St. Joseph's Hospital-South Family Medicine Residency Faculty

Manuel E. Puente, MD

Family Medicine Residency Program Director

Education

Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Residency: St. Luke’s University Health Network; Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania
Board Certification: Family Medicine

Dr. Puente is a board-certified family physician and distinguished medical educator with a deep commitment to training the next generation of physicians. He previously served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine, alongside academic appointments as Assistant Professor, Doctoring Director, and Clerkship Site Director. He also held leadership roles as Associate Program Director and Chair of the Clinical Competency Committee in his prior residency program. Originally from the Dominican Republic and raised in South Florida, Dr. Puente earned his medical degree from Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) and completed his Family Medicine residency at St. Luke’s University Health Network, where he served as Chief Resident. He was honored with the Health Equity Leadership and Social Justice Award for his advocacy in the underserved Allentown communities. Outside of his clinical and academic roles, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, practicing yoga, and engaging in weightlifting and cycling.