Dr. Alba Vidal-Ronchas is a 2025 graduate of UMHS and is currently a resident physician in a combined five-year Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine program at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia. A native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, her training spans multiple clinical campuses in the continental USA, offering broad exposure to both acute and longitudinal patient care.
As she reflects on her medical education, Dr. Vidal-Ronchas shares her perspective on the UMHS learning environment, the value of the fifth semester in Maine, and the mindset she believes is essential for success in medical school and beyond. Her experience underscores the importance of perseverance, clinical preparation, and personal motivation throughout the journey to residency, emphasizing that medical school is ultimately shaped by the effort and dedication each student brings to the experience.
We spoke to Dr. Vidal-Ronchas shortly before she started her residency last year.
Dr. Vidal-Ronchas with her parents at UMHS graduation at Lincoln Center, New York City on June 6, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Vidal-Ronchas.
Training across disciplines: A dual residency path
UMHS Endeavour: Can you tell us a little about your current role and training after graduating from UMHS?
Dr. Alba Vidal-Ronchas: I am currently a resident physician in a combined Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine residency. It is a five-year program at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia and includes training across three campuses, which provides a wide range of clinical experiences.
Learning from UMHS faculty
Did you have a favorite professor at UMHS, or someone who made a meaningful impact during medical school?
That is a difficult question, as I learned from many outstanding professors throughout medical school. I appreciated the diversity of teaching styles and perspectives, as each faculty member contributed something unique to my education. Rather than relying on a single individual, I benefited from the collective strength of the faculty and their varied approaches to instruction.
Dr. Vidal-Ronchas on UMHS graduation day in New York City, June 6, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Dr.Vidal-Ronchas.
The Fifth Semester experience: Bridging theory and practice
What was your fifth semester in Maine like, and how did it help prepare you for Step 1 and your clinical rotations?
The fifth semester in Maine was one of the most impactful parts of my medical education. After studying online during the COVID period, returning to in-person learning and engaging directly with my classmates was both motivating and rewarding.
The faculty placed a strong emphasis on clinical scenarios and OSCE preparation, which helped bridge the gap between basic sciences and clinical medicine. That structure supported the development of clinical reasoning skills that carried forward into my clinical rotations and residency training.
Finding purpose in emergency medicine
What drew you to emergency medicine, and what aspects of the field do you find most meaningful?
My interest in emergency medicine developed during my clinical rotations, where I was drawn to the fast-paced environment and the opportunity to care for a wide range of patients. In the emergency department, you encounter individuals across all ages and backgrounds, often during some of the most critical moments of their lives. That level of acuity and unpredictability is both challenging and rewarding.
What I find most meaningful is the ability to provide immediate care and support when patients need it most. Even small interventions can make a significant difference in stabilizing a patient or offering reassurance during a difficult time. I also value the hands-on nature of the specialty and the opportunity to perform procedures while continuously learning.
Additionally, being able to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients has been especially important to me. It allows me to connect more directly with patients who may otherwise face language barriers, ensuring they feel heard and understood. That human connection, combined with the clinical intensity of the field, is what makes emergency medicine such a fulfilling path for me.
A mindset for success in medical school
What advice would you offer to current and prospective UMHS students?
I would encourage students to focus on staying motivated and maintaining perspective throughout medical school. It is a long and demanding process, often best approached as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Success depends largely on the effort and commitment you bring to your training. If you remain focused, work diligently, and pursue what aligns best with your goals, you can achieve the outcomes you are striving for.
Email Dr. Vidal-Ronchas at avidal@umhs-sk.net
(Top photo) Dr. Alba Vidal-Ronchas. Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Vidal-Ronchas.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
