The IMG Residency Match Podcast

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Dr. Sushania Pryce is in love with Family Medicine. In fact, she has been smitten by her specialty of choice since she was a child. But the Match process can test even the most driven IMGs, even Dr. Pryce. Sushania’s story captures the highs and lows of her journey, including the years she watched others matching, wondering when it would be her turn.

Growing up in Jamaica, Sushania dreamed of becoming a doctor, but the reality of matching in the U.S. brought pauses, detours, doubts, and cultural shock. Instead of giving up at any stage, Dr. Pryce pressed forward, found her place in a new family medicine program, and rose to chief resident.

In this episode, she shares the lessons that carried her through uncertainty and reveals why persistence and authenticity matter most. Tune in now and discover the mindset that can turn your Match journey into a success story.

00:00 Introduction to the Journey of a Family Doctor

00:23 Overcoming Challenges in Medical Training

00:55 Leadership and Advocacy in Medicine

01:37 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

02:18 Meet Dr. Sushania Pryce: A Journey in Family Medicine

03:33 Early Inspirations and Medical School

04:53 Choosing Family Medicine

07:46 Differences in Family Medicine: Jamaica vs. USA

09:40 Advice for Aspiring Medical Professionals

10:17 The Importance of Persistence and Mindset

13:56 The Role of Medical Education in Career Success

15:59 Navigating the Interview Season

19:25 Handling Illegal Questions During Interviews

20:32 Top 3 Tips for Starting Your Match Journey

22:03 Balancing Excitement and Fear in a New City

23:25 Leveraging Your Support System

25:23 Cultural and Systemic Challenges for IMGs

28:47 Becoming Chief Resident: A Journey of Leadership

34:32 Life in Milwaukee: Food, Fun, and Sports

36:23 Legacy and Future Goals in Family Medicine

38:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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For many IMGs, the match feels like a gamble stacked against them, especially when the specialty is as competitive as anesthesiology.

In this episode, you’ll hear about an IMG who knew she would only go after her true love specialty. From facing others’ doubts and discouragement to navigating a new medical system and excelling in residency, Dr. Lori-Ann Edwardscarved out a path to pediatric anesthesiology and academic medicine.

Along the way, she reveals what really separates successful IMG applicants: authentic letters that speak to who you are, applications that tell a bigger story than scores alone, and the courage to chase the specialty you actually want. This isn’t just advice, it’s a roadmap for every IMG who refuses to settle.

00:00 Overcoming Self-Doubt: A Journey Begins

00:27 Early Challenges and Unexpected Rewards

01:28 Introducing Dr. Lori-Ann Edwards

03:11 Inspiration and Early Influences

05:03 Medical School Highs and Lows

07:14 Choosing Anesthesiology

11:24 Residency Experiences and Challenges

15:02 Advice for Aspiring Anesthesiologists

25:02 The Importance of Letters and Scores

29:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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Ever felt like being an IMG means your options are limited? You’re not stuck. In this conversation, you’ll hear how an international medical graduate who once struggled with grades, finances, and uncertainty transformed his life through self-discovery, research opportunities, relentless goal setting, and consistent action.
From working at a pretzel store to becoming a board-certified mental health counselor, public speaker, and founder of the California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology (CIBNP), Dr. Hassaan Tohid’s story shows how obstacles can become fuel for growth. Hundreds of IMGs turn to Dr. Tohid’s institute to get much needed experience in research and publications. If you’re an IMG wondering how to get research experience, or how carve your path inside or outside the match, press play!

00:00 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices

00:44 A Life-Changing Book

01:56 Introduction to Dr. Hassaan Tohid

02:40 Dr. Tohid's Journey and Philosophy

04:23 Self-Discovery and Career Path

14:14 The Power of Visualization and Success

19:15 The Importance of Reading and Mentorship

24:12 Networking and Environment for Success

26:25 Entering the Mental Health Field

27:30 Balancing Finances and Volunteer Work

28:23 Finding a Mentor and Gaining Experience

28:53 The Job Search Journey

30:09 A Surprising Opportunity

33:14 Starting a Research Career

34:04 Launching CIBNP and Overcoming Challenges

35:09 Career in Substance Abuse Therapy

36:08 Growth of CIBNP and Personal Achievements

38:36 Encouragement for IMGs

46:07 Global Opportunities for IMGs

48:34 Success Stories from CIBNP

50:07 Legacy and Final Thoughts

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What if one last-minute decision completely changed the course of your life and your career? That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Rodney Guiseppi. Accepted into engineering, he pivoted overnight to medicine in Jamaica, faced culture shock, and later discovered a passion for ophthalmology after his grandmother regained her sight. From building mentor relationships to calling programs directly, his story reveals how genuine connections and persistence turned just two interviews into a successful match in one of the most competitive specialties. If you’re an IMG navigating the match, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.

00:00 The Unexpected Path to Medicine

00:23 Adjusting to Life in Jamaica

00:37 Networking and Building Relationships

01:51 Introduction to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

02:33 Meet Dr. Rodney Guiseppi

03:46 Early Life and Education

05:25 Choosing Medicine Over Engineering

07:06 Transition to Medical School in Jamaica

08:25 Discovering a Passion for Ophthalmology

10:31 The Journey to Residency in the US

13:46 Mentorship and Support

19:26 Residency Challenges and Successes

20:52 Pursuing a Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery

22:18 Advice for IMGs Applying to the Match

24:58 Balancing Family and Career

26:10 Patient Appreciation and Final Thoughts

26:56 Closing Remarks and Resources

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Thousands of residency applications get read every year, but only a few truly stand out. What makes the difference?

In this episode, you’ll learn how to write a personal statement that selection committees can sum up in a single sentence, why authenticity is impossible to fake, and how to choose experiences that prove you belong in your chosen specialty. If you’re serious about making your application unforgettable, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

00:00 Introduction to Crafting a Memorable Application

01:20 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

02:01 Key Qualities for a Standout Application

02:27 The Importance of Clarity

05:45 Embracing Authenticity in Your Application

09:41 Ensuring Relevance in Your Application

13:06 Core Questions to Address in Your Personal Statement

18:06 Final Tips for a Memorable Application

21:20 Conclusion and Next Steps

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Dear IMG: What if the biggest obstacle to your dream residency match isn’t your USMLE scores, your research, or even other match applicants?

In this episode, admissions consultant and founder of Memorable Essay, Shawna-Kaye Lester, gets into why your mindset may cost you a match.

She shares four mental shifts every ambitious IMG must make to get through the match and into their dream life.. From rejecting the belief that being an IMG is a weakness, to stepping into your identity as a young doctor, to radical focus on yourself, and embracing the power of making your match journey a team sport, this week’s episode is the morning motivation you didn’t know you needed. If you’ve been feeling self-doubt and overwhelm creep in on your match journey, this episode will help you set your mind right and enjoy powering through to Match Day.

00:00 Introduction and Overcoming Self-Doubt

01:05 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:49 Meet Your Host: Shawna-Kaye Lester

02:36 Four Essential Mindset Shifts for the Match

02:58 Mindset Shift 1: Being an IMG is Not a Weakness

06:20 Mindset Shift 2: Embrace Your Identity as a Young Doctor

10:28 Mindset Shift 3: The Real Competition is Yourself

15:47 Mindset Shift 4: Accepting Help and Building a Support System

21:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

24:00 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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What does it take to leave Jamaica, navigate culture shock, survive residency during a pandemic, and still find joy in medicine? Dr. Samantha Patterson’s story is a blueprint for every IMG daring to dream beyond borders.

In this heartening conversation, she shares her early passion for medicine, her pivot from pediatrics to internal medicine, and the moment she knew geriatrics was her calling. From the hustle mentality she rejected to the unexpected advice that led her to Harvard, this episode reveals how clarity, community, and the courage to ask can shape your match journey. If you’ve ever doubted your timeline, questioned your path, or wondered if your dreams were too big, this one’s for you. Listen now!

00:00 The Hustle Mentality and Residency Support

00:55 Introducing the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:36 Meet Dr. Samantha Patterson

02:59 Early Life and Aspirations

05:31 Discovering a Passion for Medicine

07:27 Choosing Internal Medicine Over Pediatrics

08:50 The Journey to Geriatrics

15:03 Cultural Differences in Medical Practice

18:51 The Importance of Friendship in Residency

20:51 The Importance of Support in Residency

21:29 Post-Residency Accomplishments and Geriatrics Fellowship

25:09 Working as a Geriatrician: Challenges and Rewards

28:19 Advice for Non-Traditional Medical Students

30:44 The Importance of Networking and Asking for Help

34:38 Improving Geriatric Care and Policy Making

38:56 Final Thoughts and Legacy

44:55 Closing Remarks and Resources

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If you knocked on the Match door and it didn't open, would you stop? Or would you pivot, adapt, and grow stronger? In this honest and insightful conversation, Dr. Brian Brereton shares how a childhood dream of saving hearts led him on a global medical journey from Jamaica to the United Kingdom, and finally to a United States residency in internal medicine.

But his story isn’t just about geography, it’s about mindset. Dr. Brereton opens up about coming out of a small town as a child and being shocked by the big city, trying another door when one doesn't open after three tries, building community in unlikely places, and achieving an enviable roster of research publications as a full-time physician and Master's student. He also talks about discovering why, after all, his circuitous route was an advantageous one. His advice for you as an IMG? Never underestimate the strength of your medical training.

This is priceless motivation for any IMG wondering: Is it still worth it?Can I still make it? Am I enough? Yes, you can make it. And Dr. Brereton's blueprint of perseverance and excellence shows you exactly how. Listen now!

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:34 Dr. Brian Brereton's Journey Begins

02:48 Life in Barbados and Jamaica

04:41 Challenges and Growth in the UK

05:48 Residency in the US

10:50 The Importance of Lifelong Friendships

13:49 Choosing Medicine and Internal Medicine

29:47 Why Cardiology?

32:20 Advice for Future IMGs

38:13 Conclusion and Gratitude

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What if the thing you’ve been told is a weakness in your application is the very thing that sets you apart? It depends on the value you place on it. Dr. Vernicia Hernandez, born and raised in Mayaro, a small community in Trinidad and Tobago, brings more than just credentials to the residency match. In this powerful conversation, she reflects on the long road from an internship in the Caribbean to matching at her first choice, the University of Miami. From working as a clinical tutor at SGU, to weighing England vs. the U.S., to the bold decision not to rank a program she didn’t believe in, Dr. Vernicia shows how matching isn’t just about test scores, it’s about valuing yourself and what you bring to a program, even as an IMG. You’ll hear what made her fall in love with internal medicine, why she’s building her career in sleep medicine, and how she plans to give back through healthcare policy and advocacy. If you’re an IMG still figuring out how to stand out, this is your guide.
00:00 Intro

00:58 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:38 Meet Dr. Vernicia Hernandez

02:33 Journey to Medicine

05:26 Choosing Internal Medicine

08:16 The Match Process

11:18 Preparing for Residency

14:43 Residency Experience and Growth

23:32 Specializing in Sleep Medicine

27:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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What if your lowest moment in the Match process paled in comparison to finding out that you matched? Dr. Peter-Gay Thompson went from a tiny town in rural Jamaica, a place most people have never even heard of, to matching into a pediatric residency in Miami, Florida, driven by the belief of her family members, perseverance, faith, and her mother’s example of relentless service.

Dr. Thompson shares valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of her journey, including the influence of her mother’s legacy of service, the emotional rollercoaster of the residency application process, and the cultural and emotional adjustments during her intern year.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re really cut out for this journey, this is the story you need to hear. Press play and prepare to believe again.00:00 Intro

00:54 Introducing the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:32 Meet Dr. Peter Gay Thompson

02:44 Growing Up in Jamaica

05:33 Choosing Pediatrics as a Specialty

07:41 The Challenges and Rewards of Pediatrics

11:19 Overcoming Obstacles in the Match Process

14:45 The Joy of Matching into Residency

17:52 A Father's Confidence

18:42 Facing Intern Year Challenges

19:35 Coping with Loneliness

20:00 Finding Support and Therapy

22:47 Expanding the Definition of Service

25:37 Advice for Future Interns

27:24 Personal Growth and Social Expansion

30:02 Future Aspirations and Conclusion

Applying to the Match? Click here to learn more about how we can support you: https://bit.ly/imgmatch

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What if your first words didn’t come until age 3, and now you’re a surgeon who gives others their voice? Born with a speech disorder, mislabeled, and nearly written off, Dr. Joshua Wright, a Jamaican IMG, rose to become valedictorian of his medical school class, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, and an Otolaryngology head and neck surgery resident at Duke University.

He shares how missing the Rhodes Scholarship turned out to be life-changing, why he chose ENT despite the 0–1% IMG match rates on average, and how childhood shame became fuel for both his clinical career and advocacy efforts.

Dr. Wright offers practical advice for other IMGs aspiring to match into competitive specialties, highlighting the necessity of research, clinical experience, and a well-rounded understanding of personal goals. This episode isn’t just inspirational, it’s unforgettable. It's a must-hear blueprint for IMGs who want to pursue specialties with discouraging match rates. Listen now!

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:35 Meet Dr. Joshua Wright

02:52 Joshua's Medical Journey and Inspirations

03:30 Childhood and Early Interests

03:56 Discovering Medicine Through Motorsports

04:16 Culinary Arts Aspirations

05:13 Choosing ENT Over Orthopedics

06:51 Personal Connection to ENT

08:50 Advocacy and Overcoming Challenges

16:26 Family Support and Achievements

19:40 The Match Process and Odds for IMGs

20:54 The Odds for IMGs in ENT

21:05 Sponsor Message: IMG Residency Match Application Accelerator

21:25 Advice for International Medical Graduates

22:47 The Importance of Hard Work and Excellence

24:34 Understanding the Match Process

26:57 Navigating Research Opportunities

32:06 The Role of Support Systems

32:27 Joshua's Residency Experience at Duke

33:24 Maintaining Motivation and Building Networks

36:38 Joshua's Legacy and Final Thoughts

39:47 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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Imagine facing a new world where everything is foreign, from the language to the medical practices. Join host Shawna-Kaye Lester and Dr. Nadia Fernand on the IMG Residency Match Podcast as they unravel Nadia’s journey from the Bahamas to Cuba, and then to residency in the U.S. Nadia reveals the grit it took to match while working grueling hours, the differences in healthcare systems she has encountered, and her lessons on resilience for all IMGs.

Are you ready to be inspired and learn how to match even if your path is non-traditional? Tune in now and discover Nadia’s awe-inspiring journey! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with one colleague applying to the Match.

00:00 Introduction and Early Challenges

00:46 Meet the Host and Guest

01:25 Nadia's Early Life and Aspirations

04:08 Nadia's Medical School Journey

05:46 Integrating into Cuban Culture

11:56 Returning to The Bahamas

13:28 Pursuing the USMLE and Residency Match

17:26 COVID-19 and Final Reflections

21:20 Mastering the NBME Exam

22:20 Step Two: Clinical Scenarios and Diagnosis

23:03 Step Three: Management and Beyond

24:57 Balancing Life and Medicine

29:18 Choosing Internal Medicine

30:58 Cultural Insights and Patient Care

33:47 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence

37:28 Future Aspirations and Legacy

38:48 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

The IMG Residency Match Podcast is brought to you by the IMG Residency Match Application Accelerator, a premium program that helps ambitious IMGs create a memorable application to match into residency. Find out more about the Residency Match Application Accelerator here: https://bit.ly/imgmatch

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It's a wrap on season 1 of The IMG Residency Match Podcast!

Here is a recap of those who joined us to share their expertise on preparing for the match, successfully navigating the match process, and creating your dream medical career with you, Ambitious IMG.

Episode 1: How Badly Do You Want to Match featuring Dr. Khadija Tayabali

Episode 2: Love & Matching: How to Relocate With Your Spouse featuring Alicia Archer and Dr. Darren Bodkin

Episode 3: How to Blow Your USMLEs Out of The Water featuring Dr. Shion Betty

Episode 4: How to Make Matching and Medicine Work For You featuring Dr. Hodon Mohamed

Episode 5; How To Cultivate A Mindset That Help You Match featuring Seneca Williams, M.A.

Episode 6: The Top 4 Resources You Need To Match featuring Dr. Joselle Cook

Episode 7: How to Create and Crush a Career in Academic Medicine featuring Dr. Kemi Doll

Episode 8: How To Choose The Subspecialty That Is Perfect For You featuring Dr. Jovan Gayle

Episode 9: How To Make The Most Out Of Residency featuring Dr. Francis Christian

Episode 10: How To Balance Applying To The Match & Being A New Mom featuring Dr. Anna-Belle Robertson-Chung

Episode 11: How To Use Strategy And Mindset To Unlock Step 1 Success featuring Clarissa Guillen, RN

Episode 12: How To Go From Reapplicant To Chief Resident featuring Dr. Andre Morgan

Thanks for tuning in, and see you next season!

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The IMG Residency Match Podcast is brought to you by the IMG Residency Match Application Accelerator, a personalized, premium program to help ambitious International Medical Graduates prepare a residency application that gives them the best possible odds of matching.

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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HOW TO GO FROM REAPPLICANT TO CHIEF RESIDENT

When Dr. Andre Morgan graduated from Howard University’s internal medicine residency program earlier this year, he was also inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society.

AOA inductees are chosen for the honor because they have displayed a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and community service. It’s a great honor in and of itself,, but it was the icing on the cake, considering that Dr. Morgan was also a Chief Resident of his program.

However, Dr. Morgan’s life over the last decade hasn’t been exclusively filled with lofty roles and selective awards. Rewind a few years and you’ll find a younger Dr. Morgan, determined not to give up on his goal of matching into residency in the United States, because he didn’t match after his first or second attempt.

How did Dr. Morgan go from being a 3-time match applicant to being a chief resident of his dream program? We get into that and much more in the Season 1 finale of The IMG Residency Match Podcast.

This episode is for you if you want to learn about:
The role that mentors played in Dr. Morgan’s career choice
Why young Andre didn’t realize that he could be a doctor
Where Dr. Morgan began his medical journey, and some of the countries he has worked in
His most memorable patient experience (it’s a heme-onc tearjerker)
Why he pulled out of his local residency program in Internal-Medicine and decided to apply to the NRMP match
The mindset you must possess once you start thinking about applying to the match
The social pressure that comes with not matching (you know, while all your classmates are moving on with their careers)
The one piece of advice someone gave Dr. Morgan that encouraged him to apply a third time to the match
How you can know when to give up on your match dreams if you’re an IMG who has applied multiple times
What needs to change every time you apply to the match
Dr. Morgan’s experience interviewing at his dream program the year he matched
What it’s like to be a chief resident

________________________________________________________________ Thank you so much for tuning in to Season 1. I thank you for your time and attention, and your feedback… Please join us for future seasons!

________________________________________________________________ The IMG Residency Match Podcast is brought to you by the IMG Residency Match Application Accelerator, a personalized, premium program to help ambitious International Medical Graduates prepare a residency application that gives them the best possible odds of matching.

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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HOW TO USE STRATEGY AND MINDSET TO UNLOCK STEP 1 SUCCESS

This Learning Strategist Who Went From College Failure to Nursing School Superstar Shares Her Methodology

Did you know that you can learn how to learn, Ambitious IMG? This week on the IMG Residency Match Podcast, Learning Strategist and Brilliance Coach, Clarissa Guillen, is going to tell you how—especially as it concerns your USMLE Step 1.

We’re talking about how you can mindset work and strategic studying to improve your Step 1 performance.

Clarissa has a powerful personal story: She went from being considered brilliant in her inner city high school to failing out of seven courses by the time she was a college junior. Subsequently, her academic advisor told her she would never make it in the medical field because she wasn’t smart enough.

At first, it seemed like her advisor was right and Clarissa did not have the skills to succeed. She graduated college with a 2.7 GPA, couldn’t apply to medical school, and got rejected from an accelerated nursing program.

Clarissa was deflated; however, her boyfriend at the time—now her husband—encouraged her to pick herself up. So Clarissa spent an entire summer researching, learning, and testing myriad study skills and consistently applying the ones that worked. The result? She got accepted into nursing school with a 3.72 GPA and graduated with Honors.

While working as a Registered Nurse, Clarissa founded an academic coaching company, She Rocks @ College. She has worked with over 300 students ranging from junior college to professional schools to help them to:

Crush their courses
Improve their confidence
Create a balanced life (including study-free weekends)
Tune in if you want to learn:
What exactly it means to work on your mindset
How to use the syllabus to excel in any exam
How to excel in your USMLE Step 1 exam
Why focusing on the content Step 1 tests is the wrong approach
What to do if you have failed Step 1 and are going to resit it

Resources mentioned in this episode included in the show notes at www.memorableessay.com/podcast/s1ep11

________________________________________________________________

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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It doesn’t take long to recognize that when Dr. Anna-Belle Robertson-Chung sets a goal, she is serious about achieving it.

A Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY-1) Internal Medicine resident, in today’s episode Dr. Robertson-Chung takes us with her on her journey of preparing for the match, creating her application, matching, and relocating to the U.S.

Her journey had a unique twist. Excelling at the residency match application process is hard enough. However, Dr. Robertson-Chung became a mommy at the beginning of her journey.

In this week’s episode, we get into:

-Why Dr. Robertson-Chung decided to apply to residency training in the U.S.

-How she managed to study for USMLEs while taking care of her newborn

-The role her husband and other family members played in her being able to complete the match process

-How the match hurled her outside of her comfort zone

-How her communication skills changed through working with Memorable Essay on her application

-What match day felt like… after the many many years of hard work it took to get there...

-What you can expect after you match, Ambitious IMG

-What she does for fun

-The one piece of advice she would give to her son

___________________________

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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How This IMG Went From A Having a Tough Time in College To Getting Into Two Highly Competitive Medical Fellowships

If anyone understands the ins and outs of becoming and being an International Medical Graduate, it is Dr. Francis Christian. This is due to his broad, firsthand experience with medical education.

Dr. Christian completed high school in the island of Jamaica before moving to the United States and completing college, then completing a master’s degree in biomedical sciences. Next, he began his medical studies at St. Matthew’s University in Grand Cayman.

Once he matched into residency, Dr. Christian put the pedal to the metal to set himself up for fellowship success. He matched into a competitive Pulmonology and Critical Care Fellowship, and is now pursuing a second fellowship in Sleep Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess | Harvard Medical School.

There is gem after gem in this interview for IMG medical students and residents alike. We get into:

[4:53] Why Dr. Christian chose to attend a Caribbean medical school

[8:35] 3 tips that IMGs can use to be successful in the residency match process

[16:38] How he used his time during residency to become a competitive fellowship candidate

[21:10] The power of unpaid research externships for the IMG with red flags who still wants to match into residency

[24:04] Looking back, what he would change about his residency application process

[24:46] How being married to a physician impacted his experience in residency training

[25:12] How he organized his time in a demanding residency to be able to do clinical care and research, and stay healthy

[28:24] How IMGs can be strategic about where they do externships or rotate

[29:30] What he does for fun

[30:14] What it was like to welcome a baby during his first fellowship

[31:02] What make the hard work worth it

____________________

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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When Dr. Jovan Gayle was in medical school, he thought he would become a surgeon. He ended up becoming an internist. When he started residency training, he thought he would become a cardiologist, but when it was time to apply to fellowship, he threw his hat in the ring for Pulmonology-Critical Care.

Dr. Gayle encourages young physicians to enter residency with an open mind about what they will subspecialize in. He has simple, actionable advice for how to evaluate your choices and identify the subspecialty that is perfect for you. It includes keeping in touch with older colleagues, because they can give you the insider scoop about the pros and cons of working in a subspecialty.

We also get into:

[3:44] How Dr. Gayle decided whether to pursue residency training locally or internationally
The first steps to take once you decide to pursue residency abroad
[10:08] His advice for approaching Step 1
[13:01] What he has found to be the best part of residency training
[15:23] Dr. Gayle’s big professional goal
[21:36] The part of residency training that has surprised him the most
[23:42] The research experience he gained during his residency
[ 26:12] The subspeciality he chose
[27:45] Why he decided not to subspecialize in cardiology, which he came into residency loving
[28:56] How to choose your subspecialty
[36:39] What Dr. Gayle wants his legacy to be

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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This week on The IMG Residency Match Podcast, we’re hearing from academic physician Dr. Kemi Doll. Academic physicians not only provide clinical care but also conduct research that advances the specialties in which they work.

Dr. Doll’s mother was a labor and delivery nurse, and her father was an International Medical Graduate physician. As a result, as a child, Dr. Doll thought that ‘growing up and getting a job’ meant becoming a doctor or a nurse.

Dr. Doll is now a gynecologic oncologist, which she explains as doing surgery and administering chemotherapy to people with cancers of the female reproductive tract. She has also served on residency selection committees, and has valuable insight to share with IMGs seeking to match.

When she is not caring for patients or conducting health services research, Dr. Doll works as an academic coach: She helps women of color (women in the United States who are not considered white) to secure research grants doing work they love.

Tune in to Dr. Doll’s hard-won wisdom if you are:

An IMG in medical school, currently applying to the match, or in a residency program -- and you already know you want a career in academic medicine
An IMG in residency weighing the pros and cons of seeking subspecialty training
An IMG in a fellowship program wondering how can you strategically use this time to set yourself up for future life success

Dr. Doll shares her wisdom honestly and frankly. So listen as we get into:

[5:21] How her early environment shaped her career choice
[5:38] How she decided on a career in academic medicine
[8:47] The “signals” that residency selection committees look for in letters of recommendation
[9:37] The weaknesses that IMGs often have in the match process
[10:55] The strengths that IMGs bring to the match process
[15:23] Why Dr. Doll decided to do 4 years of fellowship training (versus 3), after completing 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of residency training
[16:56] Why she never felt like she was delaying her life while pursuing additional training
[19:39] Why she is so passionate about academic coaching
[21:10]How can IMGs use their time in residency training to prepare for a successful career in academic medicine

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Doll on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemidoll/

Dr. Doll on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kemidollcoach

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The IMG Residency Match Podcast is brought to you by the IMG Residency Match Application Accelerator, a personalized, premium program to help ambitious International Medical Graduates prepare a residency application that gives them the best possible odds of matching.

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To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

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Dr. Joselle Cook feels as if she was always interested in medicine, because she grew up in the back of her mother’s retail pharmacy. As she got older, she would help in the pharmacy, and through that experience gained an understanding of the role that various professionals play in medicine.

This led to her pursuing science subjects at the Naparima Girls’ High School in Trinidad, where she was born and grew up, before starting medical school at the University of the West Indies, Mona, in Jamaica.

Ironically, Dr. Cooke never planned on applying to medical residency in the United States, and only started on the path because one of her really good friends would not stop persuading her to take the USMLEs. She matched into Internal Medicine at SUNY Downstate and is now pursuing a Hematology-Oncology fellowship at Mayo Clinic, with her sights set on a second fellowship.

Based on her success, on this episode of The IMG Residency Match Podcast, Dr. Cook shares her Top 4 resources IMGs need for their match journey.

Here’s what we talk about on this episode:

[9:56] How Dr. Cooke changed during medical school

[11:49] What was her plan when she started studying for the USMLEs

[14:07] Why IMGs need high USMLE Step Scores

[14:21] The Top 4 Resources you need in your match journey

[20:03] How it feels to be in a Heme-Onc fellowship at Mayo Clinic at Rochester

[23:41] What she does for fun with her colleagues

Read the full interview and find the resources mentioned during this episode at: www.memorableessay.com/podcast

________________________________ The IMG Residency Match Podcast is brought to you by the IMG Residency Match Application Accelerator, a personalized, premium program to help ambitious International Medical Graduates prepare a residency application that gives them the best possible odds of matching.

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview. https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

________________________________ Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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A therapist and mindset coach for high achievers speaks on mental health for IMGs applying to the match

For the Internal Medical Graduate (IMG), matching requires discipline, mental strength, and resilience. Sixty-one percent (61%) of International Medical Graduates were successful in the 2020 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) main residency match, compared to 94% of American Medical Graduates (1).

These statistics mean that every IMG must give the match process their all, even when they doubt themselves or worry about the outcome. These stats also mean that some IMGs will match on the first attempt, some will have to reapply before matching, while some will never match and will have to find an alternative way of realizing their life goals. This can take a toll on not just your physical health but also your mental health.

So on this week’s episode of The IMG Residency Match podcast, we’re talking about mental health for the high-achieving, ambitious IMG with a licensed therapist, mindset coach, and mental health advocate, Seneca Williams, LMHC.

In 2009, Seneca decided to change careers from law to psychology. People told her the career pivot would be hard, being a single mother to a 3-year-old girl at age 28, but she overcame anxiety, depression, and new career challenges to successfully make the change. In 2015, she launched what has become a booming online therapy business, in which she now treats approximately 300 clients a year. Seneca specializes in supporting professionals so they can develop coping skills for anxiety, burnout, chronic stress, depression, and various life transitions and thrive in their careers.

This is an episode everyone should listen to, physician or not. However, our conversation is tailored to high achievers and the IMG. We get into:

[4:05] The difference between therapy and coaching
[17:45] What is imposter syndrome?
[19:07] How you can deal with imposter syndrome
[21:58] Where feelings of unworthiness originate from
[25:44]What to do when you have a negative thought (about your match process)
[27:16] The way our minds are designed
[33:01] How high achievers can sabotage themselves
[40:51]Daily exercises you can do as an IMG to improve your mental health

Resources mentioned during this episode:

NRMP Main Residency Match Report Shows Record-Highs In Registrants, Positions: http://www.nrmp.org/press-release-mrm-results-and-data-2020/

Seneca Williams, LMHC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askcoachsen/

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Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

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Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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An OB-GYN’s Journey from Burnout to Balance

Dr. Hodon Mohamed describes herself as a part-time OB-GYN and a career coach. She gave up her job as a full-time OB-GYN almost three years ago when she started experiencing burnout.

After years of working in an academic center, covering three hospitals, Dr. Hodon Mohamed realized that there was more to life than medicine. Trying to be a mother, wife, daughter, and attentive physician to her patients left her with little time for herself. She made a career change to keep her health and happiness intact.

Now Dr. Mohamed helps other physicians design their ideal careers, whenever she’s not keeping up with her children’s ‘firsts’, celebrating milestones with her patients, or swimming on self-care Saturday.

As an IMG, it is quite easy to become consumed with the match process and lose sight of the bigger picture: Have you considered all the possibilities for your medical career? Are you taking care of you? It’s important that you check in with yourself about these questions even as you go through the match process.

In this episode, Dr. Mohamed shares her journey to letting go of an impossible lifestyle and embracing a more flexible, fulfilling career. She also dives into harsh realities you must know about as an IMG to stay happy and healthy as you climb in your career.

We get into:

[3:15] Some changes she wants to make in the world
[4:14] A look into her multicultural background
[5:02] How she found medicine
[26:41] When is the best time to start planning your post-residency career?
[30:28] What are some non-clinical careers out there for IMGs after going through residency?
[34:34] The value physicians generate vs. what physicians are paid
[38:37] Her thoughts on the role of IMGs in the future of US health care
[39:50] Her comments on the tension between nurse practitioners and physicians
[45:34] What Dr. Mohamed Hodon wants her legacy to be

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Dr. Hodon on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drhodon/

Merritt Hawkins Physician Compensation and Surveys Data

https://www.merritthawkins.com/candidates/job-seeker-resources/physician-compensation/

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Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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Find out how this IMG excelled in all 3 Step exams within 18 months.

Dr. Shion Betty had to get serious about completing his USMLE exams. That meant moving from Jamaica, his home country, to take up a Clinical Tutor role in Grenada. The move worked well for him. Within 18 months, he successfully completed all his exams with outstanding scores.

Now Dr. Betty is in an Internal Medical residency, standing out for the quality of care he offers his patients. He also remains committed to his faith and his growing family.

There is a lot to learn from this week’s episode. We delve into:

[3:18] – Why Dr. Bettty immigrated to Grenada and become a tutor
[5:37] – His most memorable patient
[8:17] – Why he decided to pursue residency training in the USA
[11:54] – What people just starting their match journey need to focus on first
[14:25] – How to prepare for the Step exams when you want to blow the Steps out of the water
[16:38] – Studying for USMLEs on a timetable while studying in a 5-year medical school
[19:37] – What makes you stand out in a residency program once you get in
[22:25] – How to adjust to limitations on the length of time you can spend with a patient when you’re not used to doing so
[24:30] – Dr. Betty’s plans for the future
[25:57] – Find out who Dr. Betty would most want to meet.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Apply to be a Clinical Tutor at St. George’s University:https://sgu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/5/home?c=sgu

Kaplan videos on demand: https://www.kaptest.com/usmle/courses/step-1-on-demand

UWorld: https://medical.uworld.com/

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Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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This IMG was excited to match... but his wife had an established career she would have to leave behind.

Dr. Darren Bodkin is married to accountant Alicia Archer Bodkin, thanks to a sneaky intervention partially coordinated by his twin brother. Their union took place in Trinidad and Tobago, the couple’s home country.

When Dr. Bodkin matched into residency in the United States, the couple was excited. For Dr. Bodkin, this meant the start of pediatrics training. For ACCA-qualified Alicia, it meant starting over.

Although she stepped out of the workforce after the couple moved, today Alicia is happily employed as a staff accountant in New York. Dr. Bodkin is nearing the end of his residency. Each of them has immeasurable wisdom to share with physician and non-physician couples migrating together after one partner matches.

In this episode Darren and Alicia talk about:

[4:05] - How did they meet
[6:42] - What it’s like having a spouse go through the residency match process
[10:21] - How did it feel while planning to take the “jump” financially?
[12:55] - Their tips for non-physician and physician couples relocating together
[15:55] - Alicia tells us about work before, during, and after her husband matched.
[18:18] - Their challenges with adjusting to New York
[21:05] - Alicia gives us an update about what she’s currently doing career-wise
[24:51] - Their top advice for physician and non-physician couples that plan on relocating together
[29:16] - Things that couples with young children should think about
[34:21] - Find out who Alicia and Darren would most like to meet.

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Dr. Darren Bodkin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbodz21/

Alicia Archer Bodkin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali.vivant/

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Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

_________________________________

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode.

Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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One Kenyan IMG’s story of overcoming obstacle after obstacle to match into Internal Medicine

When Dr. Khadija Tayabali started preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Examination, she hadn’t planned on becoming a mother anytime soon. But, within months of commencing her studies, she discovered she was carrying her now 6-year-old daughter. Surprise!

A graduate of the University of Nairobi, Dr. Tayabali had already immigrated from Kenya to the United States with her husband, also a physician, having won a U.S. Diversity Visa. With no social support like the kind they would have had in Kenya, Dr. Tayabali and her husband had to team up to overcome one obstacle after the next until they both matched.

Dr. Tayabali’s wisdom for those applying to the match is as hard-won as it is priceless.

In this episode we cover:

[2:52] — Dr. Tayabali’s Indian roots and Kenyan lineage.
[3:54] — Why Dr. Tayabali dropped out of her pre-med program in the United States when she was 18 years old.
[4:45] — Her experience at the University of Nairobi
[11:48] — Why Dr. Tayanali decided to move the U.S. before completing her Step exams
[14:49] — Finding out she was pregnant
[19:58] — Dr. Tayabali’s tips for excelling in the USMLE Step 1 exam
[23:49] — Dr. Tayabali’s word on having grit and motivation
[33:22] —What happened when she failed to match the first time.
[35.48] — How she has changed since beginning residency training
[52:36] — Her favorite artiste

And so much more!

Resources mentioned during this episode:

Dr. Tayabali on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativemedic/

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program

https://www.usa.gov/green-cards#item-34962

Find out more at www.imgresidencymatch.com

To join the IMG Residency Match Accelerator, click here to apply for a suitability interview. https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17346001&appointmentType=9498458

Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

Thank you for listening to this week’s episode. Do rate and subscribe. Don’t forget to share the podcast with at least one of your colleagues applying to the match; success is much sweeter when it’s shared.

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The International Medical Graduate Residency Match podcast premieres this Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Listen for insider strategies and inspiration to help you match into residency.

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Want our support so you can match?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE SUITABILITY INTERVIEW

https://imgresidencymatch.lpages.co/applicationaccelerator/

The IMG Residency Match Podcast: Recent Episodes

Shawna-Kaye Lester