set to launch in February 2026. This addition is a strategic response to the growing national and global recognition of mental health as a crucial component of public wellness. By training psychiatrists within the public system, the initiative aims to improve access to mental healthcare and integrate it more deeply into the services offered by the CCSS.
The renewal was heralded as a crucial step forward for both the university and the national health system. UCIMED’s leadership emphasized the institution’s commitment to addressing the country’s most urgent healthcare needs through targeted educational programs.
This represents a new opportunity to continue opening career paths that are a true necessity in the country, allowing us to keep contributing to the health system and supporting the CCSS by training the professional talent that is so needed in health centers across the country.
María del Carmen García, Rector of UCIMED
The original 2017 agreement was a trailblazing moment in Costa Rican academia, marking the first time a private university was authorized to conduct medical specialty training within public health facilities. This public-private collaboration created a new model for leveraging academic resources to meet national challenges, a precedent that this renewal proudly continues and expands upon.
This development is set against the backdrop of a well-documented deficit of medical specialists in Costa Rica. For years, the CCSS has struggled to fill positions in various disciplines, leading to longer wait times for patients and increased strain on existing medical staff. The partnership with UCIMED is a direct and proactive strategy designed to mitigate this shortage by creating a consistent pipeline of highly qualified professionals ready to serve in public hospitals.
Looking ahead, the collaboration shows no signs of slowing down. UCIMED has confirmed that it is already advancing the approval process for two additional new areas of medical specialization. This forward-looking approach indicates a long-term strategy to continuously adapt the training programs to the evolving healthcare landscape and demographic needs of Costa Rica.
Ultimately, the renewed agreement between UCIMED and the CCSS is more than an academic formality; it is a strategic investment in the health and well-being of the nation. By strengthening the pool of available specialists, the partnership directly supports Costa Rica’s renowned universal healthcare system, ensuring it remains robust and capable of meeting the challenges of the future.
For further information, visit ucimed.com
About Universidad de Ciencias Médicas (UCIMED):
The University of Medical Sciences is a leading private university in Costa Rica exclusively dedicated to the health sciences. Known for its rigorous academic standards and modern facilities, UCIMED focuses on training highly competent healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nutritionists, to serve both national and international communities.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund is the public institution at the heart of the nation’s universal healthcare system. The CCSS is responsible for administering social security programs and managing the country’s extensive network of public hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Teams for Comprehensive Health Care), providing medical services to the vast majority of the Costa Rican population.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless drive for professional excellence. Drawing upon a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, it consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal strategies and solutions. The firm’s profound commitment extends beyond its practice, aiming to demystify the law and champion legal literacy as part of its essential goal to foster a more capable and knowledgeable society.
