Many doctors are fleeing Puerto Rico.
Early one morning in a vibrant Afro-Caribbean neighborhood in northeast Puerto Rico, Dr. Pedro Juan Vázquez embarked on his medical rounds, visiting homes to offer health check-ups. Greeting the elderly residents with a friendly “Good afternoon!” and a smile, he casually asked if they would like their vitals checked.
Many residents were taken aback by the offer of medical attention. A man in a gray tank top welcomed the opportunity and took a seat on his porch for an examination. While Vázquez is a physician, he is perhaps better known in Puerto Rico as the rapper PJ Sin Suela.
At 34, Vázquez is pursuing his dual passions of music and medicine while also highlighting a pressing health crisis on the island of 3.2 million people. Puerto Rico faces frequent power outages and a critical shortage of medical professionals, many of whom have migrated to the U.S. mainland for better opportunities.
According to a 2023 report by The Center for a New Economy, Puerto Rico has lost over 8,600 doctors out of nearly 18,800 in just over a decade, with this trend expected to worsen. “We have a massive outflow of young people,” Vázquez told The Associated Press. “Puerto Rico is dealing with a crisis that is much larger than people realize.”
Vázquez travels from San Juan to remote areas weekly to provide medical care to underserved communities affected by natural disasters and economic hardship. When he’s not in his doctor’s scrubs, he focuses on music that addresses social issues like inequality, poverty, and violence. His song “Las Balas Lloran” (“Bullets Cry”) reflects on the impact of gun violence, while “Somos Más” (“We Are More”) critiques the economic struggles faced by workers on the island.
Born in the Bronx but raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Vázquez’s career spans both medicine and music. He earned his medical degree in 2015 after studying in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. His music career took off in 2018 with the hit single “Cuál Es Tu Plan?” featuring Bad Bunny and Ñejo, leading to collaborations with prominent artists such as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Residente.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vázquez shifted from music to full-time medical work at a hospital in Ponce. Despite initial skepticism from some colleagues about his commitment, he quickly proved his dedication and skill. “After a month, everyone realized this wasn’t a joke for me and that I’m truly proficient,” Vázquez said.
Dr. Carlos Díaz Vélez, president of Puerto Rico’s Association of Surgical Doctors, noted that Vázquez has brought attention to the island’s health issues. In 2023, Vázquez received a humanitarian award at the Premios Tu Música Urbano for his contributions.
Milagros Martínez, a community leader from Hormigueros, recalled Vázquez’s visit after Hurricane Fiona in 2022, noting his ability to separate his medical work from his musical persona. Vázquez is now working on a new album and has scaled back his medical practice to part-time, focusing on mobile clinics with the nonprofit Direct Relief.
Power outages continue to be a challenge both for his music studio and his patients. Vázquez has had to leave his studio due to the lack of a generator and worries most about how outages affect his patients, especially during extreme heat. “It’s heartbreaking to see people without power and struggling to access healthcare,” he said.
Balancing his roles as a musician and a doctor, Vázquez relies on volunteers to help with mobile clinics. His fans enthusiastically support these efforts, volunteering to provide free medical care. “Sometimes I leave the clinic in tears,” Vázquez shared.
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