The IMG Roadmap Podcast: Recent Episodes
nina lum
The IMG Roadmap is the only podcast dedicated to guiding International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with success blueprints for this unique pathway. This podcast offers practical tools and equips IMGs with applicable strategies to achieve their “US doctor goals”. I do so by bringing information from successful physicians with first hand experience to students who are still in the process of becoming resident physicians. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
The Match can be an intimidating process, but you don’t have to face it alone–Join us as we interview Amanda from Match a Resident, dedicated to helping IMGs achieve success in the Match. Today, we break down key strategies for IMGs applying for U.S. residency. From securing impactful Letters of Recommendation to crafting a standout personal statement, Dr. Loom provides actionable advice to enhance your application.
Key Takeaways:
- Start Early: Begin your application preparations now to avoid last-minute stress.
- Letters of Recommendation: Strong, personalized letters are crucial. U.S.-based letters are beneficial but not mandatory. Ensure your letter writers have updated information about you.
- Personal Statement: Craft a compelling narrative that reflects your journey and motivations. Tailor it to your top programs, but focus on clarity and impact.
- Application Nuances: Address significant experiences or gaps in your impactful experiences section. Use the format that best highlights your strengths.
Sign up for Match a Resident for more valuable insights and use the code IMGRoadmap10 for 10% off your purchase!
Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:
- You can read more about the IMG Roadmap Course here: imgroadmap.com/p/2024
- You can read about what roadmappers say about the IMG Roadmap®️ Program here: drninalum.com/testimonials
- Find answers to our most common questions here: drninalum.com/faq
- Don't hesitate to reach out - email us:
- for IMG-related questions: drlum@imgroadmap.com
- for course-related questions: admin@imgroadmap.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts onApple podcasts, Youtube Music and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Welcome to another insightful episode of the IMG Roadmap Podcast, where we unravel the unique paths of IMGs in the medical field. In this episode, Dr. Justin Moreira takes us through his remarkable journey from pursuing diverse passions, including music, to ultimately securing a spot in radiation oncology. Keep listening to find out more about his unique journey!
Finding Purpose Amidst Pursuing Passions:
- Dr. Moreira shares his transition from exploring diverse interests, like music, to realizing his calling in medicine, particularly radiation oncology.
- Despite initial detours, his unwavering passion for oncology, fueled by personal experiences, remained the driving force.
Navigating the Match Process with Authenticity:
- He sheds light on matching without certain prerequisites, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and genuine interest in the specialty.
- Dr. Moreira's approach involved proactive engagement, mentorship, and leveraging resources like the Radiation Oncology Virtual Elective Rotation (ROVER).
Crafting a Comprehensive Application:
- Through meticulous planning, he strategically utilized all available experiences to showcase a well-rounded persona, integrating diverse extracurriculars and impactful personal narratives.
- Dr. Moreira emphasizes the significance of personalized letters of recommendation and meaningful research experiences in strengthening his application.
Tackling the Match:
- Delving into the intricacies of applying to both transitional and advanced specialty programs, Dr. Moreira demystifies the process, emphasizing the importance of persistence and resilience.
- He shares invaluable insights into navigating the complex landscape of residency applications and rankings, highlighting the role of thorough preparation and perseverance.
The Mantra for Success:
- Dr. Moreira's philosophy revolves around the simple yet profound principle of "showing up," emphasizing the transformative power of consistent effort, even in the face of challenges.
- His journey exemplifies the resilience and determination essential for aspiring physicians, inspiring others to persevere in pursuit of their dreams.
Reach out to Dr. Justin via:
- Instagram @JustinMoreira
- X (Formerly Twitter) @JustinMoreiraMD
- Email: justinmoreira@live.com
Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:
- You can read more about the IMG Roadmap Course here: imgroadmap.com/p/2024
- You can read about what roadmappers say about the IMG Roadmap®️ Program here: drninalum.com/testimonials
- Find answers to our most common questions here: drninalum.com/faq
- Don't hesitate to reach out - email us:
- for IMG-related questions: drlum@imgroadmap.com
- for course-related questions: admin@imgroadmap.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Join us as we delve into the world of IMG Roadmap, a comprehensive course designed to guide international medical graduates (IMGs) towards securing medical residency positions in the United States.
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Transforming Mindsets:
- Overcome self-doubt and demolish limiting beliefs with IMG Roadmap's transformative mindset sessions. Discover that you're not over-ambitious – you have what it takes to succeed!
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Weekly Teachings and Coaching:
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Tune in every Sunday and Wednesday for actionable insights and personalized coaching sessions. From networking strategies to perfecting your ERAS application, we've got you covered.
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Tailored Content for Success:
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Learn how to choose the right residency programs, ace interviews, and strategically navigate the match process with our tailored curriculum designed for IMGs.
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Comprehensive Curriculum:
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Explore key topics such as networking, US clinical experience (USCE), crafting standout personal statements, and mastering interview techniques.
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Additional Resources and Support:
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Gain access to templates, downloads, and a supportive community of fellow IMGs. Our self-paced component ensures flexibility while still providing essential guidance.
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Beyond the Match: Lifetime Access and Trifecta Service:
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Enjoy lifetime access to course materials and recordings, along with personalized critiques of your CV, personal statement, and letters of recommendation through my Trifecta Service.Join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:
You can read more about the program here: imgroadmap.com/p/2024
You can read about what roadmappers say about the IMG Roadmap®️ Program here: drninalum.com/testimonials
Find answers to our most common questions here: drninalum.com/faq
Don't hesitate to reach out - email us:
- for IMG-related questions: drlum@imgroadmap.com
- for course-related questions: admin@imgroadmap.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Are you worried about application "red flags" affecting your residency match prospects? Meet Dr. Troi Lake, IMG Roadmap Course Alum and pathology PGY-1 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital! Tune in to learn how she leveraged her experience and skills to achieve success despite various challenges.
Dr. Lake's Navigates Application Challenges:
Despite failed Step 1 attempts and personal hardships, she utilized resilience and strategic planning to overcome obstacles. She swears by the IMG Roadmap course as a key tool in helping her to stay ahead and create an effective plan.
Strategies for Success:
Leveraging networking opportunities on platforms like Twitter and tailoring her application showcased genuine interest.
In addition to this, Dr. Lake only applied to a shocking thirty programs: learn how being intentional in your application can revolutionize your experience in the match!
Embracing Resilience and Determination:
Having multiple Step 1 attempts, and having taken gap years, Dr. Lake's journey demonstrates that "red flags" can be overcome with resilience and determination, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth. She cites the IMG Roadmap course as having helped her reframe her perceived weaknesses into strengths.
Keep listening to learn how Dr. Lake defied the odds and secured a position at Johns Hopkins Hospital, inspiring IMG's everywhere!
You can reach out to Dr. Lake to continue the conversation via her:
X (formerly Twitter): @LakeTroi
Email: troialakefl@gmail.com
Are you considering signing up for the IMG Roadmap Course to see what all the hype is about? Click here to join the waitlist for the new cohort starting in April!*
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Welcome to an exclusive episode tailor-made for ambitious International Medical Graduates (IMGs) like you. The realm of Neurology comes to life through the stories of extraordinary IMGs who not only overcame hurdles but excelled. If you're ready to unlock the secrets to conquering Neurology, stay tuned.
- Dr. Jessica Darusz: Discover the power of strategy and networking in securing a spot in Neurology, even when faced with academic challenges. Listen to her full episode here.
- Dr. Ima Ebong: Uncover the inspiring journey of transitioning from a foreign-background undergraduate pre-med student to a US medical school success in Neurology. Listen to her full episode here.
- Dr. Darshana Vijaywargiya: Dive into the world of adaptability, strategic USMLE preparation, and securing a path in Neurology, driven by a unique perspective on competitiveness. Listen to her full episode here.
Embark on your Neurology journey armed with insights, strategies, and triumphs from exceptional IMGs who blazed the trail. For personalized guidance, explore our website, social media, and consider joining our esteemed IMG Roadmap Course. Your path to Neurology excellence awaits – seize it today!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
***Discover the boundless possibilities in family medicine as we delve into the inspiring journey of Dr. Ngozi Ude-Oshiyoye. In this episode, Dr. Ude shares the intricacies of her unique career path, providing valuable insights for those considering family medicine.
Unleashing Possibilities in Family Medicine:
- Dr. Ngozi Ude-Oshiyoye shares her unique journey in family medicine.
- Encourages listeners to explore the vast possibilities within the field.
Transforming Traditional Practice:
- Dr. Ude-Oshiyoye discusses her initial dissatisfaction with traditional family medicine.
- Reveals how she transformed her career for greater autonomy and fulfillment,
Entrepreneurial Insights:
- Valuable gems on the importance of multiple income streams and entrepreneurship in family medicine.
- Dr. Ude-Oshiyoye's journey of combining diverse interests with her medical career.
Establishing a Private Practice:
- Step-by-step guide to establishing a private practice in family medicine.
- Emphasis on sales, marketing, and networking for success.
Offering Esthetic Services:
- Dr. Ude-Oshiyoye's pivot into esthetic services alongside traditional family medicine.
- Insights on leveraging medical knowledge, obtaining certifications, and seeking mentorship.
Stay connected
Visit the website of Dr. Ude’s practice Apple Valley Family Medicine Inc. to explore her services and exciting career opportunities. She's hiring!
Don't miss her podcast, Weekly Dose with Dr. Ude, for more engaging content.
For inquiries, reach out to the practice at 304-350-1087 or DM Dr. Ude on Instagram @applevalley_dr.ude!
Check out the American Board of Family Medicine and The American Academy of Family Physicians official websites for more detailed information on the possible pathways you can take in this specialty!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Are you teetering on the edge of your US medical residency dreams, uncertain of the path ahead? Last year, students in the IMG Roadmap Course walked in your shoes, faced the same dilemmas, and emerged triumphant. In this exclusive podcast episode, you're invited to our IMG Roadmap Course Match Party. Despite a slightly shaky internet connection, the insights shared are nothing short of invaluable. Tune in and let us know in the comments if you're ready to embark on this transformative journey next year!
Highlights and Advice:
0:00-Introduction
Introducing the IMG Roadmap Match Party
2:20-Dr. Brittany Egeh
(Texas Tech Family Medicine)
Advice: "Listen to everything Dr. Lum says" and believe in yourself.
3:49-Dr. Pryia Simmons
(Campbell University Family Medicine, North Carolina)
Advice: Embrace rejection, be bold, and proactively reach out to programs.
6:53-Dr. Jessica Akpabio
(Residency in Cleveland, Ohio)
Top Lessons: Seize every opportunity, attend visits, network, and be sure to stand out.
14:27-Dr. Ivy Koufie
(OBGYN, University of Buffalo School of Medicine)
Advice: Don't hesitate to seek help--you can't do it all alone. IMG Roadmap inspired her to be bold, and ask for what she needed.
16:13-Dr. Crystal Ibetoh
(Family Medicine, EC Health Network Mississippi (SOAP Process))
Advice: Emphasizes the importance of networking, echoing IMG Roadmap Course's guidance.
17:20-Dr. Ravneet Gill
(Internal Medicine, Ohio)
Advice: Reach for your dreams, ignore naysayers! She advises me to consider starting a Residency RoadMap Program inspired by IMG Roadmap Course's success.
19:13-Dr. Simone Gadpaille
(Bold Participant of the Course)
Urges working with someone you resonate with, citing the IMG Roadmap Course with providing her with this community that she craved.
34:42- Anonymous MD
(Family Medicine)
Advice: Stand out by initiating projects aligned with passion.
36:21-Dr. Oluwatosin Emehinola
(Internal Medicine, St. Michaels, New Jersey)
Advice: "Just do it," network boldly, and take the leap, as inspired by IMG Roadmap Course.
41:07-Dr. Zainab Saddiq
(Family Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin)
Advice: Overcome your introverted nature, put yourself out there. She credits the IMG Roadmap Course for instrumental guidance.
Huge congrats to these incredible docs on their residency matches! Are you considering joining the IMG Roadmap Coursefor the next cycle to increase your chances of doing the same?
Your journey awaits – let's make it a victorious one together!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Are you facing what feels like failure when you didn't match the first time? Nigerian-born Dr. Oby Egeolu has been where you are and she is here today to share her journey from struggles to success, offering valuable insights for IMGs.
Key Insights:
- Wondering if Kaplan is worth it? Dr. Oby emphasizes personal effort and shares effective study strategies.
Stepping Up Step 2 Scores:
- Struggling with the idea of a low step one score? Dr. Oby's journey from just scoring the pass mark in step one to a whopping 230 in step 2 reveals crucial insights on how you can do the same!
Navigating Match Challenges:
- After three match attempts, what changed? Dr. Oby shares how personalized personal statements, networking, and transforming her weaknesses into strengths led to success.
Mastering the Interview Game:
- Transforming 0 interviews into 4: Dr. Oby highlights the importance of open house events, pursuing a master's degree, and optimizing your application package.
Beyond Borders:
- Unlocking opportunities with the National Interest Waiver: Dr. Oby's journey explores work authorization, residency application insights, and the path for academically qualified foreign medical professionals in the US.
Connect with Dr. Oby:
Ready for guidance? Reach out to Dr. Oby Egeolu on Instagram: @dr.oby_egeolu.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Welcome to an extraordinary episode designed exclusively for ambitious International Medical Graduates (IMGs) like you. In the riveting world of Emergency Medicine, we've gathered insights from remarkable IMGs who not only matched but excelled. If you're ready to unlock the secrets to securing your spot in this high-demand field, stay tuned.
- Dr. Hakman: Discover the foolproof way to enhance your chances in Emergency Medicine – always aim beyond the minimum requirements and give your absolute best. Listen to his full episode here.
- Dr. Brown: Wondering what your journey will look like? Follow Dr. Brown's structured approach and understand the significance of Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOEs). Listen to her full episode here.
- Dr. Grigoryan: Explore the journey of an old IMG with a non-traditional background, proving that determination and resilience can conquer even the toughest challenges. Listen to her full episode here.
- Dr. Akinfemiwa: Worried about visas for a competitive specialty like Emergency Medicine? Learn from Dr. Akinfemiwa's strategic approach of applying to programs offering sponsorship. Listen to her full episode here.
- Dr. Zekar: No official US Clinical Experience (USCE)? Discover an unconventional path as Dr. Zekar shares her journey of using extracurricular rotations and agency support to secure her place. Listen to her full episode here.
Embark on your transformative journey in Emergency Medicine armed with insights, experiences, and strategies from these exceptional IMGs.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Are you concerned that exam anxiety might hinder you on your pursuit of US medical residency?
Today, we discuss the inspiring journey of Dr. Pooja Sharma, a US IMG, as she navigated and triumphed over exam anxiety, paving her way to a rewarding career in sports medicine in the US.
In this episode, gain insights into:
- Dr. Sharma's unique approach: Starting with a residency in family medicine and progressing to a non-operative sports medicine fellowship.
- Overcoming exam challenges: Discover how Dr. Sharma adjusted her strategies, turning setbacks during her COMP exam into motivating victories.
- Presenting yourself as the ideal candidate: Learn how Dr. Sharma scored over 15 residency interviews during her application period.
- The power of authenticity: Dr. Sharma stresses the importance of owning your journey, showcasing personal growth, and proving resilience to program directors.
Join us for a riveting episode as Dr. Sharma journeys from medical school to a successful US residency!Connect with Dr. Sharma through her Instagram: @family2sportsmedicine for more valuable advice to help you on your journey.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. DD, an international medical graduate (IMG) and founder of YoungerSelf MD, a business that offers medical rotations and valuable insights for aspiring physicians.
Dr. DD has an impressive background, holding a master's degree in international health policy and management, graduating from the University of Benin Medical School, and completing her internal medicine residency at Columbia University in New York.
Key Highlights:
- Dr. Didi's journey from Nigeria to becoming an adjunct professor at the Morehouse School of Medicine.
- Her expertise as a board-certified internist and nephrologist.
- The focus of her episode: essential questions for finding a mentor, networking tips, and career advancement strategies.
- Younger Self Md's offerings: rotations in primary care, internal medicine, nephrology, and a strong focus on prevention.
- Practical advice on reaching out to potential mentors, emphasizing the importance of persistence.
Insights from the Episode:
- The value of written letters and multiple follow-up emails when reaching out to potential mentors.
- Dr. Didi's role as an adjunct professor, offering mentorship and guidance to medical students.
- Details about the rotations offered at Younger Self Md and how interested individuals can reach out.
Reach out to Dr. DD via:
- YoungerSelf MD: Youngerselfmd.com
- Email: admin@youngerselfmd.com
- Phone: (404) 566-4623
Listen to her TEDx talk here!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2024! Click here to join the 2024 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Ever faced a setback on your journey to becoming a physician?
Dr. Jessica Akpabio conquered multiple exam setbacks and faced the match process four times, proving that setbacks can be stepping stones to success. Tune in to find out more about how she accomplished this feat!
What does it take to persist after not matching three times?
In this episode, Dr. Akpabio shares the power of mentorship and how finding the right mentor can navigate challenges in the pursuit of residency.
Ever felt the weight of "failure" in your medical journey?
Dr. Akpabio shatters the silence around not matching, emphasizing the transformative force of acknowledging and learning from setbacks.
How can networking be a game-changer for residency?
Explore Dr. Akpabio's strategic approach to networking, attending open houses, and making lasting impressions on the journey to a successful medical career.
Ever considered unconventional roles in healthcare before residency?
Dr. Akpabio's journey involves serving in logistics and consulting, showcasing the impact of niche employment in the competitive field of medicine.
What goes into creating a personal statement that stands out?
Discover the art of crafting a winning personal statement that resonates with program directors and reflects your unique story.
Ever wondered about the magic of determination meeting opportunity?
Dr. Akpabio's story reveals the mindset that propelled her forward, proving that success is inevitable with the right mindset.
Stay connected
You can reach out to Dr. Jessica Akpabio on Linkedin or through her Instagram @drjessakpabio. Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about her fascinating journey!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2024.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Click here to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
Quick pause!
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Are you considered an "Old IMG" in your pursuit of US medical residency? Do you believe it's impossible to achieve your dream residency while juggling family responsibilities? Are you concerned about transitioning from studying medicine in another language to passing the boards in English?
In this captivating episode, we have Dr. Marie-Ange Alexandre, an exceptional IMG from Haiti who studied in Cuba and Spain, sharing her incredible journey of overcoming challenges and securing the residency of her dreams. Join us for an insightful discussion as Dr. Marie-Ange reveals her secrets to success. Get ready for an episode filled with inspiration and valuable insights. Are you ready to defy the odds and pursue your dream residency? Tune in now for all the juicy details!
Here are the highlights of this episode:
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Discover the possibilities for "old IMGs" as Dr. Marie-Ange shares her journey of pursuing residency in the US after studying medicine in another language.
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Find out how Dr. Marie-Ange managed to balance her responsibilities as a doctor, mother, and wife while pursuing her residency goals.
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Learn from Dr. Marie-Ange's experience of facing USMLE failure and how she persevered, identified her knowledge gaps, and successfully passed the exam on her second attempt.
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Gain insights into the resilience and determination it takes to overcome setbacks, as Dr. Marie-Ange shares her story of not matching the first time and how she worked to improve her application for a successful match the second time.
Don't miss this powerful episode filled with practical advice and inspiration for IMGs looking to pursue their dream residency!
Check out our latest webinar here!
You can reach out to Dr. Marie-Ange via:
Instagram: @mariangealexandremd
Twitter: @Angou15
Facebook: M A Calixte Alexandre
Email: angou23@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Imagine going from 0 publications to 15 peer-reviewed papers in just two years. Sound impossible? Well, not for Dr. Jia Ng, an exceptional Nephrologist, researcher, and mentor. Dr. Ng has already graced us with her presence on the podcast in a previous episode, and now it's time to dive deeper into the path from IMG to residency triumph in this captivating interview on Dr. Ng's channel.
Here are a few of the highlights of this episode:
- External challenges faced by IMGs during the residency match process:
- Lower retention rates and limited Medicare-funded spots
- Overcoming challenges through mirroring US students' standards, discipline, and dedication
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Persistence, research, and strategic networking as key strategies
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Internal challenges IMGs may face during the residency process:
- Impostor syndrome and lack of adaptability
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Strategies for building a strong foundation, developing resilience, seeking mentorship, and embracing transferable skills
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The crucial role of research in boosting an IMG's application and matching into competitive residency programs:
- Dr. Ng's firsthand experience as an NIH funded researcher
- Research showcases discipline, critical thinking skills, and dedication to improving the medical field
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Active participation in research elevates applications and sets IMGs apart from competitors
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The IMG Roadmap Program: a comprehensive resource for navigating the challenging residency process:
- Created by an IMG who personally experienced the trials and tribulations of the match process
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Addresses common pitfalls and provides tools for developing a competitive application
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Conclusion: Insights into external and internal challenges faced by IMGs, practical strategies, and the importance of research and the IMG Roadmap Program in achieving residency success.
Click here to view the entire live broadcast on Dr. Ng's Channel.
You can also reach out to Dr. Ng via:
@jiahweing on Twitter
@publishmd on Youtube
@publishedmd on Instagram
And through her website publishedmd.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
Quick pause!
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
As an IMG, the match process can seem daunting, but fear not! In this episode, we interviewed Dr. Asim Kichloo, an Indian-American IMG-turned-program director, who will provide valuable insights and guidance to help you navigate the program selection journey. Get ready to discover the answers to your burning questions and set yourself up for success!
Here are some of the highlights of this episode:
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The Journey from IMG to Program Director:
- Dr. Asim's inspiring journey from India to serving as a program director
- Persistence, determination, and humility as key factors
- Learn from his experiences and achievements
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The Role of a Program Director:
-
Program directors as service providers to the medical community
- Supporting new doctors in finding their passion and showcasing commitment
- Dr. Asim's approach to guiding IMGs in their medical careers
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Navigating the Art of Medicine
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Differences between the art and practice of medicine for IMGs
- Understanding nuances, ethics, and dynamics in the U.S. healthcare system
- Dr. Asim's strategies to help IMGs adapt and excel
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Dr. Asim's invaluable tips for success:
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Planning ahead to avoid last-minute rush
- Importance of step exams and gaining experience after graduation
- Additional advice to set IMGs up for successful interviews and match process
-
In Conclusion:
-
Dr. Asim's journey and role as a program director provide valuable insights
- Listen to the full episode for a deeper understanding of his wisdom and advice!
Feel free to reach out to Dr. Asim via his twitter @Asimkichloo if you have any questions that he can help you with.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
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Have you heard the news? The myERAS application system is going to be changing for the upcoming match cycle, in ways that can impact your residency journey! In this episode, we explore these updates, highlighting how they align with the principles that we've been sharing in the IMG Roadmap course. Let's dive into the key questions surrounding these changes and discover their implications for your success. Keep listening to find out more!
Here are some of the highlights of this episode with regard to the changes to be made to the system:
- Application now limited to 10 experiences, emphasizing relevance.
- Highlight your top three most meaningful experiences to showcase unique insights.
- Collect more descriptive information about experiences to provide context.
- Aim is to help program directors find ideal candidates by requiring applicants to create dynamic and holistic descriptions.
But what’s the underlying purpose of all of these changes? Are we reinventing the wheel?
The ultimate goal is to enable program directors to find their ideal candidates more effectively. By creating dynamic and holistic descriptions of your qualifications and experiences, you can demonstrate a strong fit with each program's preferences. The IMG Roadmap course especially emphasizes self-reflection to identify your strengths and effectively communicate how you align with program expectations.
Overall, The recent changes in the myERAS application system reflect a shift towards a more streamlined and insightful process for IMGs seeking residency in the US. By aligning with the principles we teach in the IMG Roadmap course, you can navigate these changes successfully!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2023! Click here to join the 2023 cohort as you build your medical success story.
As an IMG, the match process can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can increase your chances of success. That's why we spoke to a representative from Match A Resident to answer all your questions and help you navigate the program selection process. Keep listening to find out more!
Here are the highlights of this episode:
- Match A Resident representative answers all your questions to help you navigate the process.
- Choosing the right specialty is crucial. Consider primary and, if applicable, secondary specialty carefully. Determine eligibility and don't limit yourself.
- Factors like score cutoffs, graduation year, and the number of IMGs already in the program can affect your chances of success.
- Think about program type, like university-based or community-based programs, visa applications, and primary care prep or fellowship programs.
- Match A Resident can help you save money and find programs where you have the highest chances of success.
- Match A Resident updates their database by calling program directors directly to help you choose where to apply.
- USCE opportunities need to be valuable and need to help you stand out.
- Some programs prefer to hand pick applicants and avoid the randomness of the match. Keep looking for programs that align with your goals and apply strategically.
Sign up using our affiliate code IMGROADMAP at check out to get started with Match A Resident and increase your chances of success in the match process!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
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What will you do when you become a resident physician? Mentor others? Give back to your home town? Sponsor your family? Whatever it is, this is your time to make this dream come true!
Do not miss out on this opportunity! You deserve a residency position too, the IMG Roadmap coaching program is now open, click here to JOIN NOW!
As an IMG, applying for residency in the US can be an intimidating process, especially when you're trying to enhance your application package with US clinical experience, observerships, and other related opportunities. That's where AMOpportunities comes in to help! Today, we're talking to Kyle Swinsky, the CEO and co-founder of AMOpportunities, an organization dedicated to helping medical graduates secure residency and achieve their own medical stories.
Here a few highlights of this episode:
- Organization helps medical graduates, especially IMGs, secure residency and achieve their career goals
- AMOpportunities has over 600 training sites around the US, with a team focused on bringing in IMGs
- Helps students find opportunities in rural areas as well as urban centers like California, New York, and Illinois
- Offers observerships and visa support, with an in-house legal team that can help with letters of support and exemptions
- Goal is to provide a diverse learning environment for all students and maximize learning
- High match rate of 75% for IMGs compared to the general match rate of 60%
- AMOpportunities has helped thousands of students successfully navigate the residency application process
Feel free to sign up for AMOpportunities using my affiliate link here!
You can also reach out to Dr. Swinsky and his team on Instagram @AMOpportunities and other social media.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2023! Click here to join the 2023 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Are you an International Medical Graduate (IMG) preparing for the USMLE exams? Do you feel like the odds are stacked against you? Today's guest, Nigerian-born USMLE guru Dr. Adesina, is here to share his wisdom on how to overcome the challenges and achieve your dream. Keep listening to find out how!
Here are the highlights of this episode:
- Introduction: Nigerian-born USMLE guru Dr. Adesina shares his wisdom on how IMGs can overcome the challenges of preparing for the USMLE exams.
- Dr. Adesina founded Smash USMLE to help IMGs navigate the process and achieve success.
- Dr. Adesina understands the pressure and difficulty that the USMLE and COMLEX exams present.
- Key advice for IMGs on acing the USMLE exams the first time.
- Despite recent changes to the USMLE Step 1 exam format, Dr. Adesina remains confident in the importance of mastering both basic and clinical sciences.
- Dr. Adesina's strategy emphasizes the importance of properly preparing for Step 1 to excel on Step 2.
- Strategies for sourcing US Clinical experience to help IMGs be as competitive as possible in the residency match process.
- Smash USMLE doesn't just focus on exam prep, but also on training better physicians and making a positive impact in the community.
- Dr. Adesina's ultimate goal is to help IMGs fulfill their dreams of becoming doctors, no matter the obstacles they face.
Enroll in Smash USMLE today at smashusmle.com/enroll and feel free to use my affiliate code at smashusmle.com/drlum to get started on your journey to becoming the best physician you can be!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2023! Click here to join the 2023 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Today, our guest Dr. Angela Banks Paulino, an IMG from the Dominican Republic, shares her inspiring story of how she scored internal medicine residency and subsequently a fellowship at Harvard!
Here are some highlights of this episode:
- Ever wondered if you can do the USMLE in 1 year? Dr. Paulino took her USMLE exams while working as a practitioner in the Dominican Republic, starting with Step 1 and Step 2 CS and CK over the course of a year and a half. She also purchased high yield books in English and did practice questions to prepare.
- Money problems holding you back? Despite facing challenges such as limited guidance and financial costs, Dr. Paulino strategically applied to programs with a higher Hispanic population and more suited to her demographic, ultimately scoring 14 interviews and matching on her first attempt.
- Do you think your life need to come to a hold while on your IMG journey? Dr. Paulino emphasizes the importance of networking and knowing where to apply, finding joy and grounding in personal relationships and activities outside of medicine. She also encourages others to showcase their hard work and present themselves confidently when applying to programs.
You can reach out to Dr. Paulino using the following:
Instagram: @doctor.banksTwitter: @drangelabanksAnd her youtube channel here!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2023! Click here to join the 2023 cohort as you build your medical success story.
Are you an international medical graduate (IMG) looking to secure a medical residency in the United States? The match process can be intimidating and stressful, but you don't have to do it alone. The IMG Roadmap program is here to help you on your journey to success with its sturdy support system and valuable resources.
In this episode, we're featuring testimonials from past students who have gone through the IMG Roadmap program and experienced firsthand the positive impact it has made on their match process. Here are some pearls of advice they would like to share with prospective students:
- Following the course's guidance and reaching out to program directors for interviews.
- Writing personalized personal statements for multiple programs
- Aiming high and not limiting your potential.
- Asking for help and leveraging the mentorship and support provided by the IMG Roadmap program.
- Exploring options and not giving up, even if you end up in the SOAP process.
- Networking using the templates and guidance provided by the IMG Roadmap program
- Reaching for your dreams and not settling for less.
- Taking action and putting yourself out there to gain clinical experience opportunities and letters of recommendation.
- More testimonials can be found here.
- To join this year's cohort of the IMG Roadmap Course, click here.
Join the IMG Roadmap program today and confidently navigate the match process to achieve your medical residency dream in the United States!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
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The IMG Roadmap Program is back, bigger and better in 2023! Click here to join the 2023 cohort as you build your medical success story.
As an IMG preparing for the USMLE, you may have concerns about the recent changes to Step 1 scoring, which has shifted from a numeric score to pass/fail. This change has both advantages and disadvantages, especially for IMGs who need to demonstrate their competitiveness in the match process.
Here are the highlights discussed in this episode:
- IMGs may have concerns about recent changes to USMLE Step 1 scoring, which has shifted to pass/fail.
- Previously, Step 1 scores were used to showcase competitiveness, but now IMGs may lose that opportunity.
- Focus on obtaining a high score on Step 2, as it may become a new filtering criteria for program directors.
- Other aspects of your application, such as volunteering, research, and observerships, are still important.
- Consider enrolling in the six-week coaching course, IMG Roadmap, for expert guidance on mastering the USMLE steps and successful matching.
- Benefits of the course include study partners, emphasis on question banks, and manageable time commitment.
- Check out a free resource at DrNinaLum.com/webinars for pitfalls to avoid during the match process.
- Coaching enrollment is open for April cohort, starting on April 23rd with orientation on April 17th.
- Visit DrNinaLum.com/testimonials to hear past student reviews.
- With the right strategies and preparation, IMGs can still showcase competitiveness and match into desired residency program despite changes in Step 1 scoring.
As you consider whether to join the upcoming April cohort, I invite you to check out a free resource at DrNinaLum.com/webinar, where you can learn about the worst pitfalls to avoid during the match process. Coaching enrollment is now open, starting on April 23rd with orientation on April 17th. Don't just take my word for it, visit DrNinaLum.com/testimonials to hear what past students have to say about the course. Their reviews may surprise you!
Remember, while the changes to Step 1 scoring may seem daunting, with the right strategies and preparation, you can still showcase your competitiveness and successfully match into your desired residency program.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
Transitioning to the US medical system as an international medical graduate (IMG) can be a daunting task. However, with careful planning and preparation, it can be a successful journey. In this blog post, we will share the story of an IMG who accepted apre-match offer at Mount Sinai in pediatrics, and provide tips and recommendations for IMGs who are starting their own journey. Keep listening to find out more!
Here are some of the highlights of this episode:
Guest: Dr. Avanthika Chaithanya, a recent international medical graduate who matched into a pediatrics residency at Mount Sinai.
Overview: In this episode, Dr. Avanthika Chaithanya shares her journey to matching into apediatrics residency in the US. She talks about her experience taking the USMLE exams, preparing for the match process, and dealing with online interviews dueto COVID-19. She also offers tips and advice for other IMGs who are navigatingthe same journey.
Key Points:
Dr. Avanthika Chaithanya graduated medical school in March 2021 and was supposed to apply for the match, but due to COVID-19 disrupting the exam process, she had to push her application to the following year.
She used this time to take the USMLE Step 1, 2, and 3 and do more observerships.
She studied usingresources like Uworld, Firstaid, Pathoma, Sketchy, OnlineMedEd, and CCScases.com.
Dr. Avanthika Chaithanya had to deal with time differences for interviews and contact since she is in India while preparing for the match, but it was manageable in the end.
Her program agreed to sponsor an H1B visa for her.
Dr. Avanthika Chaithanya's advice for other IMGs includes starting the journey as early as possible, finding a good mentor to guide them, doing lots of research, volunteering, and gaining relevant clinical experience, and tailoring their application to the specialty of their interest.
She encourages IMGs to have confidence and believe in themselves and not to give up despitediscouraging circumstances.
Closing: Dr. Avanthika Chaithanya's journey is proof that with determination and hard work, IMGs can match into residency programs in the US. Her advice and tips are invaluable to those who are navigating the same journey.
You can reach out to Dr. Chaitanya @Paneer__tikka on Instagram.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
Are you worried that your non-traditional background would keep you back during your application for US medical residency? Tune in to find out how Dr. Toyosi Adeoye was able to defy the odds and score a medical residency in the competitive field of obstetrics and gynecology!
Here are some of the highlights of the episode:
- Introduction to Dr. Toyosi Adeoye, a Nigerian medical doctor who started medical school at the age of 16 with a non-traditional medical background.
- Dr. Adeoye's journey through medical school, including relocating due to a hurricane and doing clinical rotations in Chicago.
- The challenges Dr. Adeoye faced due to her non-traditional background, and how she worked to overcome them by participating in extracurricular activities and volunteering.
- Dr. Adeoye's advice for preparing for medical exams, including studying for exams, doing practice tests, and working on weak points.
- Dr. Adeoye's advice for applying for a medical residency, including rotating in the specialty, getting research done, accumulating volunteer experience, and getting a mentor.
- Dr. Adeoye's experience applying for a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, including the letters of recommendation she obtained.
- Dr. Adeoye's final advice for those with non-traditional medical backgrounds looking to score a residency: don't self-reject, be kind to yourself, and give yourself a fighting chance.
You can reach out to Dr. Toyosi on either of her instagram accounts @Medictey and @Toyosi__a
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
- Introduction: It's important for physicians to understand the legal aspects of their employment contracts.
- Guest speaker: Michael Johnson, an experienced lawyer who specializes in physician contracts.
-
Three crucial things physicians should know before signing a contract:
- Residency contracts are typically non-negotiable, but it's important to find out if your contract allows for moonlighting.
- For your first attending contract, it's essential to start familiarizing yourself with the kind of contract you're looking for and making the necessary calls from the spring of the previous year.
- If you're on a visa, it's important to understand the timeline and how to terminate your contract to avoid complicated litigation.
- Compensation: Physicians should carefully review their contracts to prevent employers from exploiting loopholes. A good contract should be easy to understand, and a lawyer can guide physicians to negotiate for a phantom hourly rate for a fixed set of responsibilities.
- Johnson advises physicians to reach out to colleagues and ask questions before signing a contract.
- Conclusion: Understanding physician contracts is crucial for every physician, and working with a lawyer who specializes in physician contracts can provide valuable insights and guidance. Physicians should carefully review their contracts, ask questions, and seek legal help if needed to protect themselves and their careers.
You can reach out to Michael Johnson esq. via:
His Instagram @physicancontracts
His website physiciancontracts.com.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
Are you worried about starting your medical journey or residency because of your age? Don't be! Dr. Jessica Dauphin, a US IMG and family medicine resident, is here to prove that age is just a number when it comes to success.
Here are the highlights of this episode:
- Introduce Dr. Jessica Dauphin, a family medicine resident and US IMG
- Dr. Dauphin’s background: graduated from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in 2015 and studied medicine in her late twenties
- Dr. Dauphin’s medical school curriculum: 4 years of undergrad, 2 years of basic sciences taught in English, 2 clinical years taught in Spanish, and a final internship year in Mexico or the U.S.
- Dr. Dauphin’s match journey: applied three times, used persistence and networking to make herself a better applicant each year, and ultimately matched on her third try
- The importance of Step 3 for IMGs: shows programs that you’re capable of passing the boards and being a successful physician
- How Dr. Dauphin feels now: thankful to be living her dream despite being older than her colleagues
Get in Touch with Dr. Dauphin: If you're facing a similar situation, you can connect with Dr. Dauphin at Jessica_dauphin@yahoo.com for advice and tips. You can also visit my website for further guidance.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
Are you interested in getting into a competitive specialty such as Pediatrics but don't know where to start? Our guest today, US-IMG Dr. Christina Abi Kheir, is here to share her journey and offer tips on how to succeed in the residency match process.
Some highlights from her journey discussed in this episode include:
- Hard work in establishing virtual connections to substitute in-person rotations
- Taking courses to build her CV and staying in touch with clinical skills
- Emailing program directors, searching their social media, and creating a Twitter account to network
- Reaching out for coaching and interview practice
- Not matching the first time and going through the SOAP process to reach out to program directors with available spots
- Seeking feedback and improvement to make herself more marketable as an applicant
For those considering pediatric residency, she suggests:
- Applying to community-based programs
- Doing a lot of volunteering to show community involvement
- Being able to fit in with the residents and the culture of the program
- Embracing your diverse background as a strength
Her mantra for success is to not fear failure, always give 200% effort, and not lose focus. Connect with Dr. Kheir on Twitter at @Christinakheir and Instagram @drbabysteps.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
Have you ever heard that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) can’t secure spots in top programs and competitive specialties? Dr. Rhanderson Cardoso, a successful cardiologist at Harvard Medical School at the Brigham Women's Faulkner Hospital, is here to prove otherwise!
Background:
- Currently working at Harvard Medical School
- Attended Medical school in Brazil
- Completed Internal Medicine residency at University of Miami, where he served as a chief resident
- Cardiology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins followed by Imaging Fellowship at Harvard Medical School
- Stays on as faculty and performs research and teaches residents
Match Journey:
- Dr. Cardoso's dream was always to complete medical residency in the US
- ECMFG provided the opportunity for him to do so
- Completed Step 1 in his 5th year of medical school and had observerships in the US
- Despite the lack of people taking the same path, he applied for residency just after graduation
- Mistakes in application: no publications and applied to too few programs
- Matched at University of Miami and was able to secure better programs in the future
Challenges:
- Matched and completed residency on J1
- Long residency (3 years of medicine, 1 year of chief residency, and 3 years of fellowship)
- Had to apply for extension for additional training in cardiac imaging
- Took on a position in academic institution after residency and now has an O visa
Research Difficulty:
- As a 1st-year resident, he had limited time to do research
- He learned systematic review and meta-analysis to become more appealing to collaborators and mentors
Barriers for IMGs:
- Financial expenses
- English language proficiency
- Difficulty in getting meaningful research done
Webinar: Dr. Cardoso is hosting a webinar on February 28th on the publication roadmap. You can find more information on his Instagram @rhandersoncardoso.md and @metaanalysis.academy.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
In this episode, we delve into the world of medical residency visas in the US and explore the options available to international medical graduates (IMGs). Our guest, Dr. Ifeoma Ogbuka, shares her journey and provides tips and insights to help you navigate the visa process with ease.
Highlights:
- How Dr. Ogbuka scored 12 residency interviews
- Completing a fellowship on a visa
- The Conrad 30 Waiver Program
- The role of the Department of State and USCIS in the visa process
- Tips for a smoother visa application
- The Appalachian Regional Commission and its resources for IMGs
- Working with a lawyer for visa issues during your transitioning phase
- Available free courses on Dr. Lum’s visa process at imgroadmap.com
Contact Information:
- Attorney Vanessa Seckin : vseckin@seckinlaw.com.
- Dr. Ifeoma Ogbuka: icdwrites@gmail.com
- IMG Roadmap: imgroadmap.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
I am bringing back the IMG Roadmap live program; this is an intensive but fast bootcamp to get you ready for the 2024 match cycle. If you want to be informed once we launch click here https://www.aceyourclinicals.com/2023!
As a resident, fellow, or attending physician, striking a work-life balance can be challenging. It's not always easy to prioritize our personal relationships, but it's essential for our overall well-being. With Valentine's Day around the corner, I wanted to bring in OBGYN and Intimacy Coach Dr. Sadaf Lodhi to help us maintain that special love in our busy lives.
Here is the outline of this episode:
- Introduction of the guest Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, an OBGYN and Intimacy Coach
- Discussion of the Biopsychosocial (BPS) model of health, which addresses biological, psychological, and social aspects of health and well-being
- Biological aspect includes physical health concerns such as exams, screenings, STI tests, contraception, and prenatal care
- Psychological aspect covers mental health, including feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, and the importance of therapy and coaching
- Social aspect focuses on maintaining relationships and friendships, finding local communities, and expanding knowledge through reading
- Tips to maintain and improve mental health: spending time with self and others, exercise, mindfulness, and outdoor walks
- Discussion of the relationship between stress and desire, and how cortisol levels can inhibit desire
- How to maintain desire, prioritize the romantic relationship, set aside quality time, and use Sensate Focus techniques to increase arousal and desire
- Emphasis on the importance of taking care of oneself during medical training.
Are there any questions that you would like to ask Dr. Lodhi for assistance? To schedule a meeting or group coaching session with her, you can visit drsadaf.com. You can also connect with her through her Instagram and Tiktok accounts @Drsadafobgyn, or listen to her on The Muslim Sex Podcast.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
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Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Click here to join the waitlist for the 2023 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
As an IMG, whether you have realized it or not, you are a pioneer. You’re doing what many others have failed to do and you’re doing it with finesse. Regardless, the journey to residency and post residency life can be complicated, but you have options! Dr. Nachelle Aurelien is here to share some of these options with you so that you can take ownership of your medical success story. Keep listening for the juicy details!
Here is the outline of this episode:
Highlights of Dr. Aurelien's journey.
Why didn’t she match the first time and how she did she do better the second time?
What is Dr. Aurelien’s day-to-day life like now?
What are some pieces of advice for those preparing their rank list?
What’s Dr. Aurelien’s advice for those who did not get interviews and have to SOAP?
What’s Dr. Aurelien’s advice for those preparing to apply in September in 2023?
Rapid fire: Who is Dr. Aurelien?
What is her favorite movie?
What’s her favorite food?
What’s her mantra for success?
Bet on yourself and prove yourself right.
Deal with impostor syndrome – Recognize all of the things that are stacked against you that you succeeded despite. When you get down, don’t stay down. Do not give up on yourself. You are the pioneer you need to make the change for your family. You will always have people cheering you on. You are a phenomenal physician. You are special, you didn’t allow yourself to let go of your dream.
You can reach out to Dr. Aurelien via:
@nachemd on Instagram
@nachemd on tiktok
And Nachelle Aurelien on Linkedin.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
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Click here to join the waitlist for the 2023 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
Dr. Ilan Shapiro is an advocate for IMGs from all over the world, with a focus on Hispanic countries. He has been able to make his voice of advocacy heard worldwide, stressing the importance of human compassion in medicine. Keep listening to find out more about Dr. Shapiro’s background, medical journey and his many inspirational tidbits!
Here’s an outline of what to expect this episode:
What is Dr. Ilan Shapiro’s background?
What was Dr. Shapiro’s IMG journey like?
How IMGs can deal with difficulties with matching:
What is Dr. Shapiro’s famous onion analogy?
How does Dr. Shapiro motivate IMGs who didn’t match?
What kind of work does Dr. Shapiro do for IMGs?
Dr. Shapiro is a media personality in healthcare. How did he get into this domain?
Rapid fire: Who is Dr. Shapiro?
You can reach out to Dr. Shapiro via:
-
Instagram: @Drshapps
-
His website.
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Click here to join the waitlist for the 2023 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
Do you have questions as to how to complete clinical research to boost your application into residency as an IMG? Dr. Jia Ng is here to save the day! Keep listening to find out all about her intriguing medical and professional journeys.
Board certified Nephrologist, assistant professor at Zucker School of medicine, and founder of Published Md, Dr. Ng coaches clinicians on how to build their authority and achieve academic goals.
Here is an outline of our interview with this inspiring physician:
What makes Dr. Ng an IMG?
What was Dr. Ng’s Pre-residency journey like?
What made Dr. Ng the resilient person she is?
As a visa applicant, how was she able to land such a fellowship opportunity?
How did Dr. Ng get her start in the research field?
What advice does Dr. Ng give to people who may be in a similar position to her during her first application?
How can IMGs make themselves more competitive?
What has Dr. Ng’s career as a physician been like?
And finally, Dr. Ng’s general advice to IMGs.
You can reach out to Dr. Ng via:
@jiahweing on Twitter
@publishmd on Youtube
@publishedmd on Instagram
And through her website publishedmd.com
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website!
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Click here to join the waitlist for the 2023 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!
Happy New Year from the IMG Roadmap to you! This episode features a webinar that was held to help IMGs like you plan their successful IMG journeys for the following year. Keep listening and feel free to do the exercises yourself!
- What are three things that you were proud of last year?
- What is one goal that you set for yourself in 2022 but did not end up achieving?
- Why did you not complete this goal? Honesty and Introspection are key!
- Pivoting from this, how can you plan to achieve all of your goals in 2023?
You may not have realized it, but you’ve just completed a SWOT analysis: You identified your Strengths (What you accomplished last year), Weaknesses (What you didn’t accomplish), Opportunities (How you can plan for 2023) and Threats (Why didn’t you accomplish your goals from last year).
The best advice is to cancel motivation and take action in the direction of the results you want to see.
- Write out 3 things you want to achieve this year.
- Separate your goals into bite-size pieces.
- Break your three new goals into actionable steps that you can accomplish throughout the first quarter of the year and then repeat these steps for the remaining quarters!
Follow us on Instagram for supportive content and download our targeted planner from our website to complete this analysis yourself.
Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter and consider joining our program in the spring to kick start your IMG journey in 2023.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
2022 was surely a year to remember with so many lives being touched by the IMG Roadmap course and podcast. Thank you for journeying with us and making this our biggest year yet. We appreciate you!
Stay tuned for our Best of 2022, determined by the ten episodes that you listened to and downloaded the most this year!
Episode #1: 101. How Today's Women Can Excel in Their Personal and Professional Lives - An Interview With Tami Adeleke (@takeoffwithtami)
Episode #2: 90. IMGRoadmap Series #89 Dr. Marc Katz (Cardiology)
Episode #3: 91. IMGRoadmap Series #90 Dr. Aditi Agrawal (Psychiatry)
Episode #4: 92. How to Complete Your Most Challenging Tasks of 2022 as an IMG
Episode #5: 95. IMGRoadmap Series #93 Dr. Paul M. Osunwa, Jr. (Anesthesiology)
Episode #6: 94. IMGRoadmap Series #92 Dr. Deborah Makinde (Internal Medicine)
Episode #7: 96. IMGRoadmap Series #94 Dr. Agyingi Kimbong (Internal Medicine)
Episode #8: 93. IMGRoadmap Series #91 Dr. Adannia Enyioha (Pediatrics)
Episode #9: 99. IMG Roadmap Series #96: Dr. Enaka Yembe (Family Medicine)
Episode #10: 97. 2022 IMG Match Results & FAQ's about the IMGRoadmap Course!
Click here to download your free 2023 IMG Roadmap calendar as we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
You can also listen to all full episodes of the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
A Clinical Fellow is defined as “a doctoral level health professional whose interest focusses on biomedical research”. In the IMG roadmap program, this has never been seen as an alternative path to residency since most international doctors choose residency as their first option.
Let’s explore how this young doctor has achieved this feat by choosing an alternative route!
Dr. Siegried Chin, a Philippines’ native, migrated to the United States in 2020 and became a permanent citizen in 2021 after her graduation from the De la Falle Medical and Health Science Institute in 2017.
Like many of her fellow IMG colleagues, Dr. Chin admittedly encountered many challenges during the match season. She applied to 120 programs and scored 5 interviews, none of which were successful.
Cognizant of her own weaknesses by attaining a low step one score, Dr. Chin, though devastated for not being matched, did not wallow in self-pity, but decided to utilize the available online resources for the sole purpose of networking on several social media platforms to boost her future chances.
It was then that she was introduced to a doctor who had migrated from the Philippines and had graduated from the fellow program of which she ultimately became part.
Dr. Chin is currently working as a Memory Disorder Pre-Clinical Fellow at the Augusta University in Georgia. She was fortunate to have received a five-year NIH grant for studies at this extraordinary program. She states that she is getting hands on knowledge when dealing with patients who have Alzheimers or Parkinson’s Disease along with other related disorders.
As a fellow, which is a paid position, she performs similar functions as a PGY1, can see patients under the supervision of an attending, can prescribe medication and has a temporary license to practice.
Dr. Chin acclaims her success to her tenacity and shares the following tips with future IMGs:
- Have a strong support system of family and friends
- Be steadfast in your capabilities, and be realistic
- Network, foster academic friendships by joining support groups on social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others
- Remember to give back to the community and to others who were once in your position.
You can reach out to Dr. Chin through her Instagram @theresieggoes.
You can also listen to all full episodes of the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Do you ever struggle with self-doubt in your journey as an IMG? Dr. John Emmanuel is here today to share how he was able to overcome this struggle and achieve success. Keep listening to find out about his Medical Success Story!
Nigerian-born Dr. John Emmanuel is a Transformative Physician Leader committed to leveraging clinically innovative, health information technology and data analytical tools to solve complex problems around Quality Improvement, Value-Based Care and Practice Transformation in the continuum of care.
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, he migrated to the Caribbean for his medical studies where he experienced culture shock. Eventually, he was able to continue on his journey to the USA after acquiring his Visa.
To date, Dr. Emmanuel has worked in various capacities in the healthcare and clinical diagnostic industry. He even has previous experience working with one of the nation’s leading auditing firms as a Healthcare consultant with specialty in clinical documentation improvement and currently serves as in a CDI leadership capacity at one of the prestigious academic medical center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Though his path was nontraditional, he encountered challenges just like many others. His tenacity and drive to complete his studies caused him to waver, but he never quitted.
He is now offering his very own courses through FOS Consulting LLC to assist others in paving a way to success.
Other tips that helped him in his success were:
· Having a positive support system who would be your cheerleaders and serve as mentors
· Creating a five year and ten year plan
· Charting a vision board, outlining short term as well as long term goals
· Job sculpting by utilizing available data analysis
· Having the passion and not quit, remain resilient
· Having a purpose bigger than oneself.
Dr. Emmanuel’s day to day functions are in the field of Clinical Documentation Integrity. Some of his responsibilities include reviewing the medical records of a patient from admission to discharge.
He attributes his success to remaining marketable by constantly improving himself through taking courses and other means while never giving up!
You can connect with Dr. Emmanuel on his website www.fosconsulting.org& his Instagram @fosconsultingllc.
You can also listen to all full episodes of the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Sometimes, when applying for residency, you may feel like you don’t check all of the boxes on the program coordinators’ list. But you shouldn’t let this discourage you – proceed anyway! Dr. Anita Lwanga is here today to show us how persistence and belief in yourself can yield results. Keep listening to find out more!
Calling in from Western Canada where she grew up and did her undergraduate training, Dr. Lwanga begins by sharing some of her background:
- Born in Kenya, she is the daughter of Ugandan refugees who later migrated to Canada.
- Her father was an IMG in Canada after migrating. His hard work inspired her to study medicine, regardless of how difficult it was to get into Canadian schools.
- She attended medical school at the St. Matthews University in the Cayman Islands.
- Completed residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago.
- Engaged in a fellowship in geriatrics at the University of Illinois.
- Worked in Upstate New York.
- Moved back to Canada to practice as a general internist.
- She currently does both in-patient and out-patient work in her own clinic and at the hospital.
Dr. Lwanga’s unique residency story:
- She was sure to choose a medical school that friends and family had also attended.
- She did not match into residency the first time.
- The second time around, she landed some interviews.
- She ended up matching into a program for which her friend had gotten her an interview.
- At the winning interview, the program coordinators had said that they preferred green-card holders, which she wasn’t. Regardless, they were so impressed by her, that they chose her on the spot despite the odds!
As such, she advises IMGs to:
- Network as much as possible.
- Get LORs from experts who are known to the program coordinators.
- Be confident in what you have to offer. Capitalize on what makes you unique.
- Follow your gut!
As a former competitive gymnast, Dr. Lwanga is passionate about nutrition and exercise. She has high hopes for her practice and envisions a future where she will be able to see her patients with no rush and incorporate lifestyle medicine in her care.
You can reach out to Dr. Lwanga and learn more about her inspiring story via:
Linkedin: Anita Lwanga
Instagram: @lwangamd
Twitter: @lwangamd
Tiktok: @drlwanga
Access free resources and view our course catalog at imgroadmap.com.
You can also listen to all full episodes of the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Scoring a whopping 21 residency interviews out of 150 applications, Dr. Sarah Pospos is here to prove that anything is possible with determination, strategic thinking and hardwork. Keep listening to hear the compelling story of how she landed her psychiatry residency!
Here are the highlights of her journey:
- Indonesian born and raised, she attended the Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya Fakultas Kedoketan Medical school from which she graduated in 2013.
- Pursued a masters in Psychopharmacology and Applied Psychology.
- After a successful application process even as an “Old IMG”, she was selected as a chief resident and currently practices as a psychiatrist for high performers in sports and within the field of perinatal psychiatry.
- She received 21 interviews from institutions including Yale and Duke out of only 150 applications.
- She used a cut-throat strategic and personalized approach to maximize her applications.
- She worked simultaneously at multiple places to get her US clinical experience, instead of engaging in short stints one after the other.
- She participated in 14 publications, 7 of which were authored, and 5 total research opportunities at institutions including UCLA and UCSD.
- She was able to secure 4 LORs from relevant professionals in the field. LORs from within your target field and similar specialties from US doctors are recommended.
Here are Dr. Pospos’ recommendations for future applicants into psychiatry residency:
- Be strategic and objective instead of subjective
- It’s all about how you present yourself
- Personal statements are key
- Don’t be too generic, but stay professional
- Use concrete examples with numbers and statistics as proof.
Her general tips are as follows:
- Don’t neglect self-care on your journey.
- Seek help if you feel depressed or anxious.
- Use proven study and time-management techniques.
- Take it one task at a time!
You can connect with Dr. Pospos on her website lifestyletelepsychiatry.com and her Instagram @lifestyletelepsychiatry.
You can also listen to all full episodes of the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Is applying to various specialties despite your dream of landing a residency in a particular field always the best idea? Radiology resident Dr. Maham Siddique is here today to share her story of determination and not taking no for an answer!
Here are some of the highlights of her journey:
Dr. Maham was born and raised in Pakistan, where she attended the Aga Khan University and discovered her love for Radiology before her graduation in 2016.
While in medical school, she was given the option to pursue clinical rotations in the US. By completing her electives in the US, she was able to see how Radiology was conducted there, and realized the need for research items when applying into residency in this field.
As such, she moved to NYC 4 years ago on a J1 research visa, where she engaged in lung and breast cancer research in Radiology for 3 years.
She then applied to Radiology residency in 2020 after attaining her green card, thereby classifying her as a US IMG.
How was Dr. Maham able to find research opportunities?
- She was deliberate and transparent with her research program coordinators about wanting to get into Radiology residency.
- She was determined, focused on her goals and would not settle for any other field.
- She built connections and strengthened her network through demonstrable seriousness about the field.
- Eventually she was able to land a Radiology residency position at her top ranked institution in NYC.
These are her tips for applying into Radiology residency:
- Ask yourself whether you like the field enough to practice it for the rest of your life.
- Look at the official statistics released by organizations such as the NRMP and ensure that your step scores (above 245 for Radiology), number and quality of LORs, and research items correspond with those of the successful candidates in the years prior.
- Ensure that you analyze the structure of the Radiology residency:
- Take into account that it is advanced, meaning that it starts at the PGY2 level, and the candidate is expected to find their own intern year.
- Dr. Maham herself completed her intern year in Internal Medicine, applied with 3 LORs.
- She then applied into Radiology with 4 Radiology LORs and 1 Internal Medicine LOR.
- Your personal statement is the one document that is 100% in your control - make it count!
How can we maneuver the challenges we face as IMGs?
- Your step score is just one important part of the application. There are other parts that you can work on to compensate for it.
- Commit fully to the dream and put in the necessary work, time and effort investments to achieve it.
- Don’t listen to everybody’s opinion–take the time to form your own ideas.
You can reach out to Dr. Maham via email maham_siddique@hotmail.com and her Instagram @maham_s_rana.
You can also listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & Spotify.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Have you ever wondered what exactly program directors are looking for when reviewing residency applications from IMGs? Do you also one day see yourself as a program director? Dr. Amira Mohamed is here today to share some valuable insight. Keep listening to learn more about her fascinating journey!
After finishing medical school in Khartoum, Sudan where she was born and raised, Dr. Mohamed made the bold decision to start pursuing medical residency in the US. Here’s how she managed to navigate through the process and some of the highlights of her journey:
- Since she didn’t know the pathway, she took a year off and did a lot of her own research.
- During that year, she moved to the US and did a Step One prep course in Washington DC.
- She eventually landed a job as a medical assistant for a gastroenterologist at Howard University hospital, while studying for exams.
- Finally, she scored a 3 year internal medicine residency, then a 2 year critical care fellowship.
- She was an attending physician for a few years, before transitioning into being an associate program director and then a program director.
Right now she works in the Bronx, New York at the Montefiore Medical Center which is a part of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. There, she serves as a critical care medicine fellowship program director.
Dr. Mohamed also works with the residency program of her institution as part of the clinical competency committee and at the adjoint medical school as a teacher.
Therefore, while she primarily works with fellows, she also works with residents and students.
As a program director, here is some of the advice that Dr. Mohamed has for IMGs:
- Letters of recommendation should be written by someone who knows you and can highlight your good qualities. These letters should also be geared towards your intended specialty.
- Speak to people who have been down your intended path and heed their relevant advice to make your journey easier.
- If you can, avoid applying to multiple specialties - if you have to, ensure that you show priority to the specialty you’re most passionate about.
- Apply on time--if you have to be late, send an email explaining the situation.
- Take the time to plan your interview cycle carefully—place the programs that you are most interested in, last. That way you can overcome any early interview jitters with lower stakes.
- Be careful about the questions you ask. Ensure that your questions demonstrate your interest in the field and willingness to commit. Know your audience!
- Have a post-residency plan – what educational, research and other CV building opportunities does your residency have that you can take advantage of?
- Networking is key! Go up to the people you admire and ask them how they did it!
As a program director she loves when candidates show initiative and go the extra mile. Don’t hesitate to reach out to programs to show your interest!
If you have any further questions, you can reach out to Dr. Mohamed via twitter @amiramohamedmd.
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMGRoadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialties in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Oftentimes, people wonder how some are able to maintain a full-time job as well as manage other successful businesses. Do you have to possess some supernatural powers? Though this may seem like a daunting feat, in this interview with business analyst and branding specialist Tami Adeleke (@takeoffwithtami), I discuss some strategies to achieve success in your professional and personal lives simultaneously as an IMG!
There is a seven step approach on the IMG Roadmap six week program, however, since this is not a one-size-fits-all, in order to benefit from the program, students are recommended to seek individualized coaching which is tailor-made to address specific needs. To date, 300 students have benefitted from this IMG Roadmap program.
Here are some of the major roadblocks that IMG’s face:
- The immigration process for non-immigrants in obtaining citizenship in the US
- Academic roadblocks and competing with US graduates
- Language barriers for those with first languages other than English
- Various socioeconomic challenges.
Before visiting the coach, the following should be considered:
- What are my goals, where do I have a deficiency and need the most help with
- How do I maximize my time, what do I need to accomplish during this session
- What solution can be implemented to resolve the problem?
The key to success in maintaining a balance between one's professional and personal life is to:
- Delegate! Delegate! Delegate!
- “Take ownership for what you don’t know and seek help on what you need to know!”
- Schedule and make the best of each waking hour.
- Seek guidance and express gratitude to God.
Here are some of the reasons people may not succeed in their professional lives:
- Personal, social and sometimes financial factors
- The internal fear of success and the unwillingness to take risks
- Failure to realize that the onus is on you to make the investment in your personal development!
Reach out to find out more information on the interviewer @takeoffwithtami!
You can also listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialties in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
As an IMG, matching successfully into the residency position of your dreams is truly a momentous occasion! In this our 100th episode, we celebrate the victories of the students of our latest cohort of the IMG Roadmap Course. Keep listening to find out more about their stories!
Here are the highlights of what some of our students shared:
Dr. Stacy outlined her path as follows:
- the last time she applied for the match, she did not have her step results.
- during her gap year, she worked as a scribe for neurologist at Yale.
- enrolled in the IMG Roadmap course along with the other free courses available on drninalum.com/courses and considers them life changing.
- she matched into Pediatrics at Texas Tech University in El Paso.
Similarly, 12 years post-grad Dr. Ronke had her fair share of challenges. She:
- underwent surgery, which caused her to postpone her taking of the CK exam.
- followed the IMG Roadmap Course from her hospital bed and was inspired to continue pursuing her dream.
- applied to ten programs, four of which promised interviews as soon as she got her CK results.
- wrote customized personal statements for each program.
- completed a Master’s in Public Health and had US clinical experience.
- had one interview in October and matched at an institute in California.
Dr. Obi’s story was shared as follows:
- This is her third application season.
- She started in 2017, moved to the US, where she then took step one CK and CS exams.
- Applied for the 2020 match, where she scored one interview for IM that didn’t go well.
- Tried again in 2021, had no interviews, but then tried to improve application.
- Did not pass step 3 the first time.
- Tried to SOAP using her Master’s in Public Health to bolster her application.
- After not matching in 2021, she stopped being mentally defined by “red flags”. How could she paint her experiences in a positive way?
- Eventually, she matched after embracing her weaknesses and making them her strengths!
Dr. Caroline who matched into Anesthesia at the Mayo Clinic in Florida:
- Was worried because she didn’t know of any IMG’s from her school who had matched into that specialty.
- Decided to register into the IMG Roadmap course.
- Scored interviews from Yale and other prestigious programs through networking, attending conferences and sending emails!
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialties in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Have you ever wondered what exactly program directors are looking for from your residency application? Our guest for this episode Dr. Enaka Yembe, in an interview we conducted some time ago, is here to provide you with all the practical tips you can employ to make your application stand out. Having both been through the application process herself and also having served as a faculty member, she offers a unique perspective to IMG’s like you!
Board certified in the field of family medicine, Cameroonian-born Dr. Enaka Yembe completed a Bachelor (Honors) Degree in Biochemistry in Nigeria and medical school in The University of Milan, Italy. She did an internship in Transitional Medicine in Howard University Hospital in Washington DC and then her Family Medicine Residency training at LSU Conway Hospital in Monroe, Louisiana and was nominated Resident of the Year in 2005.
Here is some of the advice she offers for the residency application and interview process:
- Focus on your strengths and use them to show that you are a capable candidate.
- Try not to come across as if you are asking for help or begging for a position. Be confident!
- Don’t overthink the process, but be very deliberate.
- Know your CV! Be prepared to answer any possible questions.
- Do research on the program you’re interviewing into, in order to anticipate what kinds of questions they may ask.
- If you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to admit it. Offer to get back to the interviewer when you find the correct response.
- Your personal statement should be a brief biography, where mentioning relevant clinical experience in the US is an asset.
- Do not include too many personal stories and anecdotes. The personal statement should be concise.
- Review your personal statement professionally for grammar and spelling errors.
- For your residency, consider rural areas. They can offer you opportunities that may not be available in more urban ones.
Finally, here are some inspirational tidbits to guide you along your journey:
- Do not be discouraged. Anything can be accomplished with persistence.
- Do not give yourself a plan B, focus on your goal and do the work to achieve it.
- Be committed to preparing for the USMLE exam. Make the investment in time and resources. Focus also on test-taking strategies.
You can reach out to Dr. Yembe on her website, facebook and instagram.
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMG Roadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialties in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Today we have a bit of a blast from the past with Dr. Amilyn Worlobah who we interviewed in 2019. Stay tuned to hear all about her fascinating story!
At the time, she was an intern in a family medicine program in Arkansas, all excited about her future.
She attended the Ross University which used to be on the island of Dominica, but is now situated in Barbados after a major hurricane in 2017.
Here are some of the highlights of her journey:
- Dr. Worlobah started medical school in January of 2013,
- completed her clinical rotations in the US,
- took her board exams in her 3rd year and then Step 2 in her fourth year.
She also shares how she prepared for her USMLE exams:
- She took a comp exam, aimed at preparing her for the exam,
- used the online resource Decker for past questions and textbooks,
- used UWorld question banks and Master the Boards texts as well.
- Unfortunately, she failed the exam the first time, but was successful the second time around.
She advises the following about the application process:
- Ensure that you have a winning personal statement as early in the process as possible.
- Use Google and Match A Resident to filter out programs that won’t take IMG’s.
- Capitalize on your CV–ensure that you mention all of your relevant experience.
- Networking is key throughout the process.
Dr. Worlobah also speaks highly of her time as a medical scribe and encourages IMG’s to consider this option instead of being idle during the application process.
Her mantra is as follows:
- Never give up.
- Don’t get in your head or be negative about your experiences.
- Always turn whatever negatives you encounter into learning experiences.
- You can’t spell testimony without “test!”
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMGRoadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialties in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Last week was match week – an anxious yet joyful time. How did IMG’s fare in this match cycle? Keep listening as we look at the numbers!
According to the NRMP:
- There were 39205 total positions available in the match this year which increased by 2.9% when compared to that of 2021.
- The Total number of PGY1 positions was 36277 which was also up by 3.1% compared to 2021.
- 58-60% match rate for IMG’s.
- 465 spots went unfilled for both FM and IM Categorical.
Doctors such as one of my co-authors of the book Beyond Challenges landed a residency position outside of the match cycle, so it is possible!
The statistics continue as follows:
- Surgery preliminary: 518 unfilled spots.
- Surgery categorical: 3 unfilled.
- Psychiatry: 17 unfilled.
- Plastic surgery: 0 unfilled.
- IM categorical: 2435 non-US IMG’s, 1133 USIMGs
- FM: 457 non-US IMG’s, 777 US IMG’s.
- EM: 45 non-US IMG’s, 176 US IMG’s, out of 2921 applicants.
- Dermatology: 1 non-US IMG out of 30 positions, 2 unfilled.
- Anesthesiology: 61 non-US IMG’s, 57 US IMG’s out of 1500 positions.
- Thoracic Surgery: 5 IMG’s out of 47 positions.
- Vascular surgery: 7 IMG’s out 84 positions, 0 unmatched.
- Neurology: 163 non-US IMG, 64 US IMG’s, out of 772 positions.
- OB: 40 to non-US IMG’s, 42 to US IMG’s, 4 unfilled, out of 1503 positions.
- ENT: 4 out of 361 positions went to IMG’s.
- Orthopedic Surgery: 19 out of 873 spots went to IMG’s.
- Pediatrics categorical: 81 unfilled spots, 2943 total categorical spots, 574 went to IMG’s.
- Plastic surgery: 194 total, 11 went to IMG’s, 0 unfilled.
- Pediatric and Child psychiatry both saw no IMG matches.
Want to increase your chances of succeeding in the upcoming match cycle? My IMGRoadmap course is just what you need to give you that boost.
Who is this IMGRoadmap course for?
Self-motivated and ambitious doctors who graduated from International Medical Schools (IMG’s) and are interested in residency in the US.
What exactly am I paying for?
- Access to expertly crafted online modules.
- Group Coaching.
- Office Hours - extra sessions with me. Learn what to do and how to do it.
- Lifetime access to the online platform until you match!
The course starts on April 14th and we are accepting new enrollments right now at drninalum.com/courses!
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMGRoadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialties in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Were you under the impression that preparing for the US Medical Residency application cycle had to take upwards of six months? Are you worried that you won’t have enough time to match? Cameroonian-born Dr. Agyingi Kimbong is here to show you how he was able to match with only two months to prepare his application packet. Keep listening to find out more about his intriguing journey!
Dr. Kimbong earned his medical degree from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon in 2014. He then practiced as a general physician for two years there, before he was inspired by a few colleagues and mentors to pursue residency in the US.
He currently serves as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Here are some of the highlights of his USMLE journey:
- Dr. Kimbong prepared for Step 1 in Cameroon and then wrote it in Accra Ghana.
- He studied independently and did not take any courses such as Kaplan.
- He had a study partner to help hold him accountable.
- He finally scored 240 in Step 1.
How did Dr. Kimbong manage his residency application?
- He had only two months to prepare, as he came to the US shortly after completing his MPH program in Europe.
- Fortunately, he had already taken all of the USMLE steps.
- He then realized that step scores are just one part of the application packet and that networking is essential!
- He strategically reached out to people for help and advice.
When Dr. Kimbong was asked about whether the transition into being a physician with a J1 visa requirement was difficult, he stated the following:
- It was a bit of a hassle but since the process is standardized, it’s not as difficult and daunting as people think.
- Knowing where to look for jobs and where to prioritize your applications is important.
- Working in the US as a physician, regardless of location or institution is advantageous.
- There are tons of opportunities to choose from.
- There can be certain financial and time-oriented benefits.
As such, Dr. Kimbong advises IMGs who may be in a similar position as he was to:
- Get the best scores possible.
- Network like your success depends on it!
- Prepare for your interviews–Four or five interviews is more than enough to match.
You can reach out to Dr. Kimbong on his facebook @Kimbong Agyingi.
You can also listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMGRoadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialites in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Do you already have a career but you are considering switching to medicine? Dr. Paul Osunwa, who transitioned from nursing into an anesthesiology residency is here to prove to you that anything is possible! Keep listening to find out more about his interesting journey!
Born to Nigerian Parents, Dr. Osunwa grew up in California where he served as a nurse for three years before deciding to start medical school.
Here are some of the highlights of his journey, pre-residency. He:
- Attended a specialized program for career transitioning at St. George’s University in Grenada.
- Always knew he wanted to be an anesthesiologist and so, shadowed such doctors even as a nurse.
- Served as the president of the student government.
- Earned the White Coat Award in his last semester in Grenada.
- Applied to 136 programs in Anesthesia.
- Participated in the first cohort of zoom interviews due to Covid.
- Scored seven interviews.
- Matched at his second preference of program.
Here are some of the challenges of applying into anesthesiology:
- Facing the reality of limited anesthesiology spots.
- Scoring above average Step 1 and Step 2 scores.
- Proving that the student is a holistic human being with other skills and traits outside of medicine.
- Securing LOR’s.
- Demonstrating strong interest in the field.
Does Dr. Osunwa regret switching careers from nursing?
- He saw medical school as an investment in himself.
- There was a great deal of knowledge acquisition, where all his questions from nursing were answered
- He is now able to provide better care for patients.
The switch of careers is always worth it, especially when you look at people like Dr. Nina Snowden who took the leap from an established practice in nutrition to starting from scratch on a successful medical career.
You can reach out to Dr. Osunwa via his Instagram @prince_chiso and his email posunwa@sgu.edu.
You can also listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the IMGRoadmap Newsletter so you never miss a beat!
Quick pause: If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialites in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
***Have you faced failure along your medical journey and you’re worried about your future? Dr. Deborah Makinde’s story will definitely prove to you that any roadblock can be overcome, to land yourself the residency position of your dreams. Keep listening to find out more!
Nigerian-born Dr. Makinde moved to the US as a teenager and attended medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada.
After her graduation in 2020, She decided to apply to 150 programs for the 2020/2021 match cycle where she scored 4 interviews, but unfortunately, she went unmatched.
During the 2020/2021 application period, she highlighted the following roadblocks:
- She failed the CS exam, but ended up taking the OET exam thereafter.
- She could not get ECFMG certified until the following year.
Dr. Makinde then decided to take a gap year and reapplied in for the 2022 match cycle, scoring her over 11 interviews and a place on a few waitlists. She has since matched and is now about to be a resident in internal medicine. When asked what she changed about her application the second time around, she highlighted the following steps she took:
- Applied through SOAP.
- Tried to achieve a preliminary position, but did not get through.
- Applied to 250 programs instead of her initial 150 though she does not believe that it made a huge difference.
- Developed an application packet that was better and that had a theme to it.
- Wrote personalized statements customized to the prospective programs.
- Wrote Step 3 and passed.
- Contacted the programs she didn’t get into asking for feedback, which she applied during her second application.
You can reach out to Dr. Makinde via her email (tmakinde1@gmail.com) and her Instagram @toyin_20
You can also listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialites in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Have you ever wondered whether US medical students share the same struggles as IMGs along their medical journeys? While there are quite a few differences between these two pathways, the similarities may surprise you! Keep listening to find out how Nigerian-born Dr. Adannia Enyioha beat the odds at every step of her medical success story!
Dr. Enyioha moved to the US at age 16 to attend college in New York, where she majored in Biology and Economics with a focus on premed. She was able to do so using an F1 international student visa.
Dr. Enyioha completed her residency in Chicago at the Rush University Medical Center, and is now working in Philadelphia within the Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Here are some of the highlights from her medical journey, she:
- Graduated from college in 2008.
- Found that getting into medical school was a great challenge.
- Aligned herself with organizations that help international students e.g. SNMA, who provided her with resources and assistance to help her prepare for MCAT and to go through the medical school application process.
- Applied to approximately 60 US medical schools through the funding and assistance from these organizations.
- Got only 1 interview at a school in Minnesota that she ended up attending.
- Scored a scholarship for her final year of medical school due to the support of the international student office, good grades, and activeness in school life.
- Found it quite easy to get residency interviews anywhere she applied, however, she chose a program that would support H1B visa in Chicago, instead of J1, due to potential difficulties.
When asked how someone can get into medical school in the US, she advised prospective students to:
- Check for the schools where international students are taken.
- Make use of any recently updated, relevant resources available.
- Remember that volunteering is a good way to build your application.
- Engage in interesting activities to serve as conversation starters during interviews.
- Take other people’s stories with a grain of salt. Your story could be different!
You can reach out to Dr. Enyioha via:
Instagram: @ask_dr_ada
Youtube: Adannia Enyioha
Facebook: Ask Dr Ada
And, her website: www.askdocada.com
You can also listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialites in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Everyone has goals. It just takes persistence, discipline and consistency to achieve them. As an IMG you are sure to have challenging tasks that you need to accomplish in order to be successful. How do you plan to do so in 2022? Keep listening to this session held by Dr. Lum with the IMG Roadmap class where she outlines strategies that work and answers all of your burning questions!
What is the general strategy you can employ to identify and complete your tasks?
- Write down three things you want to achieve this year.
- Ensure that they are specific IMG career goals.
- Ask yourself: What is standing between you and your goal?
- Are there any difficulties you have pinpointed?
How can you create a strong Letter of Intent (LOI)?
- Focus on answering this question: Why is it important for you to match there?
- LOIs should be sent in accordance with the rules of the program. Normally, they should be addressed to the program director.
- List the reasons you are interested in ranking the program first.
- Then, let them know what you can do for the program. What makes you stand out?
- Make specific, concrete references to your interviews with the program.
What are some key considerations before creating your rank list?
- Do you truly want to train there and to live there for three to four years?
- Does it fit in with your long term career goals?
- What was the quality of your Interaction with the program on interview day?
- Was there any post interview communication? Use your intuition!
- If your list is shorter, rank the programs you feel instinctively that you have a higher chance of matching into. If you have more options, you can consider your desires.
- Inform the programs that you are ranking that you will be ranking them.
How can you prepare for USMLE?
- You don’t need to stop what you are doing, you should keep your job to build your CV.
- Focus on study and work only.
- Use a Q-bank like USMLE world, and break it down into small pieces.
- Review the notes you have taken in your down time!
- Next time you do the questions, time yourself to improve speed and efficiency.
- Do NBME’s to assess your readiness.Use results to guide future studying
For more coaching like this feel free to sign up on the waitlist for the next cohort of the IMG Roadmap course.
You can also listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
If you are an international medical student or graduate seeking to start residency in any of the 135 specialites in the USA next June, then this is for you! You don't want to regret missing out on this HUGE opportunity!
Join the waitlist to be considered for the next round of the IMG roadmap course. The only course that helps you become a more competitive applicant for residency. Seats are limited. Sign up here to be considered!
Can you complete the entire residency application process without actually being in the US? Though it may sound impossible, Dr. Aditi Agrawal’s story will surely surprise you. Keep listening to find out how she accomplished such a feat!
Dr. Aditi Agrawal was born in India and completed her medical studies there at the Banaras Hindu University. She is currently an incoming PGY 1 resident at the St. Elizabeth medical center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Here are some of the highlights of her USMLE journey, she:
- Took Step 1 in August of 2019, and then started preparing for the other exams.
- Persevered in spite of the cancellation of her US electives due to COVID.
- In the interim, studied for Step 2 CK.
- Engaged in a research project at her university.
- Participated in a paid telerotation in August of 2020.
- Did OET for ERAS certification which she gained just two days before her rank list submission.
- Out of 150 applications, got 3 interviews immediately, and 5 more after networking on social media and sending letters of interest!
In retrospect, Dr. Agrawal recommends that other IMGs:
- Join as many relevant online communities as possible, for example: Clinical Problem Solvers and PsychSIGN.
- Social media is a great equalizer since you do not need to be in the US to make your presence known.
- Documentation of your accomplishments is essential, especially on social media. You never know who may be watching!
- Collaboration, not only research projects but with other projects such as podcasts, and illustrations, helps you to make real, useful connections.
- While applying, be sure to narrow your list down to options where you have a real chance. Check to see if there have been any previous IMG residents.
- Pay attention to new programs and to those who sponsor visas.
When asked for her mantra for success, Dr. Agrawal stated the following:
- She believes that the universe aligns to allow her to be successful.
- She always tries to be kind and smart
- She is driven by the search for a deeper understanding of life and human beings.
You can connect with Dr. Agrawal via:Twitter: @DrAditi_Life
Instagram: @Aditi.life and @Usmleflashcards
Her blog: girlintheboots.com
Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Quick pause, join the 2022 waitlist to be considered for the IMG ROADMAP live group coaching program that starts in Spring 2022. Click here to start now.
As a new year begins, IMGs all over the US continue to excel in their fields, inspiring thousands to do the same. Our guest today, 3rd year Cardiology fellow Dr. Marc Katz is no exception! Keep listening to find out more about his challenging yet rewarding journey.
Dr. Katz attended Ross University and completed rotations in Brooklyn, New York. He completed Internal Medicine (IM) training at the Hahnemann University Hospital.
He is currently a PGY6 in Cardiovascular Diseases, a subspecialty of IM.
Here are some highlights of Dr. Katz’ Cardiology fellowship:
- He chose IM because of its wide range of subspecialty opportunities when compared to family medicine, for instance.
- He completed 4 years of medical school, 3 years of IM training, and 3 years of General Cardiology fellowship.
- While he is qualified as a general cardiologist, he appreciates the fact that he can still specialize in more specific fields such as cardiac oncology, and electrophysiology.
Dr. Katz’ background also helped shape his medical success story:
- He attended SUNY Bingham for his undergraduate degree, as a first generation American born to South African immigrant parents.
- Initially, he didn’t know that he wanted to go into medicine, and so he earned a GPA of 3.4 and a just below average MCAT score.
- After medical school, he felt like he was fighting an uphill battle to match into residency as an IMG.
- While he found that Ivy League schools mainly only take people from “prestigious” schools, He advises IMGs not to be discouraged.
- However, he also advises people considering becoming IMGs to be aware of the potential challenges they may face.
Here are Dr. Katz’ thoughts on the future of IMGs:
- Step 1 going pass/fail is estimated to be another hurdle since program directors will likely find another metric by which to filter out applicants. So, it is important to build a strong application otherwise.
- Every year, while there are enough US grads to take up all of the available residency spots, they continue to take IMGs. Be encouraged by that fact!
- IMGs often fill underserved specialties and are invaluable in the US medical system. IMGs are here to stay!
You can reach out to Dr. Katz on:
Instagram: @kittykatzmd
Tik Tok: @kittykatzmd
Youtube: @kittykatzmd
Twitter: @kittykatzmd
And his website: mykittykatz.com
And you can also follow his cat, Pepperoni @pepperoni.the.kat!
Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Interview Season is still in full swing. Are you anxious about your virtual interview? Are you interested to hear some common questions that you may be asked and to know the best way to respond to them?
This episode, originally recorded as an Instagram live session, not only gives you the blueprint for a successful residency interview, but also includes some rapid fire mock interview sessions with feedback, featuring IMGs from all over the world. Keep listening to find out more!
Here are a few tips on how to make the most out of your interview:
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Before you go to your interview:
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Consider your audience. Who are they, and what are they expecting of you?
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If the schedule of the interview day is given, be sure to take the time to memorize it and garner any information which may be beneficial in your preparation for that specific interview.
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Do lots of research on the people who will be interviewing you, as this may afford you an informational advantage.
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Look up the program online and get an overview of what the program entails.
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Speak to previous residents who went through the program if you can.
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During your interview:
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Focus on what you are saying - your words matter more than body language during a virtual interview.
- Being a good listener is an important skill - you need to properly understand the question in order to answer it accurately.
- Always find the opportunity to assert your purpose for interviewing - how will you be a good fit for the program?
- Storytelling is an invaluable tool to get your point across effectively. A good story has a strong character, an obstacle and an outcome.
- Integrity is key when describing both successes and failures. If you need to expound on your failures, be honest as to what caused you to fail and the lessons you’ve learnt as a result.
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When you’re asked about yourself:
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Keep your response less than 90 seconds long.
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Ensure that you are speaking in complete sentences and getting your point across.
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Avoid rambling and always connect your story back to your being a good fit for the program.
- Letters of interest should be sent prior to residency interview season but they can also be sent at any time throughout the process.
Here is some general feedback based on the rapid fire mock interview sessions with IMGs intending to match into various specialties:
- Ensure that your personal introduction is an attention-grabber in order to make yourself stand out.
- Focus on the elements of the specific program into which you are interviewing. Use your prior knowledge of the program and the program director or coordinator to demonstrate how this program aligns with your goals.
- Origin stories can show resilience - use your past experiences to emphasize why you are choosing to attend this residency interview.
- When speaking about gap years, be sure to mention the fact the gap was unavoidable and show how you remained within the clinical space despite not being in school.
- Ensure that you do not sound rehearsed. Let your responses flow organically for best results!
Listen to the full episodes via Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Are you nervous for your residency interview? Do you have questions as to how to make that interview count? Keep listening to this live Q&A session on interview prep for IMG's to get all of the answers you need!
How do I prepare for behavioral questions?
Interviewers just use these questions to find out more about how you think.
Pause, think and answer to the best of your ability. Use scientific evidence where you can.
What is the best time to send letters of interest?
There is no best time - you should send them as soon as your interest emerges. "Now" is the best time!
What are some questions that I can ask an interviewer?
Ask a question that proves that you are receptive to instruction and learning during the residency process.
A good example is: what do you think makes a successful resident?
Another is: what are some milestones that you expect interns to have achieved by the first half of the year?
Use these as an opportunity to promote yourself as a good fit for the program.
How do I stand out from other applicants via zoom?
Interact, smile, converse with the interviewers.
However, the most important part is to stand out in your individual interview.
What is the best way to show interest in a program?
Go through the program’s website and learn as much as you can to draw parallels between your strengths as a candidate and the program’s requirements.
Validate your interest with evidence you found by doing your homework.
How do I justify wanting to do residency in one state while living in another?
State valid reasons based on research done on the program.
Don't focus too hard on the fact that you aren't a local.
Leverage your strengths to show that you would be a good candidate for the program.
How do connections help during the interview season?
These are only helpful if the people put in a good word for you thereby improving your chances of matching.
People trust their contacts and their opinions, so it doesn't hurt to ask people to recommend you!
How do I answer the question: tell me about yourself?
Use the past, present and the future.
State what you have done before, are doing currently and will do in the future as relates to your medical career and the program you're interviewing into.
Be as forthcoming as possible, while emphasizing why you accepted the invitation to interview.
How can I stand out as a re-applicant?
- Ask for feedback from the previous interview.
- Ask your mentors to put in a good word.
- Engage in introspection to identify your weaknesses during your previous interview.
Overall, confidence is key. Talk, smile, laugh, interact and you will be fine!
Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Medical research focuses on coming up with solutions to help clinicians heal the population. Therefore, research is an essential aspect of the medical field for doctors and other medical professionals alike.
This episode features a live conversation between Dr. Lum and Dr. Wafa Qulikhan who has come to follow up after her IMGRoadmap Interview and drop some gems on how to find research opportunities as an IMG. Keep listening to find out more about her techniques!
First, it is important to understand that medicine and research, while closely related, are separate entities. Within research, you have many options that may align with your interests, personality, strengths and weaknesses.
Here are a few practical tips on how to go about landing the right research opportunities based on Dr. Qulikhan’s own experience:
- Print out your CV and make as many copies as possible.
- Hand out these documents to as many doctors with their own practice as possible.
- Networking is key! Put yourself out there and speak to people who will get you in the door - Dr. Qulikhan started as an observer who presented herself as someone who was willing to help the doctors who would take her under their wing.
- If you are applying to higher-ranked universities, while it’s fine to aim high, it’s also beneficial to establish yourself within your community and work your way up.
- If you are not a US citizen, always ensure that your Visa affairs are in order!
- Try to get a subscription to Pubmed and other official journals to see the layout of research submissions.
- Be focused, but do not be too narrow-sighted when considering research opportunities. Research in fields different from your intended field is also great!
Here are some of the pathways you can take:
- Online searches - you can either reach out to programs yourself and volunteer your time or respond to advertisements of vacancies.
- Go through a university based program which has a defined research component.
- Paid opportunities such as certain observerships.
- Speaking to alumni - word of mouth is powerful! Listen to your mentors and those who have been there before you.
- Research outside of the US - You can use your research from your own medical school, or work with your attending and preceptors there.
Different specialties have different requirements and some are more research-based than others.
Overall, do not lose your sense of self and authenticity - start small and show interest and initiative. All relevant research is beneficial. It's important to be optimistic, diligent and to put yourself out there to gain the research opportunities you need!
Listen to the full episode via Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Though this year’s ERAS season may be over, it is never too early to start preparing for next year. This episode features a live session which was geared at helping IMGs to fill out their ERAS application in a way that ensures success. Keep listening to find out more!
Here are some invaluable tips and tricks to make your application count:
- AMC account information:
State your basic information including your address regardless of whether it is within or outside of the US. Do not be fraudulent!
- Are you allowed to work in the US?
Pick the most applicable category which corresponds to your specific situation, otherwise, you can choose “other” which is fine!
- NRMP match information:
Fill in as applicable with NRMP ID. It’s fine if you don’t yet have that information. You can add it later on.
American Urological Association (AUA) number, if applicable, should also be included here.
If you are a couple’s match, this is the place to include this.
- Additional information :
ECFMG certification should be added here.
Other certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), while good to have on the application, come second place to your USMLE step scores.
- Military information:
Describe your military obligations if applicable. In the US, military service is regarded highly and honorably!
- Higher education:
Include programs which resulted in you obtaining a degree. This is not the place for other types of certification.
Put expiration dates for certifications where applicable.
- Research opportunities and any other certifications/ training that do not fall under any other categories can come under work experience.
- Was your medical training extended or interrupted?
Be precise, honest, express reasons concisely.
- Membership, professional societies, medical school awards, other awards and accomplishments:
List all relevant awards and achievements. Write as succinctly as possible.
- Training experience:
List any prior American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and other residencies and fellowships.
You can list these certifications regardless of if you finished the program or not.
- Clinical and Teaching experience should be treated as work experience:
In the description do the following:
-
Use action words and descriptive terms.
-
In a single sentence, state: time spent, role, actions taken and lessons learnt.
-
Include reasons for leaving.
-
Add Numbers -- it’s quantifiable and adds credibility.
-
Are you board certified in another state or country?
Include organization’s name, address and relevant details. Board certification in any country matters!
For a more in depth guide on how to fill your ERAS form successfully, sign up for the IMGRoadmap Course where in Modules 6 & 7 this topic is examined in detail!
Listen to this full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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In the age of the virtual residency application process, it may seem like your networking options are limited as an IMG, but Dr. Nina Snowden is back to remind you that the world is your oyster.
Keep listening to find out how you can take a page from her book as you write your own medical success story!
How do you get started with networking toward your residency application?
Dr. Snowden used platforms such as Match a Resident and Residency Explorer to get an early start, learn more about her programs of interest and narrow down her options before beginning to apply and network.
What should your emails to program directors contain?
- Ensure that your email address contains your first and last name. A good idea is to create a separate email just for this purpose.
- State your purpose clearly and succinctly.
- Be specific and intentional.
- Ask direct questions.
How important are research and publications when applying and networking as an IMG?
While research is generally important, it is not always a critical determining factor as to whether a physician will get accepted into a residency program.
If you have the research opportunities, make the best of them. If you don’t, it’s not the end of the world!
What are the best ways for IMGs to boost applications despite failures and gaps?
- Clinical experience is always a sure way to make you a more palatable applicant.
- Networking is the name of the game! You should pitch yourself as though you are a business in order to complete the “transaction” of landing your dream residency.
Is attending Student National Medical Association (SNMA) conferences beneficial?
Dr. Snowden attended the SNMA conference and ended up meeting her future program director there! She was able to introduce herself and network, thereby improving her chances of matching within that program.
Do elective rotations after application opening date count?
It’s good to have these elective rotations for your graduation requirements, however, the people reviewing your applications will probably not get a chance to see them within this timeframe.
What are some practical ways to network during rotating at a hospital?
Just show up and demonstrate your winning personality and killer work ethic. Excellence during rotations gives you good leverage when networking with program directors.
Want to hear more about Dr. Snowden’s story? You can find her full podcast episode here!
Listen to this full episode onApple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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You’ve done it! You’ve landed an interview with your program of interest! They've seen your application and they like you on paper. They want to gauge how compatible you are with the program. How can you make this interview count?
Keep listening to this Residency Interview Q&A session to get some tried and true advice!
How do you prepare questions to ask the faculty?
Google it! Do not ask questions that can be answered easily online. To show that you’ve done your homework, instead, ask about:
- The academic success of previous doctors within the program, to show that you are thinking ahead.
- The percentage of successful applicants into your intended specialty/subspecialty.
- Outcomes and board exam pass rates.
- Questions related to the conversation you’re having with the faculty member.
Don’t ask about socially controversial topics.
How to stand out as a Non-US IMG when trying to match into surgery?
- Be charismatic.
- Show an edge - surgical specialties tend to favor a more edgy, outgoing personality over the more somber personalities favored in other specialties.
How do I emphasize my training in a resource-limited charity hospital without coming across as offensive?
- This is an advantage! Underserved areas tend to hire a lot of IMGs.
- Use a captivating, true story to relay your message and show your experience.
What are some good resources to help you prepare for your interview?
- Google model answers and responses, but these will vary from source to source.
- Think ahead of answers to personal questions. You know yourself best!
How do you answer the question, “Tell me about yourself?”
Focus on:
- Summarizing the biggest life lessons that you’ve learnt,
- Describing yourself as an ideal candidate,
- What makes you resilient,
- What makes you easy to work with,
- What makes you likeable, different, yet special.
How do you address weaknesses?
- Look for aspects of your life that were once a challenge but that you have now overcome.
- How have these made you a stronger and better individual?
What steps should you take if your B2 visa renewal is denied?
A good idea is to leave your applications in and use any invitations to interview as leverage to help the US Embassy to reconsider their decision.
What are some of the don’ts in the interview?
- Improper Attire.
- Lack of professionalism.
- Negative talk about other programs or people as this reflects badly on you, and doesn’t make you seem trustworthy.
Feel free to browse through drninalum.com and follow @drninalum and @IMGRoadmap for assistance on how to write your own medical success story!
Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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Let’s talk about the Supplemental ERAS Application!
The Supplemental ERAS Application is only applicable to Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Surgery.
While it is optional, it is advisable that IMGs take advantage of this opportunity to give their chances of matching a boost.
Even if you’re applying for a specialty that is not applicable, there are certain elements from the Supplemental ERAS application that you may want to incorporate into your regular ERAS application.
The Supplemental ERAS Application is separate from and will be available before the regular ERAS Application. Therefore, you should avoid calling the reader cross-referencing the two of them.
Using the Supplemental ERAS Application can also be beneficial in that you may be able to complete your holistic application at an earlier date, thereby improving your chances of matching.
In fact, the Supplemental ERAS Application forms an integral part of the Holistic Application Process, so it is important to not only list your qualifications, but to outline your stories and experiences.
You should outline stories and experiences that are important to you and not only what you think the application reviewers want to hear.
Even if you may think that your volunteer work or research opportunities were not within the most prestigious of circumstances, you can still list these if they are important to you and your goals as a future resident. Give the application reviewers a reason to believe that you are passionate about your goal specialty!
Tips on speaking about relevant experience:
- Use details
- Speak factually
- Use metrics
- Add an effective job description
- Describe why it was meaningful and lessons you learnt.
Geographic preferences, while not mandatory, can be hidden if these preferences are flexible. This way, you don’t run the risk of being rejected by programs which do not necessarily fit within your desired geographical area.
Similarly, urban vs rural preferences and research vs surgery preferences can be selected and hidden upon request.
However, If you have a true preference, especially with valid reasoning behind it, it’s a good idea to expound on this within your application.
Overall, the supplemental ERAS Application can be an invaluable tool to increase your chances of matching by affording you the opportunity to submit a more holistic application.
Eager to learn more? Click here to be redirected to drninalum.com for more resources including an ERAS Calculator link and the detailed document about the Supplemental ERAS Application.
Also, feel free to follow @drninalum and @imgroadmap for more free advice on how to make your Supplemental ERAS Application count!
Listen to the full episode via Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts!
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Have you always dreamed about specializing in pediatrics but you are not sure what steps to take to achieve this goal? Dr. Devanshi Shah joins us today to share her medical success story from medical school to serving as a PGY1 pediatrics resident at Maimonides Medical Center, New York. Keep listening to find out how she did it!
Indian-born Dr. Shah completed medical school in Mumbai in June of 2020, after which she immediately started working towards her aspiration of completing residency in pediatrics in the United States.
Here are a few highlights of Dr. Shah’s Medical Background:
- She completed medical school at one of the largest tertiary care educational centers in India.
- Started preparation for USMLE during the 3rd year of her 5.5 year MBBS program.
- Applied for electives during her 4th year while completing application for USMLE exams including step 2 CS.
- Wrote her final MBBS exam in 2019 and completed US clinical rotations in hematology, and pediatric endocrinology for which she had applied a year in advance.
- Through these rotations, she gained a valuable introduction to American healthcare systems and EMRs.
- Took Step 2 CS in Houston before returning to Mumbai for her last year of mandatory internship.
Though internship was especially difficult because of the many sleepless nights required to study and work at the same time, Dr. Shah was still able to score 241 in both her Step 1 and Step 2 CK!
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though Dr. Shah faced various challenges in the residency application process such as the novelty of virtual interviews. She was still thankful to be able to participate in the match.
She landed quite a few interviews and eventually matched into her first choice of program at Maimonides Medical Center!
Dr. Shah postulates that letters of interest and intent can positively affect an applicant’s chances of matching, as was proven through her own experience. She defines these letters as follows:
Letter of Interest:This is a succinct, clearly-written letter that is directed to prospective programs hoping for an interview. It discusses you as a candidate, your scores, what you're doing clinically, your experience, and your knowledge of the program.
Letter of Intent:This is a letter written to the program you are planning to rank number 1 - do not send it to more than one program. It should state why you are ranking the program first and how you can be an asset to them.
What are some key pieces of advice that IMGs interested in pediatrics should consider?
- Do not apply as a backup, or failsafe - commit fully because you have a lifelong passion for dealing with children and their parents,
- Gain as much experience with kids even outside of the medical capacity.
- Understand the important distinctions between pediatrics and other specialties such as internal medicine.
- Work on your intra and interpersonal skills.
- Strive to have at least one American LOR within pediatrics and as much US clinical experience as possible.
- Work hard and do your best!
You can reach out to Dr. Shah via her Instagram @thepediatricsgirl.
Listen to the full episode via Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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This episode puts the spotlight on some of our IMG guests who serve in a surgeon capacity at their respective hospitals, namely Dr. Stanley Ogu, Dr. Amara Okoye, Dr. Ash Soni and Dr. Brett Johnson.
Dr. Stanley Ogu
DR. STANLEY OGU is a Nigerian born, international medical graduate turned board certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Stanley Ogu is a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon with Lexington Plastic Surgeons in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a candidate member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Ogu is well liked by his patients for his warm and caring personality, as well as his attention to detail. He is committed to helping patients achieve their unique desired results and become the best version of themselves, through both surgical and non-surgical techniques.
Listen to Dr. Ogu’s full episode here!
Dr. Amara Okoye
Do you ever feel like becoming a surgeon is impossible just because you went to a Caribbean medical school? Or maybe that your need for visa sponsorship for residency makes it unheard of? If you have any desire to become a surgeon, then listen on.
Dr. Okoye is à Canadian- American who graduated from Ross University. She categorizes herself as a student who struggled through undergraduate education. Yet, she vowed that she wasn’t going to allow herself to struggle through medical school. So what did she do?
Listen to Dr. Okoye’s full episodehere!
Dr. Ash Soni
Dr. Soni attended Imperial Medical School in London. While in school he began electives in the US to get a feel for whether he would pursue residency in the US. He started with a match into a research fellowship at Cornell leading to a match into general surgery at Johns Hopkins.
His time in the US was rounded out with a match in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Seattle at University of Washington, followed by a year long fellowship back in the UK. After all his training, Dr. Soni started his own private clinic, The Soni Clinic.
Along with his story of determination and growth, Dr. Soni gives us a few pieces of advice to carry along our own journeys.
Listen to Dr. Soni’s full episode here!
Dr. Brett Johnson
Can an IMG have a competitive enough application to land a surgery-based residency? The short answer is yes - but not without hard work and determination!
Coming to share his story of persistence, grit and consistent effort, Guyanese-born PGY2 general surgery resident Dr. Brett Johnson joins us on this episode hoping to inspire IMGs all over the world.
Dr. Johnson's path to residency was not without obstacles. He faced several challenges including adjusting to the American system when it came to USMLE exams.
Listen to Dr. Johnson’s full episode here!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
This episode is based on a webinar which was held to help intentional, hard-working, self-starting IMGs to write personal statements that yield results.
Keep listening to find out how to use your personal statement to make your ERAS application stand out!
Here are a few of the most important tips worth using when drafting your personal statement:
- Identify and understand your audience.
- Look out for personal statement red flags.
- Master the art of proper structure and storytelling.
- Learn how to evoke emotion from the reader.
- Be confident and clear in your writing
What is the importance of understanding your audience?
- It’s all about tailoring your personal statement to suit your specific audience to achieve your desired outcome.
- In order of importance, you should consider the program director, faculty, program coordinator and residents as your audience.
- According to an NRMP program directors survey, 78% of program directors rank personal statements as 3.5/5 in importance when it comes to what influences their choice of candidates to invite for an interview.
- The personal statement provides a 360 degree view of the applicant.
- Personal statement important points vary from specialty to specialty.
Therefore, as an IMG, you should consider:
- Do your words attract or repel?
- Are you properly highlighting your personal attributes, character traits, specialty specific strengths adequately?
- Are you stressing what particular value your accrued skills and experience would add to the program?
- How do your career and personal goals coincide with those of the program?
What role does story-telling play in writing an excellent personal statement?
- Storytelling grabs the attention of the reader by evoking an emotional response.
- Increases neural activity of the reader by a factor of five!
- Can potentially trigger a release of oxytocin to encourage bonding between reader and storyteller.
As such, a good story must be:
- Relatable to the intended audience.
- Novel in terms of subject matter.
- Fluently and coherently written.
- Rich in the right kind of tension to keep the readers interested.
It must also encompass:
- A strong character.
- A compelling obstacle.
- A resolution of how the character overcame that obstacle.
Red flags to avoid:
- Poor grammar, errors in syntax, and typos.
- Plagiarism.
- Taboo subjects such as politics, extreme opinions.
- Vague stories.
- Listing out your CV
- Improperly addressing potential areas of concern such as gap years and transferring schools.
Finally, the three step process to write an outstanding personal statement is as follows:
- Focus on structure.
- Curate content carefully.
- Understand the importance of context.
To learn more about personal statement writing, you can sign up for the IMGRoadmap Course, or access free resources on drninalum.com.
You can also listen to the full episode on Apple, Google Podcasts & Spotify.
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How can you as an IMG overcome your inevitable challenges and land residency in a specialty as competitive as internal medicine? Pakistani-born Dr. Fareeha Nasir approached the residency application process with determination and confidence, which ultimately led to her gaining success. Keep listening to find out her advice to help you do the same!
Dr. Nasir graduated from the Islamabad medical and dental college, Islamabad, Pakistan in 2019. She recently joined her medical residency in New York as of July 1st 2021.
When asked about the challenges she had to overcome along her US medical residency journey, Dr. Nasir highlighted the following:
- She did not have much guidance.
- She achieved average scores at the USMLE exams.
- She experienced a communication barrier and a need to adjust to the US medical education system.
- Since she required a visa, she encountered difficulties with regard to program requirements and limitations.
As such, Dr. Nasir advises IMGs who share similar challenges to:
- Just get into the system, regardless of how you have to do it. Getting one foot in is an integral step.
- Keep an open mind – It is not necessary to only match into university-based programs. Community programs can also produce internationally successful residents!
- Be humble and do not let your ego dictate your choices.
- Work hard and be consistent.
- Make your own name and create your own medical success story.
With regard to residency applications in particular, Dr. Nasir gives the following advice:
- Keep your application as short as possible.
- Ensure that your application is interesting and grabs the attention of program coordinators at first glance.
- Speak about common EMRs, locations, and other relevant information with your target program to set yourself apart.
- Consult with others who are experienced in the field.
- Take the hobby section seriously – briefly highlight unique hobbies to create conversation points and show positive aspects of your personality.
- Garner as much US clinical experience as possible to bolster your application.
As such, throughout her application story, Dr. Nasir:
- Applied to 150 programs in Internal Medicine.
- Called and emailed programs asking for requirements.
- Applied to some programs where she did not meet the cut off score.
- Scored 4 interviews.
- Stressed the importance of location since her family lived in Philadelphia.
- Sent letters of intent and got interviews out of it.
- Was mindful of the boundaries of the programs she applied to.
Dr. Nasir did all this under her mantra for success which reads:
“Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Mark 9:23
She is eager to help other IMGs along their own journeys. You can reach out to her via:
- Email: fareehanasir@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @fareehanasir12
Listen to the full episode using:
Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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Are you curious as to how you can combine your Family Medicine residency with your other passions? Family Medicine attending Dr. Esther Nkem Ufot who also specializes in Obesity and Lifestyle Medicine is here to show you that it is possible!
Currently serving in Atlanta, Dr. Ufot attended medical school at the University of Benin, Nigeria, where she graduated in 2011, before migrating to the US that same year.
Dr. Ufot was always passionate about preventative medicine. As such, she elected to focus on Obesity Medicine. She also stated the following as some of the possible Family Medicine pathways and opportunities:
- Obstetrics
- Geriatrics
- Obesity medicine
Dr. Ufot also discussed the following challenges that she experienced when transitioning to working in the US:
- She did not have the proper paperwork from Nigeria needed for the ECFMG process.
- She lacked guidance.
- Because the initial part of her process took quite a while, she decided to do all of her USMLE steps within one year.
- She worked in addition to preparing for the USMLE.
When asked how she was able to achieve success, Dr. Ufot stressed the importance of networking and mentorship. Here are a few of the highlights of her story which exemplified this:
- Dr. Ufot, through networking, got a job in a medical capacity that cemented her interest in family medicine.
- Her employer motivated and supported her throughout her USMLE journey by granting her time off and bonuses.
- This doctor also helped her to score observerships with his colleagues which led to her gaining valuable letters of recommendation and clinical experience.
As such, here are a few of the highlights of Dr. Ufot’s match story:
- Passed Step 1 with a score of 216
- Achieved a Step 2 score of 239
- Passed CS
- Passed Step 3 with a score of 229
- Applied in 2014 and matched in 2015
- Became pregnant during the interview process
- Applied to 140 programs, landing 5 interviews
- Looked at criteria carefully to select programs
- Personalized and made each personal statement specific to each goal program
- Took care to stand out during the interview process and asked intelligent questions to mutually vet target programs.
With her journey in mind, Dr. Ufot states the following inspirational key points to share with IMGs:
- Stay focused at every step.
- Make everyday count.
- Everybody’s path is different - own your story and put in the hard work.
- Don’t give up - constant improvement is all that matters.
- Consistency, commitment and passion are key.
- Healthy living should always be one’s priority!
You can reach out to Dr. Ufot to find out more about her extraordinary journey via her Instagram @drnkemufot.
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Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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Calling in from Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. Chase DiMarco joins us today to talk about his new platform called FindARotation.
As an IMG himself, Dr. DiMarco experienced the struggle that many students face when trying to find clinical rotations in the United States. He knows first hand the hassle of contacting physicians personally, reaching out to program coordinators and even going through rotation agencies to no avail.
With these challenges in mind, it is Dr. DiMarco’s goal to provide a viable, efficient and overall better alternative to help students find clinical rotations in the US.
Thus, in 2019, FindARotation was born. In that year, Dr. DiMarco had found himself guiding other students through the harrowing process of finding rotations and thought that they would all benefit from something more automated and effective.
The platform is currently in development, where Dr. DiMarco is working tirelessly along with software engineers to ensure that the platform meets his personal standards and those of the physicians that it is to serve in the future.
The platform’s official release date is estimated to be in July of 2021 and even in its Beta stages has approximately 60 physicians and 160 students ready to participate!
Dr. DiMarco hopes to emulate the infamous AirBnB platform, in that the key points of FindARotation will be as follows:
- Transparency - details will be given in advance and pricing informed every step of the way.
- Efficiency - there will be autonomy for students and preceptors with no expensive middleman.
- Security - participants' details will be secured from start to finish.
- Automation - the process will be digital and modern with no strenuous effort required of the user.
- Simplicity - FindARotation will carry a sleek and user-friendly design.
What specialties can IMGs expect to see on FindARotation?
Dr. DiMarco remarked that every type of specialty has shown interest thus far.
There are particularly many family and internal medicine opportunities due to the constant need for primary care providers.
There are also telemedicine and lesser known specialties such as preventative and sports medicine.
Dr. DiMarco outlines the following as the goal of FindARotation:
- Maximum expansion into fields such as clinical research.
- To include a housing feature for users of the platform.
- To provide a wide range of online courses to serve as orientation
- To try to make the platform as comprehensive as possible.
You can reach out to Dr. DiMarco to learn more about how you can be a part of the future of medical education via:
- Findarotation.com
- Instagram: @FindARotation
- Twitter: @FindARotation
- Facebook: @FindARotation
Listen to the full episode using:
Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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Making the decision to pursue residency in the United States can indeed seem daunting and challenging, especially if you are not used to the US medical and educational system. Though it is true that it takes quite a bit of adjusting, IMGs like Dr. Isabelle Mulango are here to tell you that it is possible!
Dr. Mulango was born in Cameroon and completed her medical degree at the University of Buea, Cameroon, in 2014. She worked for a few years in Cameroon before deciding to apply for residency in the US with the goal specialty of Internal Medicine, which she achieved in 2020.
When asked to share her match story, Dr. Mulango outlined the following challenges she faced and how she overcame them:
- Her application timeline was not clear - it's important to do your research and have a clear timeline from the get-go. Exam scheduling is important since any delays in the receipt of your results can affect your entire application process.
- She did not dedicate enough time to preparing for the exams - when preparing for USMLE exams, more than a pass is required of you. The higher your grades are, the higher your chances are of being regarded as a favorable applicant. At the same time, you should not let your scores define you, since your application comprises several other parts.
- At first, she did not have a defined strategy - To remedy this, Dr. Mulango made use of tools such as the IMGRoadmap course for guidance on her journey. Thus, she was able to plan more appropriately and tailor her application package adequately.
Throughout the entire process from medical school to landing residency, Dr. Mulango has maintained a positive outlook and attitude. To inspire IMGs to do the same, she dropped the following gems of advice:
- Problems are meant to be solved, the world is not against you.
- Be humble! Do not be afraid to seek out help and support. A strong support system is essential.
- When applying for residency, be flexible regardless of your passion. The main goal is to take care of human life in whichever way possible.
- Medicine is like an apprenticeship - you are always learning. Listen to the senior people in your field and take their advice.
You can reach out to Dr. Mulango to learn more about her story or seek advice via Instagram @drsunshinelabelle and through her email: mulangoi04@gmail.com.
You can also find out more information about the revolutionary IMGRoadmap course here, or visit drninalum.com for a variety of free resources. Take charge and create your own medical success story today!
Listen to the full episode here:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/76-imgroadmap-series-84-dr-isabelle-mulango-internal/id1490731292?i=1000528445970
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7JqdLP8U1ixb7nxZokkOPq
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/MDM0ZDJmNTQtMGI0OS00Y2YxLTkxZTQtZTA0M2E2ZmUyNDRl?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwiYjOu9w4vyAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQYg
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Can an IMG have a competitive enough application to land a surgery-based residency? The short answer is yes - but not without hard work and determination! Coming to share his story of persistence, grit and consistent effort, PGY2 general surgery resident Dr. Brett Johnson joins us on this episode hoping to inspire IMGs all over the world.
These are some of the highlights of Dr. Johnson's journey prior to moving to the US:
- Guyanese-born Dr. Johnson graduated from the University of Guyana School of Medicine in 2012.
- Completed 3 months of internship in Guyana.
- Migrated to Trinidad to complete a 12 month internship.
- Completed rotations in surgery, pediatrics, OBGYN and internal medicine, where he realized his passion for surgery.
- He served as a house officer where he worked in neuro, plastic, general, orthopedic and thoracic surgery.
During his time as a house officer in Trinidad, Dr. Johnson decided to move to the United States and apply into Orthopedic Surgery residency programs. Unfortunately, he did not land a position in that field, but decided to take that perceived failure as an opportunity for introspection and sought to reapply the following year with an improved application package for a preliminary residency position.
Dr. Johnson's path to residency was not without obstacles. He faced several challenges including adjusting to the American system when it came to USMLE exams, EMRs, timing and the entire residency application process. Therefore, he advises IMGs from similar backgrounds to:
- Consider the preliminary position - it's a good way to get your foot in the door and improves your chances of landing a categorical position. When Dr. Johnson applied, he checked both boxes for the preliminary and categorical positions.
- Diversify your applications and apply to as many programs as possible.
- Network to the best of your ability! It's helpful to spend some time in the US prior to applying to gain US clinical experience and to meet program directors and gain letters of recommendation.
- Complete research fellowships and other such opportunities to make yourself a more competitive applicant.
- Try to avoid gaps between medical school graduation and applying into residency, since "younger" applicants can sometimes have an advantage.
- If you land a preliminary position, you should try your best to stand out.
Here are Dr. Johnson's success mantras:
- Throughout his journey, he always envisioned his life in a certain way, and has always been willing to sacrifice in order to achieve his goals.
- He sees greatness not as an absence of failure, but as a mark of determination and persistence.
You can reach out to Dr. Johnson via his Instagram: @iamdrjohnson.
Listen to the full episode via:Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts
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Can IMGs without any connections or clinical experience in the United States still land the residency position of their dreams? Dr. Sherley Chhibber joins us today to show how she achieved the impossible and cemented her opportunity as an incoming PGY-1 in Internal Medicine at the Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Dr. Chhibber, while completing the final years of her medical education at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College in Jaipur India, made the decision to start preparing for the USMLE exams with the goal of applying for residency in the US. Though the first time she applied she was not successful, Dr. Chhibber only used this perceived setback to motivate her to improve her application and apply again. The second time she applied, she got through to one of her top programs!
Here are some of the highlights of Dr. Chhibber’s interview where she dropped countless inspirational gems coming from her unique perspective:
- The timeline of her residency application into the 2020 match cycle with regard to how she prepared for the USMLE exams.
- Why her first application was not successful - pinpointing the weak points and areas for improvement.
- How Dr. Chhibber sought to improve her application through the maximization of free resources such as social media and YouTube.
- The impact of the IMGRoadmap podcast on her journey.
- Creating connections and networking through social media.
- Customizing her personal statement based on every goal program’s requirements when applying.
- The importance of perfecting one’s CV and how it contributed to her successful match the second time around.
- The challenge of preparing for USMLE during her mandatory internship year in India and achieving average scores.
- Why exam strategy is important - understanding the format of the exam is almost as important as the knowledge required to pass it .
- Advice to Indian IMGs on how to time their USMLE exams and entire application process.
- Dr. Chhibber’s challenges as a visa applicant and how she overcame them.
And after having shared her interesting success story, Dr. Chhibber leaves the following inspirational tidbits:
- Make the most of the virtual interview - you are in your comfort-zone, so use this to your advantage. Put all of your energy into it and make it count!
- Always make use of all of your resources, especially those which are free.
- Believe in yourself - if she could do it with no US connections so can you!
You can reach out to Dr. Chhibber through her Instagram @drchibs and you can read more about her journey on her blog.
Listen to the full episode:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/74-imgroadmap-series-82-dr-sherley-chhibber-internal/id1490731292?i=1000526939466Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wdhp2qUdH7tgNwuSlTxUI
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/ZTQwMWMxMzktMWE5MC00MjgwLWJjZGMtMmEyYmIzMTcyNmUy?sa=X&ved=0CA0QkfYCahcKEwiYjOu9w4vyAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Have you been convinced that anesthesiology is too competitive for IMGs to get into? Incoming anesthesiology resident Dr. Cynthia Tan joins us on this episode to share her amazing story of overcoming self-doubt and pursuing her dreams, despite the many challenges she faced. Keep listening to find out how you can do the same!
Malaysian-born Dr. Tan, who migrated to Australia at an early age, completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and then decided she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. She attended her first two years of medical school in Malaysia, followed by her clinical years at the University of Warwick in England. After completing one year of internship in England, she opted to apply for US residency, and she was classified as a Non-US IMG.
Here are a few of the highlights of her interview:
- Is anesthesiology that competitive for IMGs?
- How Dr. Tan overcame the challenge of a low step one score.
- Finding a good mentor through networking, coming out of one's comfort-zone and being a people-person.
- Fighting Impostor Syndrome as an IMG.
- How does Dr. Tan face her challenges to gain success?
- Dr. Tan shares her personal journey of battling depression.
- Dr. Tan's residency application story - from applying to 14 anesthesiology programs, a handful of preliminary positions and other specialties to landing a whopping 7 interviews.
- A discussion on the importance of preliminary programs.
- What is Dr. Tan's secret to landing so many interviews?
- And finally, when asked about her mantras for success, Dr. Tan stated that she constantly told herself that she is not her step score, that everything happens for a reason and that things will always get better!
Today, Dr. Tan is passionate about cooking, mental health and mentorship. The IMG journey is tough, but so are you! Work hard, but please look after yourself along the way. If she can do it, so can you!
Dr. Tan welcomes IMGs to contact her via her Instagram @drctstummyfillers and her email drctstummyfillers@gmail.com
Listen to the full episode at:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/73-imgroadmap-series-81-dr-cynthia-tan-anesthesiology/id1490731292?i=1000526095225
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1moYj7kvExEi36Lul8FPxh
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/MjdjOGU3MGEtNTBiNy00ZjY4LTlmYWYtMmI0MThmMDkyNzRj?sa=X&ved=0CA0QkfYCahcKEwj4_p2UrLTxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
At one point or another we all experience unforeseen circumstances which may lead to delays or changes throughout our journeys; but what matters is how we overcome these obstacles and use them to propel us. In this episode, soon to be Internal Medicine Resident Dr. Mishaal Zia shows us how she used her delays and challenges to her advantage and successfully landed her residency position!
As an ethnically Pakistani Canadian citizen, Dr. Mishaal had always dreamed of serving as a physician, which led her to pursue her medical education at the Karachi University in Pakistan. After having graduated in 2017, Dr. Mishaal, who is classified as a Non-US IMG, decided to write her Step 2 CS exam first. Since her medical school program in Pakistan was heavily based on clinical experience, she felt more prepared to do this exam first as compared to the step one. In 2019, she completed her Step one and Step 2 CK exams, both of which she passed.
Unfortunately, the first time she applied for residency, she received two interviews but did not match into either program. With renewed motivation, she applied a second time after having improved her application package, and this time landed nine interviews eventually leading to her matching at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
When asked what she did differently during her second match cycle to achieve such a level of success, Dr. Mishaal cited the following:
- Though she was not enable to gain any additional clinical experience during her gaps between applications, she worked on improving her personal statement and overall application. She used resources such as the IMG Roadmap course to restructure her application to make it more palatable to program coordinators.
- She developed her virtual interviewing skills.
- She applied for a couple's match along with her husband so they would not have to spend several years apart.
- Dr. Mishaal also stressed the importance of time management, working diligently, taking necessary breaks and managing anxiety during the entire process.
Now that she has landed her residency position, Dr. Mishaal shared the following as her personal mantras for success:
- Strong, in her Muslim faith, Dr. Mishaal believes in working her absolute hardest and leaving the rest to God and His sacred timing.
- The most rewarding parts of the life often follow challenges and come along with immense personal growth.
- Do not let growing pains prevent you from persisting and achieving your goals. Though there may be many obstacles, you always eventually end up where you are meant to be.
- Delays do not determine your journey, what matters is not when you got there, but the fact that you got there!
You can reach out to Dr. Mishaal at mishaal.zia@gmail.com
Listen to the full episode using the following links:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/72-imgroadmap-series-80-dr-mishaal-zia-internal-medicine/id1490731292?i=1000525233863
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J9ssLvy9Pns8naogWooFX
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/ZmNjNDY2YzMtZTk3OC00NjIzLTkwMjktNDU0NTE4NGIwZWNk?sa=X&ved=0CAYQkfYCahcKEwjo25nlp7TxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQTg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
What can non-traditional IMGs do to turn the aspects that make their journey unique into their biggest assets when trying to match into residency? Newly matched Psychiatry resident Dr. Maureen Karina is here to answer your burning questions and inspire you to persist despite the odds you face!
Dr. Karina enrolled into the American University of Antigua, College of Medicine in 2013, took a break in 2014 due to financial difficulties, resumed in 2015 and graduated in 2020. Her journey deviated significantly from what is considered the norm, not only due to her gap, but also because she became a mother in her last year of medical school. Eventually, she matched into a program in California, despite the stigma that IMGs seem to face within that state. At no point did she allow the naysayers to influence her actions and she did whatever was necessary to achieve the position of her dreams. Throughout all the challenges she faced along her path, Dr. Karina never gave up, and her story is truly one of determination and perseverance. As such, she gives the following advice to non-traditional IMGs:
- Own your story - At first, Dr. Karina was concerned that revealing that she had a family of her own would negatively influence her chances of matching, since it may imply that she would be less "dedicated" than single applicants. However, she states that this fact only served to humanize her in the eyes of the program coordinators. Be transparent into what makes you, you, and others will see your vision!
- Realize that challenges are a part of life - Life happens to a lot of us. Program coordinators want to see that despite whatever was thrown at you, you had the ability to rise and be stronger as a result.
- Rejection is a part of life - Throughout life you will not always be accepted, but that doesn't mean that you should never allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone, actively network, and build connections with the relevant people in your field. Success requires discomfort!
And to inspire us all, Dr. Karina left the following inspirational nuggets:
- Do your best to stand out. Especially when applying its important to show how you are different than the rest.
- Delay is not denial. Your journey may take longer, but it doesn't mean that your destination is not within reach.
- When one door is shut in your face, climb through the window! Sometimes, you just need to take initiative and create the opportunities that you deserve.
- Never let life's difficulties dull your passion and hope.
You can reach out to Dr. Karina via Instagram @moekagz and at maureen.karina@icloud.com.
Listen to the full episode at:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/71-imgroadmap-series-79-dr-maureen-karina-psychiatry/id1490731292?i=1000524323746
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/2i9cviqzDyZpQ1rBHRpuan
Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/YjgyYWNkNmEtNmRlOC00NjllLTg2MGEtMzcxM2JmY2FmZmNl?sa=X&ved=0CA0QkfYCahcKEwjo25nlp7TxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Has self-doubt ever caused you to procrastinate when trying to achieve your dream? In this episode, Internal Medicine Resident Dr. Ariela Baur shares her inspiring story of ambition, resilience and discipline as she silenced her self-doubt in order to attain success.
German-born Dr. Baur attended medical school at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary & Hamburg, Germany. After graduating in 2016, she worked for 3 years in cardiology in Germany, before she decided to take the leap and pursue residency in the United States. Though she knew she could have served as a doctor in Germany, she realized that it was not what she wanted for herself, and that she had to make a change. She knew that the transition would not be easy, but she was willing to do whatever it took to reach her goal.
One of the most outstanding points to note about Dr. Baur's journey is that she passed USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3 all within 2 years. When she was asked how she was able to carry this out, she highlighted the following:
- She engaged in a six week Kaplan course which helped her to prepare for Step 1 USMLE, especially with regard to adjusting to the American exam style.
- She found a group of supportive colleagues with whom she could study and share experiences.
- She was disciplined and driven and used her time wisely when preparing for the exam.
- Though it was difficult, despite the rescheduling of the USMLE exams due to COVID, and other challenges, she persisted.
After having taken the exams, Dr. Baur outlined the following about her application cycle:
- When the results came in, her step 1 score was 211, and though this disappointed her, she changed her strategy and went full force into preparing for steps 2 and 3, which she crushed! To improve her Step 2 scores, she focused more on practice questions, which yielded success.
- During the gaps between exams, Dr. Baur did rotations with the private practice of various physicians in order to build her US clinical experience and enhance her application.
- Though she applied to over 100 programs in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, she only landed 2 interviews. She also did not let that discourage her, and decided to let her personality and dedication shine through during the interviews. After all, you only need one successful interview!
Dr. Baur hopes to inspire IMGs to:
- Study hard, but take breaks as needed. Do not allow vigorous and constant studying to compromise your mental health.
- Follow a strict schedule but reward yourself accordingly. The sacrifice is worth it!
You can reach out to Dr. Baur to find out more about her story and to seek advice via her instagram @arielii_b
Listen to the full episode using the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/70-imgroadmap-series-78-dr-ariela-baur-internal-medicine/id1490731292?i=1000523480099
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wDrhmPwpa0TdgvvIfex2M
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/Njk3YzMwMWEtNzE2NS00ZWFiLTgxMmQtNzBjMWNkMDM1ODZj?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjAjPnIhPrwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
In our world of today, many marginalized communities face systemic injustices when seeking medical care, which leads to disproportionate rates of chronic illness and even death. OBGYN resident Dr. Nina Snowden, after having felt the brunt of these disparities herself, has dedicated her life to making a difference no matter how small. Keep listening to find out more about this IMG's story of determination and resilience.
As a US IMG, Dr. Snowden completed her undergraduate and master's degrees in the US and even served as a registered dietician. After having faced a tragedy, however, Dr. Snowden felt inspired to start medical school at a later age than most students. It is this resolve that guided her through her medical education as she moved step by step to fulfill her calling to be a physician. She attended the St. George's University in Grenada and was able to maintain good grades throughout her time there.
When asked to share the highlights of her journey to the match, Dr. Snowden dropped the following gems of advice:
- Make good use of your resources - Dr. Snowden recommends the IMG Roadmap course as an excellent guide to help IMGs land the residency they've been dreaming of.
- Networking is key! Dr. Snowden took it upon herself to show initiative and reach out to as many people within her intended field. She joined organizations, attended conferences and introduced herself to program coordinators in order to improve her chances of matching.
- Ignore the naysayers - Though Dr. Snowden admits to not having had the most stellar scores on USMLE, she did not let the negative opinions of others prevent her from applying to the specialties that she was interested in. Ultimately, the only person who needs to believe in you, is you!
- Leverage your application if your scores are not within your desired bracket - Dr. Snowden ensured that she had a back up plan and so, attained letters of recommendation from each one of her core rotations in case she had to participate in the The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). She boosted all the other areas of her application so that her scores were just one component of many.
Overall, despite a rough beginning, Dr. Snowden was determined not to become a statistic, and despite being an underdog, she was determined to achieve all of her goals. As such, she constantly reminded herself to: Strive to do better in all things. Once you do your best, everything else will fall in line.
Feeling inspired? You can reach out to Dr. Snowden to find out more about her phenomenal story via her Instagram @drnina_obgyn and her email: nina.s.snowden@gmail.com
Listen to the full episode using the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/69-imgroadmap-series-77-dr-nina-snowden-obstetrics/id1490731292?i=1000522741273
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5aP5rRjsmZM2aXkx63ymag
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/N2QzYjEyNjEtY2E1Yy00MGE5LTg3NjAtYWY4NzhhNzU3M2M5?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwiwv4-3nejwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Have your challenges and bad experiences ever made you feel like giving up? Dr. Foluwakemi Olufehinti's story will give you all of the inspiration you need to persist in the face of adversity until you achieve your goals!
Nigerian-born Non-US IMG Dr. Olufehinti completed her medical education at Ross University, which was then situated on the Caribbean island of Dominica. As a student, she had to adjust to a different learning and testing style, but eventually, she gained success despite the various difficulties she faced.
When it comes to the match, Dr. Olufehinti's story is far from traditional. She essentially applied on three occasions, twice in the traditional match process and once through the the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).
On her first try for the 2019 match period, though she received 7 interviews, she did not match. She decided to try again through SOAP, which was also unsuccessful. Dr. Olufehinti did not let these setbacks define her and she used this as an opportunity to consult with resources such as the IMG Roadmap Course and to seek feedback from her interviewers in order to highlight areas needing improvement. With this in mind, she applied for the 2021 match period and received 20 interviews this time around!
In December of 2020, however, she received an offer from one of the programs she had applied to prior to the 2021 cycle and decided to accept it.
As a result of her very unique journey to the match, Dr. Olufehinti is a wealth of insight and advice. Here are a few of the topics she touches on in during this interview:
- The match: After not having matched the first two times, Dr. Olufehinti attributes her success thereafter to an increase in confidence and to the understanding that while she was being interviewed, she was also interviewing the program coordinators. The moment she saw herself as a potential asset to the program, the coordinators began to share the same view.
- Preparing for the USMLE: Dr. Olufehinti advises IMGs to study in groups if this style works for you, and to use plenty of practice questions from reputable sources. While your grades do not define you, program coordinators just want to see that you are diligent and capable of improvement.
- Persistence is key: Though there were times where it seemed like all the odds were stacked against her, Dr. Olufehinti was able to stop, take stock, and improve until she was able to achieve her goals.
You can reach out to Dr. Olufehinti via her Instagram @fomoshgreen
Watch the full episode using the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Is emergency medicine your passion but you are scared that as an IMG your chances of matching are significantly lower?
In our ever-changing world, outstanding IMGs like Dr. Ololade Akinfemiwa keep breaking the barriers, challenging the status quo and living their dreams as physicians in the United States. Keep listening to find out more about this Emergency Medicine resident's inspiring journey!
Nigerian-Canadian Dr. Akinfemiwa was never one to let life's challenges define her and this ambitious attitude drove her throughout medical school at the St. George's University in Grenada, despite this not having been her original plan. She worked hard during medical school and was able to perform exceptionally well until her graduation in 2021.
With regard to her specialty, Dr. Akinfemiwa chose emergency medicine after a particular rotation which cemented her interest in the field.
When asked about her journey to the match and the various difficulties she faced, Dr. Akinfemiwa highlighted the following:
- Throughout her education at St. George's university, she studied in the UK, Grenada and the US. The constant moving, while difficult, was made more bearable by having a strong support system to surround her.
- The unique experience of going through residency application and interviews completely online offered certain advantages in the realms of networking and communication, which are both essential during this process.
- Scores are not the end all, be all and they do not define you. Dr. Akinfemiwa ensured to build her application to be as holistic as possible through extra curricular activities and relevant clinical experience.
- Detailed research, diligence and dedication are important especially when attempting to specialize in Emergency Medicine, due to the characteristic requirements of this field such as the standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE).
- When preparing for virtual interviews, Dr. Akinfemiwa advises to practice with friends and family, record and critique yourself in order to identify areas needing improvement, and to ensure that you have a stable internet connection.
Finally, Dr. Akinfemiwa leaves us with these inspirational tidbits:
- Always work as hard as possible. Once you've done the best that you can, there is no need to worry.
- Mindset plays a huge rule in a person's success. Everything that you are able to achieve begins with your thoughts.
- Persistence in the face of challenges builds resilience and success.
You can reach out to Dr. Akinfemiwa via her Instagram @lboogiiee and her Twitter @lolakinfem
Watch the full episode using the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Did you attend a Caribbean Medical school and you are interested in matching into a residency in Family Medicine in the US? Keep listening to find out how US-IMG Dr. Jessica Udeogu navigated this process and came out successful despite the COVID-19 pandemic!
Dr. Jessica Udeogu was born in Texas, but went to St. James School of Medicine in the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent. Though she had always wanted to be a physician, due to life's constraints she first worked for ten years in the medical field before graduating with her medical degree in January of 2021, with her residency beginning this summer. Her story was truly one of bravery and overcoming various obstacles in the path toward her dream. One of these challenges was indeedCOVID-19 which caused her to have to participate in the first-ever virtual residency interview process.
In light of this, here are a few points that IMGs can note and learn from Dr. Jessica's journey:
- Routine is key: Dr. Jessica noted the importance of having a schedule and sticking to it when preparing for exams such as the USMLE which led to her scoring 236 and 235 on her step 1 and 2 exams respectively, all while managing a full time job and pursuing a master's degree.
- Understand the importance of ECFMG certification: It's important to keep in the loop with the ECFMG organization so that you're not caught off-guard by anything. During her interview process, she was constantly asked about her ECFMG certification status. She was able to stay on top of things by being organized and prompt in her preparation.
- Stratify your applications according to relevant criteria: She was able to meticulously select the 95 programs that she would apply to based on her passions and eventually landed six interviews, all at institutions she had ranked.
- Optimize your virtual interviews: Dr. Jessica maximized her resources and ensured that her internet connection was reliable, that her lighting and background were optimal and paid attention to the requirements of each of the interviewing programs.
But how was Dr. Jessica able to surpass various difficulties, financial and otherwise, to land her residency position? She states that it's because she lives by the following mantras:
- Have a growth mindset - be open and receptive to the positive things that this world has to offer.
- Slow and steady wins the race - your journey is yours and takes place within your specific timeline. Never compare yourself to others!
You can contact Dr. Jessica via her Facebook @Jessica Udeogu and her Twitter @jessudeogu
Watch the full episode using the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Is the field of obstetrics and gynecology too competitive for IMGs? Absolutely not! Dr. Ranae Hedman proves that with the right approach towards your residency application, and life in general, nothing is off limits. Keep listening to find out more about her fascinating story especially when it comes to preliminary vs categorical residency positions!
A first generation American born to Jamaican immigrant parents, Dr. Hedman has always known that she wanted to be the first physician in her family and was willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her calling. Slated to graduate from the St. George's Medical University in Grenada in May of 2021, Dr. Hedman has already secured her position as an incoming categorical obstetrics and gynecology intern in the U.S.
Her journey was not an easy one, but Dr. Hedman was able to remain positive and hopeful throughout, citing her passion and love for her target field as her main driving force.
With regard to preparing a competitive residency application packet even during the pandemic, Dr. Hedman advises IMGs to:
- Identify your perceivable weaknesses but do not be limited by them - take note of what the gap between where you are and where you want to be constitutes. Dr. Hedman herself admits to having exhausted all of her options and avenues to pursue her dreams.
- Build your resume with relevant clinical experience and make yourself known in your field of interest. Dr. Hedman recommends reaching out to as many clinical coordinators as possible and to constantly be on the lookout for helpful opportunities.
- When engaging in elective clinical rotations, do not just do your job, but do it eagerly and passionately. This will show those in charge how dedicated you are, which may result in excellent letters of recommendation, or even opportunities to complete residency at those institutions.
- In every step of the way, think ahead and do things as far in advance as possible.
Some inspirational tidbits that Dr. Hedman left with us include:
- Nobody knows your story better than you do - do not let the fears and worries of others prevent you from striving toward what you deserve.
- Do not let extenuating circumstances discourage you - there are others who have done it under even worse conditions and so can you!
- You don't have to do it alone - develop a healthy support system of like-minded individuals who wish you well, to help you along your way.
- Be guided by your "why" - always remind yourself of the root of your passion so that you can go forward to serve your future patients to the best of your abilities.
You can contact Dr. Hedman via her Instagram @Dr_heyitsnae
Watch the full episode using the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Are you interested in matching into Neurology but you're not sure what you should do to optimize your journey? Keep listening to find out about Dr. Darshana Vijaywargiya who defied the odds and landed a Neurology residency position at her first choice of program at SUNY Upstate Medical center!
Indian born Dr. Darshana graduated from medical school in India in 2018, and while she had never intended to practice in the US, she decided to do so in 2019.
A wealth of wisdom and insight, Dr. Darshana shared with us her experience and advice regarding various parts of her medical journey.
Just a few of her stellar tips for IMGs are as follows:
USMLE Preparation:Dr. Darshana remarks that one of the most important parts of USMLE prep is getting an early start, being diligent while learning and studying and getting used to the exam question style. While assessment methods vary from country to country, don't be too hard on yourself, it gets easier with practice. Also, write the exam as soon as possible so that the information is still fresh in your mind! While it is important to strive for the highest grades possible in all parts of the USMLE exams, scores are just one part of the application. To be a competitive applicant, you must focus on all the other parts equally.
Neurology Residency Application:While Dr. Darshana admits that scores do play a role in your chance of success getting into this field, she also stresses on the importance of clinical experience and research as integral components of an attractive application. Persistence and learning how to accept negative answers or even spinning these rejections to your advantage is key. Dr. Darshana herself sent hundreds of emails to US clinical program coordinators across the country which landed her countless valuable opportunities both virtual and in person.
Successful interviews:
Dr. Darshana advises IMGs to be level-headed, calm and confident even in the face of perceived mistakes. Being approachable, sincere and personable is what will set you apart!
You can reach Dr. Darshana via:
- Facebook @A Monkey Brain's Journey
- Twitter @Darshanavjw3
- Instagram @the.address.of.hope
- Her blog theaddressofhope.wordpress.com
Listen to the full episode using the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
What is the IMG Roadmap? You can find your answer here ...
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
How are IMGs navigating through the residency application process during COVID-19? Despite the constraints that this global phenomenon has presented, is there a possibility for you to use it to your advantage? Slated to start her Emergency Medicine Residency in June of 2021 at the University of California Davis Medical Center, Slovenian doctor Lara Zekar's success is proof of her mantra, "Impossible is not a fact - it's a dare."
From the beginning of her medical journey and especially at the point where she decided she wanted to become a US Resident in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Zekar has moved with intention, determination and dedication toward her goal. She completed her medical degree at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine in 2018 and from there spent her time making pointed decisions which ultimately made her a very competitive candidate when applying for US residency.
When asked to share her residency application story, Dr, Zekar notes that it indeed was a marathon and not a sprint. Here are a few of the highlights of her journey:
- She figured out that she was passionate about Emergency Medicine during one of her unofficial clinical rotations in the US.
- She started researching the steps that would be necessary to achieve this aspiration.
- Since she was one of the few Slovenians to have ever gone through this process, she faced significant obstacles, however, she used her resources to her advantage to combat them.
- During her 4th and 5th year of medical school, she studied for 9 months on and off for the USMLE exams for which she ended up scoring 258 and 269 for step one and step 2 respectively.
- She participated in a medical humanitarian mission to Kenya and ensured that even when she was not at school or at the hospital, she was staying active in the medical field through volunteering and externships.
- She decided to do unofficial rotations in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Emergency Medicine in order to attain Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOEs) which are a key requirement for Emergency Medicine residency applicants.
- She meticulously compiled a list of over 90 programs to which she would apply and land a whopping 6 interviews.
As such, Dr. Lara encourages IMGs to:
- Be the most competitive candidate you can be, focus on getting the highest scores but still not neglecting the other parts of your holistic application.
- Be detailed, intentional and meticulous.
- Do not let the fact that it feels like all the odds are stacked against you stop you from trying to defeat the impossible.
You can reach out to Dr. Lara via her email: lara.zekar@gmail.com and her twitter @LaraZe6
Listen to the full episode using the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
In this episode, I am joined by a group of IMGs from the MD FEME podcast.
These established physicians share the innate challenges of being an IMG as well as personal challenges and how they overcome them.
You will learn valuable tips on how to overcome your struggles both in the classroom and in the field. You will hear the stories of women who have been right where you are as they offer you encouragement and advice for any season in your own journey as an IMG.
Here’s a few self-reminders every listener should take note of:
- DON’T let others discount you because of your struggles or challenges
- Build up a strong sense of SELF-CONFIDENCE
- NEVER give up because you failed the first try
- ALWAYS pursue your dream with DETERMINATION and RISE ABOVE the nay-sayers
- Ask for help along the way
- “NO” is just a doorway to another opportunity
If you would like to connect with MD FEME or any of the guests on the show, you can find their information below.
MD FEME Guests:
Kristen Scatliffe, MD - Pulmonary Critical Care IMG; IG: @krisdbaby79Emily Shay, MD - ID Critical Care IM; IG: @idcritmd
Kandice Waul Bennett, MD - Family Medicine IMG; IG: @goodas_waulmdLubna Chaudhry, MD - Family Medicine IMG; IG: @drmomwifebossKimberly Works, MD ; Web: https://www.pediatricworks.co/
Akua Ampadu MD - Internal Medicine IMG; IG: @doctorkukie
Jana McKenzie, MD
MD FEME
Website: https://www.mdfeme.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/md_feme/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsGfaHI1AGJoQv4TQbUJXpA?reload=9
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
In this episode, I interview Dr. Priyana Tweet, a newly minted doctor and graduate from Ross University in Dominica.
After her first residency interview, she found out about her failure on one of the USMLE examinations. She fought internally about how to handle this. She asked for help, worked hard, leveraged integrity and re-took the examination while still on the interview trail.
Today, she is an intern pursuing her dreams in residency.
In this episode, you will learn about her journey through a Caribbean medical school and how she overcame the challenges along the way.
If you’re looking for opportunities to network at conferences, check out AAFP and AMSA online.
If you would like to connect with Dr. Tweet, you can email her at pritweet73@gmail.com. You can also find her on Instagram @tweet7337 (https://www.instagram.com/tweet7337/)
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Very recently a popular scrub apparel company posted an image of a female doctor of osteopathic medicine.
This is not unusual but what was highlighted in the image is that the book was from the "For Dummies" series which breakdowns concepts for the simplest of readers. The book in question was upside down and was titled "Medical Terminology for Dummies".
This reminded me of the misconceptions that circulate regarding IMG's and also DO's.
In today's episode, Dr. Ruth Arumala and myself discuss FAQs about international medical school (an MD route) versus osteopathic medical school (the DO route).
As an Obstetrician-Gynecologist with a practice in Mansfield, Texas, Dr. Ruth Arumala provides evidence based medical care to women of all ages at all aspects of their lives. Dr. Arumala specializes in the management of pregnancy, fibroids, PCOS, sexual dysfunction and menopause.
Dr. Arumala has won several awards that demonstrate her exceptional clinical skills and service to her community. These include 2020 National Minority Quality Forum’s 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health, 2020 Fort Worth Magazine “Top Docs” Tarrant County, Ob-Gyn, 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars, and 2020 Women in Medicine’s “Top ObGyn” Fort Worth.
In addition to her clinical duties, Dr Arumala also serves as the entertaining hostess of the ‘Pretty + Pink Podcast: A Modern Woman’s Guide to Health.” From love, sex and relationships to the managing personal finances, Dr. Arumala interviews inspirational female expert guests who explore a broad range of topics that affect women.
Armed with her varied experience in medical training, Ruth Arumala, DO, MPH, NCMP invests a lot of time and resources to preparing the next generation of physicians for their careers through one-on-one mentoring and video series hosted on several media outlets.
To learn more about the work Dr. Arumala is doing check out:
IG Personal @i.am.dr.arumala
IG Ob/Gyn Practice @my.mansfield.obgyn_
IG Podcast:@prettyinpinkpod
Website: www.drarumala.com
Podcast: https://www.drarumala.com/pretty-in-pink-podcast
Listen to the full episode for more!
*INTERVIEW PREP FOR IMG's IS LOCATED HERE: https://imgroadmap.com/p/interviewprep/?preview=logged_out *
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
This IMG matched into Ophthalmology but she wants you to know she is not special!
As a graduate of a Caribbean medical school, she knew what the blogs say about her odds of matching into a competitive surgical specialty.
But … she accepted the challenge, and took action to build a success story for herself.
In the process she gained a mentor without knowing it and in this episode you will learn how that was beneficial for her.
As a current PGY-4 in New York State Dr. Tomilade Adepoju is sharing all the gems she has learned along the way.
In this episode, you will learn about:
- How to match into general ophthalmology
- Fellowship options for IMG’s and how to get there
- Why IMGs should not shy away from competitive specialties
- How to prepare for a competitive specialty.
You can find a previous interview she did with us here as the second guest of the IMG Roadmap interview series by clicking here.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
In this episode educator and USMLE guru Dr. Adeleke Adesina invites you to learn about how to combat the mistakes that IMGs make when it comes to test preparation.
He also delves into his E.A.S.E study format which over the last 10 years has resulted in a 97% pass rate on USMLE for his students. You can find out more about his USMLE prep program by clicking here.
EASE is an acronym he created that stands for:
E - Examine
A - Associate
S - Summarize
E - Evaluate
In this episode he also shares some attitudes that he wants you to ditch which include:
- Lack of systematic approach
- Use of buzz words without intent
- Misusing question banks or not using them as efficiently as should beAnd so much more!
Listen to the full episode on the IMG Roadmap Podcast to learn more.
Sign up for the Smash Usmle webinar by clicking here.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Have you ever wondered if you can take all the USMLE required tests within one year?
If you think this is impossible, think again!
Because … this IMG did just that!
She is a non-US IMG from Nigeria who just completed internal medicine residency in the North Eastern United States. Besides taking all her exams in a "timely manner", she still did not match on her first attempt while on an F-1 visa. Despite that, she went on to pursue a masters degree during her gap year and continued to forge ahead!
In this episode, you will learn:
-
Her opinion doing a masters degree to boost your application.
-
How to prepare and take all your exams in 1 year and her exact scores on step 1 and step 2
-
Why she did not spend more time studying!
-
Tips for preparing for the Internal Medicine match.
-
How keeping a group of motivated friends during this tedious IMG journey.
-
J-1 vs H1 B visa choices and why she chose a J-1 visa.
You can find her on Instagram here : @oma_hottiemd .
Leave us a review below!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Do you have questions about what exactly is a pre-match and how to land one when applying for residency? Are you anxious about your move to the US after you've completed your international medical education? Managing the hectic life of a pediatric gastroenterologist while being a full-time wife and mother, IMG Dr. Ayesha Baig shows us that with enough determination, focus and sacrifice, we all have the potential to achieve our wildest dreams. Keep listening to find out the details of her success story which included her writing medical licensing exams in three different countries!
Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, Dr. Ayesha completed medical school and then decided to move to the United Kingdom. However, after having written the GMC examinations there, she found out that the UK was not giving medical training visas to international graduates at the time. This prompted her to attempt to practice in the UAE, where her husband was located at the time, which required her to take the relevant exams.
Eventually, though, she decided to move with her family to the and after having taken all of the USMLE steps in only one year, Dr. Ayesha landed a pre-match residency position at the Brookdale University hospital in New York, followed by a three year fellowship in gastroenterology which she completed in 2020.
When asked how she was able to land a pre-match, Dr. Ayesha advised that while she was indeed blessed to have received such an opportunity, the following tips may help IMGs to improve their chances of doing the same:
- Even if your scores are not stellar, focus on developing the other parts of your CV and market yourself well.
- The right amount and quality of experience is key. Wherever you are, try to engage in as many observerships, research, and clinical opportunities as possible.
- Try to excel at your interview and present the best version of yourself at all times.
And finally, as we are surely all wondering, how was Dr. Ayesha able to pull all of this off while having a family and a host of other responsibilities and challenges? As such, she advises us to:
- Have a strong support system
- Have time sensitive goals with realistic expectations
- Understand that sacrifice now can lead to bigger benefits later
- Strategize and make use of your resources in order to make the best financial and educational decisions
- Stay organized and think ahead
- But above all, remain positive and believe in your potential.
Dr. Ayesha is truly an inspiration to us all, and if you would like to reach out to her, you can do so via her Instagram where she answers your pressing questions and provides invaluable information @Dr.ayeshabaig
Listen to the full episode here: Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Are you interested in taking your IMG journey to the next level? The IMG Roadmap Course is back again to help you reach your full potential! In this episode, you will learn the details about the upcoming IMG Roadmap Course hosted by Dr. Lum. It is carded to begin on April 5th 2021 and seats are getting filled already!
To get answers to your frequently asked questions, read this article here: https://www.drninalum.com/faq and you can also sign up for one of the upcoming webinars where you will learn more about the course before enrolling. Dr. Lum will be there to answer any questions you may have about the course and offer guidance as to how you can join. You can sign up for the FREE webinar by clicking here.
For an idea of what's to come, you can also CLICK HERE to read and watch the webinar on "What to do if you did not match as an IMG"
Now to talk about the most pressing issue at hand; the residency match results according to the ECFMG:
132 more IMGs matched this year when compared to last year! This is a freaking big deal, though the percentage looks lower, its just because the denominator (i.e. number of available spots) is higher. You get it? The fact that there are more spots available only serves to give us hope that even more IMGs will match in years to come.
Some more granular data from ECFMG : 928 + first year positions were available this cycle compared to the last one (2020). That means over 900 opportunities to achieve your dreams as an IMG!
56.7% IMGs matched this year compared to 61.1% last year! Though this percentage may seem smaller, it actually represents the fact that 132 more IMGs in total matched, compared to the increase in the number of available spots.
Here is some more information specific to the demographics of all applicants:
- 3,152 US citizen IMGS matched out of 5,295 participants.
- 4,356 non US citizen IMGs matched out of 7,493!
- 2,143 US citizen IMGs did not match & 3,587 non US IMGs did not match!
Aren't these statistics inspiring? Now is a greater time than ever to take the leap as an IMG to go for the residency position of your dreams. IMGs are rightfully taking up space in all areas of medicine in the US from Family Medicine to Orthopedic Surgery among so many other specialties.
Stay tuned and secure your spot in the IMG Roadmap Course as soon as possible!
Listen to the full episode at the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic:https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
What if you had dreamt of being a surgeon, but somewhere along your medical journey your passions and interests changed? Dr. Morakinyo represents a very important part of many of our lives - the reality that things may not always go according to plan and the fact that we always have the power to make the best of every situation. Keep listening to find out how this IMG navigated SOAP and landed his current residency match!
Nigerian-born, Canadian citizen Emmanuel Morakinyo is the picture of a non-traditional IMG. His medical journey began at the St. Georges University after which he landed a residency in internal medicine at the Orange Park Medical Center, just outside of Jacksonville, Florida.
While he had every intention of pursuing a career in surgery, after four months of surgery-based rotations, he decided that such a specialty did not align with the life that he had come to envision for himself. Upon this realization, he re-evaluated his interests and their compatibility with his life-plan and proceeded to begin the match process. He eventually ended up enlisting in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) and took the gamble of not submitting a rank list!
When asked how he was able to navigate SOAP, especially with such a risky start, and how he would advise others to approach the process, he outlined the following:
- If you have even the slightest inkling that you will need to go through SOAP, get all of your documents in order as soon as possible.
- Upgrade, tailor and personalize your personal statements to their intended recipients. Use any advantage or leverage that you may have to increase your chances of landing a match.
- Ensure that you have a good internet connection and that you prioritize so that you can dedicate enough time to monitoring the various online portals.
- Have a solid support system - this process is indeed anxiety-inducing, but having people around to help you makes all the difference.
- Stay away from irrelevant online forums that may bring unnecessary negativity and stress.
- Exhaust the number of applications that SOAP allows you.
Even after such a seemingly daunting process, Dr. Morakinyo is currently transitioning into his second year of residency and maintains a positive attitude. Here are some inspirational tidbits that he hopes will inspire us to do the same:
- Speak your goals into existence
- Do not be discouraged if you do not match and have to go through SOAP - it's not the end of the world.
- Put in your best and leave the rest to God.
You can reach out to Dr. Morakinyo on his instagram @iyanulive.md and through his email iyanulivecontact@gmail.com
Listen to the full episode here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Nigerian-born family medicine physician Dr. Ayo Omole proves to us that having a distinct plan, learning from one's mistakes and being adaptable are the keys to success. Keep listening to learn more about how his unique medical journey started in the Ukraine and continues as he practices in California!
Admittedly never the "best" student, Dr. Ayo never gave up throughout his medical school journey with his goals clear in his mind. After growing up in Nigeria, he got accepted into medical school in the Ukraine after which he returned to Nigeria for a few years, before transitioning into the US Medical system.
He stated what a lot of IMG's feel: the process seemed daunting and overwhelming at first glance, with so many organizations and exams and processes. Where could he begin? His response to these feelings were just to do as much research as he could, and to identify the first step and take the leap.
From there, it was easier to identify what came next and what he should be doing at each step of the way. In the end, he remarked that the process is not as convoluted as it seems and once you make use of all the resources available to you, the mountain is not insurmountable.
When asked what he overcame as an IMG, after much reflection, Dr. Ayo noted the following:
- Financial Difficulties - It took him two years of sacrifice, working diligently and saving in order to finance the process of becoming a physician in the US.
- Getting the right letters of recommendation - His number one piece of advice in this regard is to make use of any connections you may have. They may very well make the world of a difference.
- Finding support - At first, Dr. Ayo admits that it was hard to find a community of people that he shared a lot in common with. He advises that social media is an indispensable tool in networking and finding the right people to help you along your journey.
Some key inspirational nuggets that Dr. Ayo leaves us with are:
- The journey from being an IMG to a licensed US physician is a marathon and not a sprint. It is expensive and may take several years of your life, but the benefits are worth it.
- Understand the science of exams to get them right the first time. Try not to have multiple attempts if it can be avoided.
- In every interview, go in with a positive mindset and a strategy.
- Above all, stay positive and do not allow the world's negativity to consume you.
You can get in touch with Dr. Ayo on his Instagram @dhadoctor
Listen to the full podcast episode here:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Serving as a family medicine physician with a sports medicine specialty, and as a successful entrepreneur, Cameroonian-American Dr. George Tabi proves that IMGs can do it all!
Born and raised in New York City to Cameroonian parents, Dr. Tabi grew up seeing the challenges that the people in his area faced. After his father moved back to Cameroon because of work, he witnessed his mother working hard to support their family which eventually led her to become a nurse.
While he was always encouraged to become a doctor, Dr. Tabi had a keen interest in sports which led to his obtaining a basketball scholarship to attend Reinhardt University. After sustaining a leg injury, Dr. Tabi’s focus pivoted into medicine and eventually to Poland where he enrolled in a six year medical program.
He noted that while there were drawbacks to studying outside of the US, the training he received in Europe was highly beneficial, especially due to the fact that his professors were highly passionate practicing physicians with lots of clinical experience. Additionally, the assessment methods used there were sometimes oral-based and overall very different from the methods he was used to in the US. As a result, during residency, his perspective and approach to issues faced within the medical field differed significantly from that of his US-trained colleagues.
In the final year of his medical program, Dr. Tabi started applying for US residencies all over the country and scored 15 interviews. However, he only ended up attending 3 of them because the third offered him a pre-match residency position on the spot!
When asked how he did it, he admitted that he did not go into that interview with the best of mindsets at first, but pulled it together keeping the following tips in mind:
- Go into every interview like it’s your last
- Always exude positive energy
- Be honest and authentic, don’t over exaggerate who you are
- Be punctual, serious and respectful
Some key takeaways and inspirational nuggets that Dr. Tabi leaves us with are:
- Fall in love with being wrong while you have the luxury of not being held accountable: don’t be afraid to appear to not be the smartest in the class, students are meant to learn, not to know it all.
- Collaborate and grow with your classmates instead of only debating and competing: the people who are your colleagues now will be your fellow doctors later. We do better together!
- Do not put yourself in a box and always be true to who you are. IMGs can be successful doctors and entrepreneurs or whatever they strive to be.
You can get in touch with Dr. Tabi on his Instagram @AskTabs and on his website asktabswellness.com.
**Listen to the full podcast episode here:
Apple:**https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Dr. Ima Ebong is a native of the Bahamas who is practicing on a J-1 visa. Though she went to medical school in the US, that process wasn't straightforward as she was still considered an IMG. Listen to her perspective on getting into US medical training as an international student. You can read more about her here.
Dr. Ima Ebong forms part of the expert team at the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute where she assesses and cares for patients who have epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s in bioengineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. After having completed her studies, she served within the Ministry of Health in the Bahamas which inspired her to start medical school.
The journey to becoming a physician was far from an easy one. However, Dr. Ebong, despite several setbacks, persevered and was finally offered a place at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of medicine, and later at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami where she completed her residency and a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology.
Currently, she is appointed as an assistant professor of neurology and clinical neurophysiology at UK College of Medicine.
Dr. Ebong is also passionate about diversity and the representation of ethnic minorities in the medical field. As such, for many years she has founded or been involved in various programs geared at increasing inclusivity of underrepresented minorities in the medical field.
Her clinical interests include general neurology, focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, neuropathy, myopathy, motor neuron disease and electrodiagnostics.
Dr. Ebong's advises prospective international medical students and IMGs alike to:
- Educate yourself on the processes necessary to achieve your goals including visas and financial requirements.
- Do not be discouraged if you are not the traditional student. Many students, like her, choose to pursue post-graduate studies before medical school and residency.
- You only need one "yes" - Rejection is an essential part of life, and more "no's" just mean that you're pushing as hard as you should.
- Value your support system throughout your journey.
You can reach out to Dr. Ebong on twitter @ImaEbongMD or at the University of Kentucky's website.
Listen to the full episode here:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Though is well known that it can be especially challenging for an IMG to land a residency position in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Adrian Huang defied the odds which seemed to be stacked against him, and still manages to serve with a smile today. He joins us on this episode to tell us exactly how he did it!
After completing his undergraduate degree, Canadian-born Dr. Adrian decided to diversify his applications and improve his chances of getting into medical school by applying both in North America and overseas. He ended up attending medical school at the University College Dublin but completed his electives in the US and Canada. While at this university, he not only appreciated being able to attend such a prestigious school but also relished the opportunity to experience a different culture and scenery while studying. After completing the five year program, he almost immediately landed a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Ottawa, and is now an attending orthopedic surgeon at the University of British Columbia.
His journey was far from traditional. In fact, he attributes his interest in orthopedic surgery to an instance where he had applied for a general surgery elective and instead was offered one in orthopedic surgery, since all of the general surgery spots were taken. From there, he tailored his electives to suit that goal, built networks, worked diligently and used his free time over the summer holidays to organize informal electives where he got hands-on experience and made himself known within the field.
Even as an attending surgeon, Dr. Adrian still maintains a thriving social media presence where he not only documents his journey and gives a unique perspective into the behind the scenes of being a doctor, but is also known for his positivity, and ability to inspire others.
Some important pieces of advice that he swears by are:
- Be savvy and creative in your approach to medical school and landing a residency. This is what will set you apart and yield results.
- Follow your heart, but back it up with earnest hard work and resilience.
- Nothing good comes without sacrifice, prioritizing and dedication.
Some key takeaways from Dr. Adrian include:
- Don't underestimate the power of a good mentor.
- Go the extra mile to be as competitive of a candidate as you can possibly be.
- Strike a balance in your life - you can be a good student and doctor but still live well.
You can learn more or contact Dr. Adrian via:
Instagram @scrubbedout
tiktok @scrubbedout
youtube @scrubbedout
And on his website www.scrubbedout.com
Listen to the full episode at the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap-podcast/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-podcast-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Interested in landing the residency of your dreams despite being a non-traditional IMG? Dr. Eva Beaulieu is not only dedicated to saving lives, but is also determined to inspire, lead and guide prospective doctors all over the world to achieve their goals.
Tune in this week to hear more about her unique journey and to nab some of her priceless inspirational gems, some of which were published in her instructional novel, "Paging Doctor You."
Dr. Eva Beaulieu was born in Haiti and moved to the US at the age of 15 where she attended high-school and pursued her undergraduate degree at Florida Atlantic University. Both of her parents are doctors, with her late father being a radiologist and her mother being a dermatologist who eventually transitioned into family medicine after moving the US.
Due to her background, she was always interested in becoming a physician, and so aligned herself with students of similar backgrounds and aspirations while at college. Partially due to their inspiration, she decided to pursue her medical degree in England for two years before transferring to the Ross University. She completed her clinical rotations in the US and qualified for residency in the state of Georgia where she currently resides and serves as in internal medicine hospitalist.
As an IMG, especially one of Afro-Caribbean descent, she also noted the different perspectives of US medical graduates during residency. Though their journeys were not the same, she couldn't help but notice the similarities in the challenges they faced.
As such, some of her inspirational nuggets include:
- Pick a specialty wisely and be realistic in your goals.
- Beware of self-doubt and don't let societal limitations such as the very real racial and ethnic inequality existing in the medical field be your end all, be all.
- Always put your best foot forward when studying, preparing personal statements, getting letters of recommendation and interviewing.
Some key takeaways include:
- Never limit yourself - with the right motivation and consistency you will be able to land the residency of your dreams.
- The importance of discipline, prioritizing, preparedness and routine.
- The importance of having a clear and concise plan.
You can learn more about Dr. Eva Beaulieu on her:
Instagram @dr.evab
Facebook @Dr. Eva
Are you eager to get yourself a copy of Dr. Beaulieu's novel, "Paging Doctor You"? We're having a giveaway! To qualify, simply leave a review of this episode wherever you listen to your podcasts and get a chance to win a copy of this book along with Dr. Lum's book "Beyond Challenges."
Listen to the full episode at the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic:https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Have you ever considered becoming an ENT resident?
In this week’s episode, Dr. Noor Sajjadi, a newly minted intern in the highly competitive field of otolaryngology and a non-traditional US-IMG, inspires us with her story of resilience, dedication and most importantly, intentionality.
Having been born and raised in the United States, Dr. Noor, despite being three months into her undergraduate degree program at UC Berkeley, made the difficult decision of enrolling into a five year medical program at the Aga Khan University in Pakistan.
Throughout her medical education, Dr. Noor always operated under the principles of hard work, determination and intentionality. As soon as she discovered her interest in the field of otolaryngology, and with her goal of practicing in the US in mind, every decision she made thenceforth was geared towards achieving that dream.
While in medical school, she pursued US clinical rotations and after having graduated in 2016, engaged in several research opportunities both clinical and basic science oriented.
One of her research fellowships was in the auditory lab at Stanford University in the basic science capacity, and despite it not being heavily clinical, it gave her the opportunity to have a comparatively holistic understanding of the field.
Her first time applying for residency in the ENT field was in 2019, which at first did not yield results. However, Dr. Noor used this as a learning experience and sought valuable feedback, which eventually led to her landing the match in 2020.
As such, this episode focuses offers these priceless takeaways:
- The importance of knowing the statistics and exact figures in the application process.
- How to twist your perceived short-comings and market your non-traditional IMG nature as an asset.
- The importance of asking for feedback.
- The importance of being intentional and clear in what you want to achieve.
- Why confidence and belief in yourself is a game-changer.
You can contact Dr. Noor to find out more about her inspiring story via Instagram @thestrugglingdoc
Listen to the full podcast at the links below:
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts:https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
This week’s show features the dynamic Dr. Sarpoma Sefa-Boakye, a family medicine physician from the US, with Ghanian roots.
Dr. Sarpoma attended the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) in Havana,Cuba. Contrary to popular belief, it was always her dream to attend an international medical school, despite her being a US citizen. From a young age, she was passionate about international art and culture which contributed to her having been awarded a partial scholarship for her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).There, she studied pre-medicine along with international development studies, which served to broaden her world view by affording her the opportunity to travel to Ghana, the land of her heritage, where she had the pleasure of meeting Cuban trained doctors who served there. It was from that moment that she became interested in studying medicine in Cuba which later became a reality when she received a full scholarship to do so.
Dr. Sarpoma always knew she wanted to practice in the US after her education, and with that goal in mind, she persevered until she achieved a residency match in family medicine in the state of California. She faced several challenges including the fact that in her final two years, she became a mother, which coupled with the adjustments necessary to assimilate back into a completely different medical academic system, were obstacles that she overcame that shaped her personal journey.
Today, she is a board certified family physician who works both independently and with community clinics in her fields of interest, namely adolescent health care and women’s reproductive rights. Though challenging, she sees the fact that she studied in a foreign country in a foreign language as an asset, as it served as a tool to make her resilient, mature and compassionate when dealing with patients of all backgrounds.
This Episode focuses on:
- Bridging the gap and adjusting study habits in order to connect what you’ve learnt at an international medical school to what is being tested in US based standardized medical exams.
- Overcoming personal difficulties and the importance of discipline and time-management in maintaining one’s mental health while trying to land a US residency.
- The importance of networking and intense strategy in order to make your perceived weaknesses actually become your strengths.
- How to use your free time to maximize your supplementary clinical and non clinical experiences and using extracurriculars to enhance your CV.
Some key takeaways include:
- As an IMG, never compare yourself with US graduates. Though it may seem that they have a large advantage, it is all new to them as well.
- Always get to know as many people and as much information in your field. Knowledge and being engaged is key.
- Be realistic and pragmatic in your approach. Sometimes it’s best to stay local when examining your opportunities so that you can have your support system closeby to help you along the way.
You can reach out to Dr. Sarpoma via:
Instagram @dr.sarpoma
Youtube @Dr. Sarpoma MD
Listen to the full episode at the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap-podcast/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-podcast-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
This week’s show is an interview with Dr. Ash Soni, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon from the UK.
Dr. Soni attended Imperial Medical School in London. While in school he began electives in the US to get a feel for whether he would pursue residency in the US. He started with a match into a research fellowship at Cornel leading to a match into general surgery at Johns Hopkins. His time in the US was rounded out with a match in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Seattle at University of Washington, followed by a year long fellowship back in the UK. After all his training, Dr. Soni started his own private clinic, The Soni Clinic.
Along with his story of determination and growth, Dr. Soni gives us a few pieces of advice to carry along our own journeys.
In this episode you will learn:
The importance of doing the early background work and research to prepare before coming to the US
The importance of setting standards for yourself as an IMG
The advantage of being as published as possible before applying for residency
The benefit of applying broadly for general surgery residency positions versus specialties
Dr. Soni also gives us some important takeaways:
It’s important to know what you’re worth
You shouldn’t settle when you have the opportunity for something better
Take the time to find institutions that respect and invest in the success of IMGs
Be realistic and know what is attainable for you
Nothing is impossible - it just depends on how hard you’re willing to work
You can read his full interview from 2019 on my blog by clicking HERE
If you would like to reach out to Dr. Soni, you can connect with him on Instagram @thesoniclinic
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
You can still do the things you did not get done in 2020.
But in order to do those, you need a plan, a roadmap and a vision.
In this episode, I help you make this your best year yet with vision planning.
The 4 components of vision planning :
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With vision planning, begin by reassessing failed plans from the last year
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Ask introspective questions to determine root causes
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Writing helps create clarity
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Visual representation helps reinforce priorities on an ongoing basis
You will also hear me share about the calendar I have created to help you map out a plan for the year.
This calendar is perfect with tips for each month for the IMG looking to apply into the match for 2022!
You can download this FREE calendar at drninalum.com/calendar
Cheers to a new year!
P.S. If you need any help with your vision board, take my free course on "How To Manifest Your Vision" by clicking HERE.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
This week’s podcast is an interview with Dr. Wafa Qulikhan. Dr. Qulikhan is an IMG from Saudi Arabia who attended medical school in China. After graduation in 2016, she came to the United States with the intentions of applying to residency. Instead she found herself in an observership in family medicine doing standard tasks and documentation. This led her into the world of clinical research as a research coordinator at University of Texas.
Along with hearing Dr. Qulikhan’s unique perspective and journey, you will also learn:
The value of research experience
The importance of networking
The responsibilities of a research coordinator
How to find and prepare for research positions
Here are just a few key takeaways from Dr. Qulikhan:
There is a place for IMGs outside of a clinical setting
You aren’t limited by the statistics for IMGs
Be aware of the differences in the experiences of those you ask for advice
You can pursue what you desire
You can create your own path
If you want to get in touch with Dr. Qulikhan, you can reach out through Instagram @doc.wj
To learn about clinical trials happening near you, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/
Listen to the full episode at the links below:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap-podcast/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-podcast-GE0MMg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
What if you could sign into a portal and be immediately redirected to browse clinicians and hospitals willing to have you rotate with them?
A system where you are in control of picking whom and where to go to enrich your CV?
Well, there is another IMG out there who has created a platform like this to help other international medical students find rotations. Oh, do not be alarmed, even graduates can find observerships here too!
Want to know more? Keep reading ...
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from IMG’s evolve around the topic of USCE (United States Clinical Experience) and how to find and fund clinical rotations.
As a result of that, on this episode I invited Dr. Umair Elahi, a hospital medicine physician and previous graduate of Windsor University School Of Medicine, St. Kitts who is now board certified in Internal Medicine. As a student, Dr. Elahi rotated through the Chicago area and personally experienced the pain of seeking out high quality rotations. His mother, also a practicing ER and primary care physician and preceptor for medical students also battled with the opportunistic nature of the foreign medical education "system" and how they unfairly treated attending physicians and IMG's alike.
So, what did Dr. Elahi do?
He partnered up with 2 other colleagues to create what I call, "the UBER for clinical rotations". I invited them to sponsor this episode so you can learn how they are outing the old and ushering in a new way of obtaining rotations that favors the student. USDoctor.co is a one-stop solution for healthcare professionals. The network holds top-tiered talent from around the globe; while providing you accessibility, streamlined solutions, speedy processes all on one platform. They provide you the technology to bring all healthcare professionals together so IMG's can pick and choose with whom to work with based on their preferences.
Listen to this episode to learn how Dr. Elahi is helping IMG’s find US Clinical Experience by redefining healthcare for international medical students.
Dr. Umair Elahi, MD, is a trained Internal Medicine physician, and a physician executive in healthcare management. Over the past 11 years, Dr. Elahi has taken care of tens of thousands of patients and their families. He has connected with each one on a personal level by gaining their trust, admiration, and respect by providing them the care and treatment, and most importantly providing them the knowledge, education, resources, and tools to better their health.
You can sign up today by using this link: https://usdoctors.co/
USDOCTORS.CO does just that and they are sponsoring this episode to share this great resource with you.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
I remember being evicted from my first apartment in Lexington, Kentucky.
With no credit as a non-US IMG,
I subleased an apartment from a friend…
Sounded like a good idea at first, right?
Talk about shame ...
Well, money problems happen to all of us, but as IMG’s, finding funding for personal expenses is almost unheard of.
So today on the podcast I introduce to you a PHYSICIAN LOAN for physicians by physicians!
What does this mean?
Doctors understand the debt student doctors and residents need to furnish different parts of their lives outside of student loans.
This is why I invited Dr. Zwade Marshall a Harvard train anesthesiologist and pain management specialist with origins in the country of Guyana. He is the co-founder of Doc2Doc Lending.
Doc2Doc lending helps you access the capital you need through a stress free application designed for doctors by doctors.
It is a simple application process which can be done online in under 4-5 mins.
Doc2Doc lending doesn’t only focus on your FICO score but also physician specific facts to determine your creditworthiness.
No cosigners needed, unique metrics, fixed interest rates and flexible terms makes it appealing for me to share with you!
Oh and did I mention, some visa (H1B, OPT) candidates are eligible as well!
Listen to today’s episode to learn more about this option for personal loans for IMG’s.
If you are interested in signing up, I am an affiliate with them and you can sign up using my referral link https://doc2doclending.com/drninalum/ as this episode is sponsored by them as well!
Oh and if you want to know what happened to me after I got evicted, it's a long story, but let’s just say motels became familiar home for at least 3 weeks of intern year.
Gosh, I have been through some stuff! Stay tuned for the rest of my story!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Do you ever feel like becoming a surgeon is impossible just because you went to a Caribbean medical school?
Or maybe that your need for visa sponsorship for residency makes it unheard of?
If you have any desire to become a surgeon ... then listen on.
Dr. Okoye is à Canadian- American who graduated from Ross University. She categorizes herself as a student who struggled through undergraduate education.
Yet, she vowed that she wasn’t going to allow herself struggle through medical school.
So what did she do?
She knew as an IMG, she had to strive to stand out! She incorporated early planning, setting short term goals and being focused and determined on her track.
In this episode you will learn:
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How to study for examinations to match into surgery or other competitive surgical specialties
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Who to get LOR’s from when applying into residency training
-
How to get an acting internship or sub-internship
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Why your medical school courses and exams matter a lot more than your anticipation for the USMLE’s
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How Dr. Okoye planned towards her application season
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How to set reachable goals for general surgery training
-
The 5-year vs the 7-year track for general surgery
-
How much research do you need to match into surgery?
To learn more, listen to the episodes at the links below.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap-podcast/id1490731292
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-podcast-GE0MMg
Dr. Okoye mentioned using FREIDA to search through programs - here is the link to start your own search FREIDA™ ACGME Residency & Fellowship Programs Databasehttps://freida.ama-assn.org/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
On this episode of IMG Roadmap, Dr. Jessica shares with us her journey to becoming a neurology specialist.
Despite the common misconceptions, neurology is actually an IMG friendly specialty with a broad spectrum of fellowship opportunities available. For Jessica, her interest in neurology began before she ever made it to medical school. Through her graduate degree Jessica participated in research and clinicals as an observer in neuro. This allowed her to gain experience and see a bit into the field before she ever learned the anatomy of the brain.
Once it came time to apply for medical school, some advised Jessica to wait due to academic struggles, but others encouraged her to consider Caribbean schools. After getting in, school was still a difficult challenge along with her STEP exams. Despite these challenges, Jessica was persistent and kept moving forward and is now a neurology resident in Kansas City.
For IMGs looking into neurology, don't shy away from it!
This specialty is 100% accessible and attainable if you put forth the work and have the desire to do so.
Dr. Jessica struggled to get clinicals within the neurology specialty, but highly recommends taking electives and any other opportunities to open doors to network within your desired specialty. When apply for residency, be sure to plan ahead and keep up your networking relationships over the years. It is wise to have recommendations from your specialty, but also from a psych specialty and attendees that can attest to your character as well as what kind of physician you will be as a whole.
For those struggling through STEP and other exams, remember to PRACTICE and familiarize yourself with the types of questions.
And for every IMG, when you find yourself struggling or overwhelmed, remember:
Your journey is not over because of a low score or failure. It is only over when you quit.
Persistence will break resistance!
If you would like to connect with Dr. Jessica, you can do so on Instagram @procrastinationmd
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
In this episode, I interview Chase Di Marco an international medical graduate with a slightly different yet impressive path.
He is still in the process of seeking out the residency position for himself, but in the process he has created resources for others who have faced similar challenges like him.
Chase has a background in educational psychology and he used his challenges with taking the USMLE to develop resources to help others who are preparing for these anxiety laden tests!
In this episode you will learn:
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How to study learning and other advanced techniques that help with test taking
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A podcast that teaches the psychology fo studying aka https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/the-medical-mnemonist-podcast/
- How to use spatial recognition in your studying to improve performance on the USMLE.
Listen to the entire episode for more.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Join me this week as we hear from Dr. Chinenye Onyemaechi. Dr. Chi is a board-certified psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the University of Sint Eustatius SOM in 2013 and completed training in both general and forensic psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center/Sheppard Pratt Health System. She is an avid solo traveler and adventurer, who merges her career in medicine with her passion for travel (and good coffee!) in her work as a full-time locum tenens (travel) physician.
In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of being a well-rounded applicant with experience in multiple specialties as well as the significance of finding mentors and networking through professional organizations.
If you would like to connect with Dr. Chi, you can reach out on Instagram @andchisays
Head over to the blog to read the full post.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
In this episode of the IMG Roadmap podcast, I speak with Dr. Joanna Schirtz, an IMG who specializes in Pediatric GI care. Dr. Schirtz shares with us her experience as a US IMG and the importance of building intentional relationships throughout every stage of her journey.
Regardless of experiences or the pathway of your journey, there are some valuable takeaways from my conversation with Joanna to keep in mind as you go through clerkships, residency, and fellowships.
- Take advantage of every opportunity, even if it means doing a clerkship or rotation in an area you aren’t as interested in. Every opportunity has the benefit of building important relationships.
- Don’t shy away from private practices just because they are smaller programs. Smaller programs may provide more opportunity for attendees to better understand your strengths and weaknesses resulting in stronger connections and recommendations.
- Don’t let stereotypical perceptions of IMGs stop you from going after your goals. Create opportunities for yourself when you see your window.
- If there are no regulations preventing you, follow up with all the programs you apply at - even if you don’t hear back from them first. This demonstrates persistence.
- Get involved during your fellowships and residencies to show your commitment to your area of interest. Find mentors, work hard to get good Step scores, and present at conventions or conferences.
If you would like to connect with Dr. Schirtz, follow her on Instagram @gastrodoc.md
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
This doctor matched with only one interview!
I know... interview season is upon us and many IMG's are worried about making a good impression.
Some are concerned about the chances of even getting invited.
Others are worried about how many programs to apply into?
What if you have a visa?
Today's episode, Dr. Nwaobi takes the time out to address some of these concerns.
He also shares:
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How he took all the USMLE's in 18 months
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How he matched as a visa applicant with only one interview
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As a visa applicant he explains how he leveraged his MPH experience during this process.
If you need any help preparing for your own interview check out my webinar where I teach you how to prepare for the residency interview by clicking here.
Listen to the full episode for more.
Samuel O. Nwaobi MD is a Non-US IMG and current Family Medicine Resident who took his USMLE boards while completing his MPH degree in the US. He highlights how important having a flawless interview is to an IMGs chances, especially with limited interview opportunities.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Today's podcast is a replay of the webinar I did with Truelearn last week. It was a 3 part series for IMG's with the final presentation focusing on frequently asked questions regarding residency application season. Listen to the entire webinar for more! You can catch the entire three part series on my blog: https://www.drninalum.com/the-encouraging-doc/truelearn
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Is general surgery friendly to IMG’s?
Let us look at some data.
In 2020:
- US IMGs took up 98 categorical surgery positions
- Non US IMGs took up 80 categorical surgery positions
- US IMGs took up 82 preliminary surgery positions &
- Non US IMGs took up 160 preliminary surgery positions
From India to China to Florida, today’s guest is a preliminary surgery resident who is now applying for a categorical position.
In this episode he tells us how and why he started off in a preliminary position. He also shares the difference between categorical vs. prelim programs as well as his clinical curriculum and plans. You will also learn about his study strategies for the USMLE.
Dr. Chauhan breaks down the process of applying into general surgery residency as an IMG. You can find him on instagram by clicking here .
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
After getting a 19 on the MCAT... twice, today's guest went through 2 rounds of rejections from US medical schools.
In the one interview she did get from a US medical school, she was told there was no way she would pass STEP 1 with her low MCAT score. She was also told that and no school would accept her because she wouldn’t match into residency.
Despite the odds, in August 2016 she started school at St. George’s University in the Caribbean. In July 2018, she obtained a 246 on the USMLE STEP 1 exam (take that suckers haha). In June 2020, she graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada.
Her story isn't over ...
In July 2020, she went on to start internal medicine residency at a university program in Philadelphia, PA.
As an IMG you are going to hear so many unfounded opinions about the path you have taken.
You cannot allow that to define you. You are the most common valuable determinant of your outcome!
As Dr. Kaitlyn McSurdy said "let your failures fuel your fire".
Listen to the full episode for all her advice for IMGs and read the entire blogpost on https://www.drninalum.com/blog
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Being an “OLD IMG” is no longer a valid excuse.
If you are still sitting down wondering if you should apply this September.
This is for you!
Do it. Go ahead and apply but do apply strategy.
Today’s guest, applied 9 years after medical school graduation.
She graduated in 2009
Yet, she matched in 2019.
Failing an exam is no longer an excuse.
Being an IMG is no longer an excuse.
Being an "old IMG" is no longer an excuse either...
Listen to the full episode.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Building a portfolio that speaks to "clinical interest in the specialty" is extremely important for IMGs! Why? Programs are evaluating all your experiences in addition to your score! Did you know that program directors “proof of clinical interest in the specialty” as a highly determining factor as to who gets invited for interview? This US-IMG graduated from medical school in India in 2018 and matched into pediatrics in 2020! She detailed her journey in a FREE ebook which you can download on my website today! Listen to her advice on The IMG Roadmap Podcast :
How to plan your examination timeline How to take your USMLE as a foreign student How she performed on the USMLE How she planned out clinical experiences as a foreign medical student.
Download her ebook from my blog by clicking here https://www.drninalum.com/the-encouraging-doc/i-just-matched-today-amp-here-is-how-i-did-it-dr-rutvi-shah
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Dr. Buck Parker, is a General & Trauma Surgeon at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. He is also a speaker, and a medical expert for the media.
Dr. Parker is from Jackson Wyoming and graduated from University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science. He then went on to medical school in Belize at St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine. He spent 6 years in General Surgery training at Henry Ford Hospital in downtown Detroit, Michigan where he had extensive training in Trauma Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Emergency Abdominal Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Endocrine Surgery, Surgical Oncology as well as Surgical Intensive Care. He also did a research fellowship in a joint program with Henry Ford and NASA studying diagnostic ultrasound and remote guidance in zero gravity environments. He has published several papers on these finding together with these institutions. While in Detroit he won multiple academic awards and was awarded the “Resident Teacher of the Year” from Wayne State Medical School in 2010.
He is also a self-proclaimed “tech-nerd” and entrepreneur since 2007 when he built a million-dollar web-business using internet marketing and Google search algorithms. Dr. Parker’s mission now is to harness his technological and medical knowledge to drive social change, while helping individuals unlock their personal greatness.
In 2015 he was a castaway and medical expert on the NBC and Bear Grylls Reality TV Series “The Island”. This show cast 14 strangers away on deserted island for 28 days with no food, water and limited supplies. The show is currently available on Hulu and Amazon.
In his spare time Dr. Parker is an avid skier and enjoys exploring the mountains in all seasons. He enjoys traveling all over the world to experience different cultures. He also loves spending time with his dog “Hanky” as well as very wild and fun Italian family including his nieces and nephews who live in Jackson Hole. His biggest aspiration is to create a free medical school online for students in 3rd world countries.
(Oh and he likes taking goofy pictures for his Instagram).
You can check out his website by clicking here.
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Today’s guest is a newly minted family medicine resident.
She is a US-IMG who attended medical school in Cuba and graduated in 2007!
Yes… she only just matched in 2020!
I know what you’re thinking: 13 years after graduation!
Many will call Dr. Kenya an “old IMG” because it has been several years since she graduated, but in this episode she is showing you HOW she did this!
In this episode, you will also learn:
- How Dr. Kenya matched on 3rd application attempt after 2 cycles of not matching! (you read that right - she was determined)
- Dr. Kenya’s advice for mothers dealing with mommy guilt and other parenting concerns while on this IMG path.
- Perspective on working as a medical scribe, medical assistant and other clinical jobs while waiting to match into residency.
- How to continue on this path even after tragedy (like she she did after losing her father)
This is one of my favorites yet because it is packed with pearls for every IMG who feels non-traditional and also has practical advice that every IMG needs to learn.
Check out her message to you below:
“I am a U.S. born, bilingual (English and Spanish), International Medical Graduate from the Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba. I received a B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up in a military family, my upbringing was seasoned with cultural diversity. I am married with three beautiful children. I worked to help support my family, while studying for the USMLEs. My journey has been full of adversity including the tragic death of my father but despite all the odds I matched into Family Medicine and I share my journey experience to inspire others. “
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The IMG Roadmap bootcamp (IMG ROADMAP COURSE) is coming back for phase 2! This will be the last cycle of the IMG Roadmap course for 2020. Click HERE to sign up right now as doors close on July 11th 2020!
One of the perils of attending a Caribbean medical school is the push to match into primary care. Now, as a primary care physician myself, there is nothing wrong with my specialty. But, not every IMG wants to or desires to help mankind via this phenomenal specialty of mine. Many have different goals. Yet some are advised by " medical residency mentors" to stay away from surgical subspecialties for several reasons. The main factor being that, most Caribbean schools want to match all their graduates. This simply makes them look good. I mean, who does not like a 100% match rate! It screams success.
But the true question is; what is collective success if it does not resonate with your definition of the same? You should define that for yourself. The school you graduate from does not get to do that for you!
Dr. Hasnie was set on pursuing ENT from the very beginning. Though she attended a small Caribbean medical school in Anguilla, she ensured that her experiences in medical school were NOT in proportion to what would be expected of her. She compensated for what will be looked down on by programs and chose to defeat a mediocre stereotype. She literally went for her specific goals!
In this episode, she shares exactly how she matched into ENT and her personal roadmap, even as a graduate of a Caribbean Medical School. You can find her on instagram at this link https://www.instagram.com/kainaah_/
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The IMG Roadmap bootcamp is coming back for phase 2! This will be the last cycle of the IMG Roadmap course for 2020. Click HERE to sign up right now as doors close on July 11th 2020!
Dr. Khan is a pediatric anesthesiologist from Pakistan who trained in Arkansas (Anesthesiology residency) and in Texas (pediatric anesthesiology fellowship). She is motivated, determined and focused. Her advice comes from her experience as an academician and as mentor to students, residents and fellows. In this episode you will learn about her strategies to match into anesthesia despite failing step 2 CS on first attempt. She also shares the mistakes she made and how she overcame them. As a recent blogger you can find her on instagram HERE @sabina.ali.khan.md and on her blog https://sabinaalikhan.wordpress.com/.
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Dr Christina Dowell is an ophthalmology resident. She is a native of the Island of Barbados. In this episode she shares how she got to match into a competitive specialty even as an international medical graduate. You will learn deep insight on strategies IMGs can use even when the odds are stacked against them. She sheds light on why IMGs should laser focus on their individual paths and how mentorship and sponsorship is an invaluable portion of success. Listen to this episode for more. You can follow her on instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.bajanbeauty_fit/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
There are very few female physicians who are as open as today’s guest.
Despite always wanting to be a Pathologist she was “coerced” into Internal Medicine.
Unfortunately most Caribbean medical students will be “advised” to choose a relatively “easier-to-match-into” specialty based on what I refer to as in “insecure advice”. The availability of more IM programs across the country makes for more open positions for IMGs.
Now, IM is a great specialty. I would know. I practice hospital medicine as a board certified family physician. But not everyone loves IM and not every IMG should be an internist or a family physician.
Dr. West shares her love for pathology and how an uncomfortable situation got her out from a comfortable place to seek her dream in pathology against all odds.
She started out PGY-1 in Internal Medicine after 13 interviews but only matched via the NRMP’s Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program.
After a horrific experience with a co-worker she resigned from the Internal Medicine program to pursue her true passion in Pathology.
She is the definition of courageous, bold and beautiful! This is the vivacious Dr. West!
Dr. Michelle West is a graduate of the Medical University of the Americas. She completed a Master's Degree in Public Health from Walden University, her undergraduate degree was obtained from Farmingdale State College. She is also a mother of three beautiful children who is thriving through a recent divorce.
Dr. West can be found on instagram at @docbarbiemd. She started a website to help others manage to maintain academic success, while having a family and also enduring some personal challenges along the way. She discuss the many facets of life, as well as, hobbies and interests.
Leave a review, subscribe and share with your friends.
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A force to be reckoned with!! Pull up a chair, this is about to be a TED talk.
An incoming intern physician at Baylor University in Houston TX, founder of @doctorsmessage ; a platform that motivates young men into careers in medicine and beyond, Dr. Nweke is a multifaceted IMG who graduated from St. George's University.
After starting out with a love for orthopedics, he pursued it relentlessly, put in the work, even scored a 241, but did not quite get what he wanted with Orthopedics on his first attempt.
As a motivational speaker, he applied his own quote into action "It's not about what it looks like, it's about what it feels like!".
Despite losing his dad during medical school Dr. Nweke did not give up!
As an entertainer with agile dance moves, he continued to forge forward to create a new desire for Physiatry (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) and now is preparing to join the workforce doing work with his hands!
If you are wondering what PM&R, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as Physiatry, is a branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities.
In this episode, you will learn about:
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His Caribbean medical school education at St. George's University
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How to pivot, especially when you have to change specialty interests as a medical graduate
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His hustle into orthopedics and what you can learn from it
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How he got quality letters of recommendations
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How he leveraged 2 gap years after medical school to continue to work in clinically relevant fields
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How his extracurricular interests merged well with where he is today
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How he turned disappointment into joy and how you can do the same!
Listen to this episode for motivation, inspiration and overall guidance.
You can find him on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/dr_onyemmeme_md/
His youtube channel can be found here.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
USMLE step 2 CS has been suspended for 12-18 months.
This means anyone who was scheduled to take it this year is no longer able to do so!
But this isn't news to you because if you have been alive in 2020, CHANGE is the new CONSTANT in all our lives.
Life has never been more uncertain as it is now with this pandemic.
When dealing with test taking anxiety, uncertainty is the last thing anyone needs to perfect their medical success story in America.
So, if there is any way to alleviate some of the questions you have, I am here to do that.
After combing through the ECFMG and USMLE websites, here is what I can say about the changes with USMLE step 2 CS which we DID NOT see coming!
In this episode I share:
- My perspective on how I think USMLE step 2 CS being postponed will affect IMGs.
Also, if you are interested in getting on the waitlist for my next LIVE IMG Roadmap Course, then click HERE RIGHT NOW AND JOIN THE WAITLIST!
Listen for more and if you are not yet subscribed to the blog, do so at www.drninalum.com and follow me on instagram @drninalum.
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Wyncel Chan, is currently a 3rd year Pediatric Resident in Flint, Michigan. She is originally from Vancouver, Canada and went to Saba University in the Caribbean to complete medical school. For the past 5 years her passion has been to empower those in medicine to be well in mind, body and soul. She delights in this especially as we are more focused on helping others before ourselves. She has always loved the world of Pediatrics and is excited to embark on her newest chapter as a General Pediatrician in Indiana. She is on instagram @wjoy.fit.md
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As a current medical student in India, Manik has never travelled to the US but he is actively preparing to apply into US residency. He even studied for the USMLE without a review course or other help. Now you may think Oh he is a genius, blah blah, blah. But he came on today's episode to share how he has never been a genius but he just figured out how to prepare for a standardized American test!
What I admire about Manik is his sense of direction and personal fortitude. You can hear it in his voice as he tells us exactly how he studied in this episode. He was always drawn to Psychiatry, and is looking forward to completing residency training in the field.
In this episode, Manik lays out:
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The difference between active and passive learning
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How to prepare for the USMLE outside of the US
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How to approach analyzing questions for standardized tests such as the USMLE
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How elimination helps with standardized test taking.
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How he learned to adapt to the US way of testing even while studying medicine outside the US.
You can find him on Instagram at this handle : the_zen_of_cool . You can also find him youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/ZenOfUSMLE . His youtube video of the same title already had 36, 000 view in under a month. You definitely know you want to grasp this knowledge like 36K other IMGs have!
Listen today!
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Dr. Maria Aramburu de la Guardia, MD, MPH, FAAP is the Medical Director for the School Based Health Center at Roosevelt Senior High School in Washington DC which is part of Medstar Georgetown University Hospital Division of Community Pediatrics.
Dr Aramburu is currently a full-time pediatrician and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for Georgetown Pediatrics in Washington DC serving in clinical, research academic and teaching capacity.
Dr Aramburu has dedicated her years in practice to clinical work and leadership in underserved areas of the District of Columbia for more than 7 years through the programs of the Division of Community Pediatrics at Georgetown Hospital.
Dr. Aramburu has a subspecialty in Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy and a master’s in public health from the George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, with an emphasis on Global Health, Pediatric Nutrition and Adolescent Health. She completed her General Pediatrics training at Medstar Georgetown in 2012.
She has been distinguished with the Adolescent Medicine Award from the Society of Adolescent Health & Medicine, the physician of the year award for Children’s National DC MAP program and the Top Doctors Washingtonian recognition 2 years in a row.
In her role as Medical Director she has established protocols and partnerships to better serve vulnerable population including immigrant Latinos which occupy 60% of the student population at Roosevelt. Her interests include mental health in teens, trauma informed care, obesity management and motivational interviewing. Her research interests are focused on the effects trauma in immigrant youth.
The goal of her social media platform is to spread evidence-based information in Pediatrics as well as to be partner in health and wellness for parents and caregivers. She shares her experiences as a mom of 2 boys, her parenting journey as well as health topics related to children and teens.
You can read her full interview on the website at https://drninalum.com/the-encouraging-doc/2019/05/11/the-img-roadmap-series-9-dr-aramburu
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Want to know how this IMG matched after a 4 years of trying?
Or maybe how she is pruning herself to begin pediatric cardiology fellowship?
Then listen to this episode.
Here is more about her:
Annie Tedga, MD is a PGY 3 Pediatric Resident in Flint, Michigan and future Pediatric Cardiology Fellow. Born and bred in Cameroon (in Central Africa), she is happily married with a beautiful 8-month-old son. Dr Tedga moved to the US in 2002 and graduated from the University of Maryland (UMBC) with a BS in Biological Sciences. She then matriculated at the American University of the Caribbean in Sint Maarten and later completed her clerkships in the East Coast. She graduated in 2011 and moved back home as a General Practitioner where her interest in Cardiology was birthed. Determined to pursue a career in Pediatrics, she returned to the US in 2015 and matched into residency. She then matched into a Pediatric Cardiology fellowship at Louisiana State University (LSU) where she will be spending the next phase of her career. Dr Tedga is an advocate for breastfeeding and physician wellness, but her favorite past-time is spending time with her son.
You can find her on Instagram @annie_tedga.
For more on this episode check out drninalum.com
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If you as an IMG have ever started out in one specialty and wondered if/how you can switch out to another, then today's guest can help reassure you with her story.
Adjoa B. Duker, MD, MPH, CPLC, is a Family Physician and Life Coach with a passion for wellness, and a self-care champion.
A native New Yorker with Ghanaian heritage, Dr. Duker attended the University of Virginia, where she was a Sociology major. She then attended Howard University and completed a Post Baccalaureate Pre Med program and then studied Nutritional Sciences. She then attended Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica and completed clinical rotations at various NYC and east coast hospitals.
Dr. Duker graduated in 2002 and then completed her intern year in Pediatrics. She subsequently transferred into a Family Medicine residency at North Shore Glen Cove in NY, graduating in 2006. Her interest in women's health then led her to enroll in a reproductive health, Family Planning fellowship at Einstein, while working on her MPH at Columbia University. Dr Duker’s past research activities included evaluating contraception continuation in teens.
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Dr. Blocker is a Psychiatry Resident at Howard University Hospital and a graduate of American University of Integrative Sciences School of Medicine. As a native Washingtonian who was raised by not only her family but also her community, she is using her platform to pay it forward by mentoring youth and remaining involved in community service activities around the city. She plans to use the knowledge she has garnered throughout the years to educate African Americans on the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellness.
You can find her on Instagram @drjaymaxine!
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Dr. Huda Arif grew up in Dubai, UAE and went on to medical school at Fatimah Jinnah Medical school in Lahore, Pakistan.
Residency: Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago
Fellowship: Loyola University Hospital, Maywood IL
She currently practices as a Nephrologist in Dallas with @DallasRenalGroup one of the leading nephrology practices in DFW metroplex with over 40+ nephrologists.
When she is not fixing broken kidneys she is radio show host @doctalklive, a health based show broadcasting weekly on doctalklive fb page, iheartradio, spotify and itunes. Videos also posted on the youtube channel as well.
She has a strong business acumen so she serves as a coach at NBLU (Nephrology Businesses Leadership University ) an annual event organized by the Dallas Renal Group practice. This event focuses on training Nephrology fellows on how to find a job which suits their needs, enhance their leadership skills and increase their understanding of nephrology practice in the outside world. They also offer coaching on the job interview process.
You can find her on Instagram @huda_arifmd
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You have probably heard me talk about this before. But in this episode you will find all your answers. You can also visit us at imgroadmap.com/p/2020 to read the FAQs .
Before you do that, read the opinion of these doctors below:
Dr. Rosemary says: "I am so grateful for Dr. Lum. I met her last year, couple months before I started applying for residency and she was Godsend because I had soooo many questions then. As busy as she is, she didn't even flinched and immediately took me under her wing. A month after I met her, I enrolled in her "IMG Roadmap" course. She lays out everything for you to successfully Match: Steps studying, the "DOs" and DON'Ts" when applying for residency, how to write a compelling personal statement, etc etc. Also, she has a self-paced portion of the course in addition to the one-on-one coaching. I am so glad that I took the course because my ERAS application looked at least twice better at the end of it. She so patiently helped me with my interview skills with her great tips and critical advice, which helped me build my confidence for the interviews. Suffice to say that I successfully matched at my #1 choice Internal Medicine Program this March 2020! Please if you are an IMG, do yourself a favor and signup already; you will not regret it!!! At any point of your medical school journey, you will definitely find it beneficial."
Dr. B "Dr. Nina Lum is a great instructor. She was organized, her delivery was timely and she had a clear understanding of the process from being an IMG to a resident of your choice. The information she shared was invaluable. Thank you team imgroadmap!"
You can learn more at imgroadmap.com/p/2020
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Dr. Mikhael is a Canadian citizen who graduated from Saba University School of Medicine (located on the island of Saba). She graduated in 2014 and proceeded into OBGYN residency at Providence Hospital/Michigan State University in Southfield MI. She is now training in a very competitive specialty: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Medical College of Georgia as the only IMG fellow at the institution in the department of OBGYN.
In this episode you will learn about her experience with the J-1 visa thus far.
You will also get a glimpse of what it took for her to get to where she is today despite visa and other challenges.
You can find her full interview on the IMG Roadmap Series by clicking HERE
She shares about her scores, how she prepared for the tests, how she matched into OBGYN and so much more.
Listen today on the IMG Roadmap Podcast.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
If you have ever wondered about how a Family Medicine Physician can specialize or obtain additional certification.
Look no further. Dr Tallah tells us how she is charting a different terrain for herself as an IMG in fellowship.
Clarisse Tallah MD, was born and raised in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, Africa and immigrated to the United States in 2006. She later on completed an undergraduate Biomedical Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tallah graduated cum laude from Saint George’s University School of Medicine, St. George’s Grenada through the Keith B. Taylor Global Scholars Program based in Northumbria University, New Castle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Dr. Tallah trained at the family medicine residency program in New York University Langone Brooklyn during which she received a recognition for scholarly activity. She is the co-author of 4 research articles and contributed an article in the New York State Family Physician.
She is currently pursuing a maternity care fellowship at the Landmark Medical Center, Woonsocket, Rhode Island while also pursuing a Master’s degree in public health from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. She hopes to join the fight in decreasing the ever growing maternal mortality related to child birth.
In this episode she describes her journey as a non-US IMG. She also shares on how she obtained a National Interest Waiver on her own. She also gives us advice on how to obtain research experience as an IMG and how this helped her IMG journey.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Tallah is a prolific salsa dancer with occasional indulgence in Tango and Hustle. She also enjoys traveling the world to experience different cultures.
To order a copy of the book I wrote with Dr Tallah visit: https://doctorlum-llc.square.site/
FOR MORE EPISODES VISIT WWW.DRNINALUM.COM
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This IMG is successfully training in Emergency Medicine residency but she heard “NO” several times before she got to where she is today.
I “felt” her story deep inside my heart. I could see the resilience and strength she has built through this process.
After not being able to match on the first attempt, she did not give up. Observership, clerkships … you name it. She did it.
Yet nothing was happening.
She loved EM so much that she was ready to give up the road to residency in order to apply into nursing school just so that she could stay and work in the emergency department as an ED nurse!
If that is not determination to be in the ER, then I must not know what is.
Just before she gave up, this door opened for her and now she is where she believes she is meant to be!
In today’s podcast she also insist on why US citizens should avoid the stress of going to the Caribbean especially if they are not resilient enough to put in the work it requires to network and make this path work for one’s self.
Visit my website for more IMG information www.drninalum.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Dr. Orajiaka shares how you can overcome the fear of being an "old grad" as an IMG by using your mindset. She is an American board certified Pediatrician with love for Emergency Medicine and is rocking the ER life in a pretty busy children’s Emergency room in Ohio.
She prides herself in being a wife and mother of 3 wonderful kids. Dr. Orajiaka grew up in Nigeria and completed medical school there. She fell in love with New York City when she moved to the US for a few years to obtain a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University New York.
After obtaining her MPH degree she then moved back to Nigeria, worked on her portfolio and ultimately returned to New York city for Pediatrics Residency at the Columbia University Medical Center affiliation at Harlem Hospital.
Besides being an outstanding physician in the peds ED, she is a blogger on https://drnkeiru.com/ and a health educator on Instagram where you can fine her at @dr_norajiaka.
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Did you know that in 2018, 33 IMGs applied into Urology and 8 of them matched?
This created a match rate of 24% for IMGs! You can find full stats on the American Urological Association website HERE.
Before you run off saying “Nah Dr. Lum, that's too slim of a chance” … Dr. Milhouse thinks this is good news for IMGs because Urology is generally a very small sub-specialized and closed off field, so in her books the stats are fair for the competitive IMG!
In this episode she share details on:
- The Urology match (which is different from the usual NRMP match)
- How to match urology (like she did)
- Her perspective of IMGs in urology (she also dishes out that her co-resident was an IMG).
As you know, once you start residency a majority of your preceptors and attending physicians will be US graduates. Thus, it is fitting that we entertain non-IMGs on the podcast for several reasons:
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During the match process the US graduate or US student is our major competition (not in a bad way but in a statistical manner).
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During our interview process we are more likely going to encounter program directors, faculty etc who were previous US graduates.
Let’s just call this IMG Roadmap Series # 27 with Dr Fenwa Milhouse.
If you enjoy this episode, please rate, comment and subscribe to this podcast. You can also find me (Dr. Lum) at drninalum.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Today, Dr. Lum shares the 4 things she did WRONG in medical school. She believes avoiding these missteps will highly increase your chance of receiving more interview invitations! She shares practical ways you as an international medical student or graduate can avoid them. As a special bonus to the readers and listeners, she added a 5th bonus point in a detailed blog post that is available RIGHT NOW on her blog drninalum.com. You can read all 5 points by clicking here.
If you enjoy this episode, please rate, comment and subscribe to the podcast and the blog.
Next week, the interview series returns with a surgical specialist offering IMGs remarkable advice!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
My Top 5 Tips for Creating Your ROL (Rank Order List)
Match day is slowly creeping closer. the thought of not matching terrifies you then I want you to put serious consideration into how you create your rank order list.
In this episode, I share the top evidence backed resources on how to create a rank order list. The key point here are:
- Tap into mutual like-ability from interview day and post interview communication
- Only rank programs that you interviewed at (unless they tell you otherwise)
- Rank according to where you want to go
- Exercise emotional intelligence in this process
- Avoid last minute changes to your list
Now I am directing you to this episode I recorded in 2020 so the dates are not applicable. The 2021 deadline is March 3rd 2021. You can find the updated dates for 2021 by clicking HERE.
Once you listen if you too have a short ROL I aspire that after you listen to my story you build the faith you need to survive these next few weeks before match day.
Below I have provided you with a few links and websites as to where you can learn more about the match algorithm. You should definitely start with the free resources on the NRMP's (National Resident Match Program) youtube page which has tons of graphics and easy to understand videos that explain the algorithm.
To Listen to this Episode, check it out where ever you listen to your favorite stories such as on Apple and Spotify. (Click on these words to open the episode right now)
This post is sponsored by the only coaching program by an IMG for an IMG seeking to match into US residency. The IMG Roadmap is an annual course that launches each Spring to help other international medical students and graduates achieve their US doctor goals. Created by Dr. Lum, it will give you practical tools to win this journey! COMING SOON> Sign up to learn more by CLICKING HERE.
Other Helpful Links
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NRMP Youtube page link : https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalResidentMatchingProgram
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Understanding the Interview and Ranking Behaviors of Unmatched International Medical Students and Graduates in the 2013 Main Residency Match. J Grad Med Educ. 2015;7(4):610–616. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-14-00742.1. Liang M, Curtin LS, Signer MM, Savoia MC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675419/
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Create your own medical success story with the IMG Roadmap Course. The 2021 session launches this Spring 2021 at drninalum.com/courses . Sign up for updates. Limited spots available
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support
Dr. Hina is a an Obstetrician/Gynecologist robotic surgeon by training. She is originally from Pakistan and achieved this level of success even as a non US-International Medical Graduate (IMG). She is also an entrepreneur who has achieved financial independence which allows her to practice medicine on her own terms! She is extremely passionate about her faith and family. She runs a vibrant instagram page (@storyofstyle) where influences people with her stories on medicine, motherhood, home decor, lifestyle, fashion and her faith! Dr. Cheema is also a philanthropist who has traveled on medical missions to Africa and in her locality in the Texas area.
You can find her at storyofstyle.com where she emphasizes motivation and success through self-development and character building. She uses her personal experiences in medicine, fashion, style, home decor, motherhood, marriage, family, travel, etc to show us what is possible with belief. Follow her journey, but I am just delighted to share her top advice for IMG's here !
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DR. STANLEY OGU is a Nigerian born, international medical graduate turned board certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Stanley Ogu is a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon with Lexington Plastic Surgeons in Sugar Land, Texas. He specializes in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast and body; including gluteal augmentation (Brazilian Butt Lift), breast augmentation, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), post-bariatric body contouring and gender-affirmation top surgery. He is a candidate member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Ogu is of Nigerian heritage, and relocated to the Sugar Land area with his family after obtaining his medical degree from the University of Lagos, as both a Federal Government and Shell Petroleum academic merit scholar. He received board certification by the American Board of Surgery, after completion of a General Surgery residency at Easton Hospital – Drexel University College of Medicine in Pennsylvania, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Ogu subsequently completed a very competitive and rigorous three-year fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at one of the busiest programs in the nation – Indiana University School of Medicine, where he received advanced training in cutting-edge aesthetic and reconstructive surgery techniques, as well as transgender surgery.
Dr. Ogu was the recipient of numerous honors throughout the course of his training including awards for the Best In-service Training Exam Score (99 percentile), Most Outstanding Resident Award (given to the best all-round resident) and Resident Teacher of the Year (chosen by medical students for excellence in teaching), to mention a few. He has presented original papers at both regional and national meetings, including at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is also well published in reputable medical journals, including Plastic Surgery and Modern Techniques, American Surgeon, Oxford Academic Journal and Drexel Medical Journal.
Dr. Ogu is well liked by his patients for his warm and caring personality, as well as his attention to detail. He is committed to helping patients achieve their unique desired results and become the best version of themselves, through both surgical and non-surgical techniques. He is also passionate about charity work and has had extensive volunteer experience, providing medically disadvantaged communities with free pediatric, burn and breast reconstructive surgery, on mission trips to El Salvador and Nigeria. In his free time, he enjoys mentoring the youth in the community, fitness, soccer and spending time with his beautiful family.
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Kimberly M. Brown, MD, MPH is a board-certified emergency physician and public health professional with a passion for health education and disease prevention. She is also the best-selling author of It’s an Emergency!: Understanding the What, How and Why of Your ER Visit, is a speaker and media personality featured onHealth.com, Doximity, the Women in White Coats blog and podcast, and Medical Economics.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she left home to attend Fisk University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She completed a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Public Health Management and Policy from the University of Florida. In 2014, she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine. She completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Brown currently lives, works, and plays in Memphis. She does her best writing in her bed, snuggled up under the covers and listening to podcasts. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching the Real Housewives, kickboxing, and spending time with her friends.
www.drkimberlyb.com
Facebook.com/drkimberlyb
Instagram: @drkimberlyb
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Dr. Hakman is an Emergency Medicine (EM) resident physician in the Michigan area. He is a graduate of American University of the Caribbean located on the beautiful island of Sint Marteen. Today he shares his journey into Emergency Medicine and what he did to stand out from the competition. Of special interest, he shares one way that IMG's can obtain some scholarly activity. He encourages IMG's to learn more about this at https://www.statpearls.com/. He also wants IMG's to put in twice the work required and to be bold to ask for favors. Learn more when you listen today. If you enjoy this episode please leave a review of the podcast today! Also subscribe to the blog drninalum.com and share with all other IMG's you know! Thank you for listening.
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Dr. Khan is a Family Medicine resident physician from Pakistan by way of the United Arab Emirates. Like myself, her path into medicine in America was tortuous. From Seychelles to the Caribbean she is now completing Family Medicine training somewhere in New York State. As an instagram blogger and avid traveler she also inspires and motivates other IMG's on her platform. You can find her on instagram @primarycaredoc. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave use a review on Apple and share it with all the IMG's you know!
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Dr. Raissa Fobi is board certified in pediatrics and neonatology and a practicing physician in Washington State. She is a non-US IMG (International Medical Graduate) from the University of Ghana. In 2014, she completed residency at Harlem Hospital Center/Columbia Medical Center. In this episode she describes her pathway from South Africa to Ghana and finally to New York while sharing strategic pieces that culminated to her success today! She is brilliant, talented and one secret I have to share is that she is my dear friend who also just happens to be from Cameroon too! On October 4th 2019, we co-authored the best selling book "Beyond Challenges: Survival Stories of African Immigrant Physicians on Love, Life and the Practice of Medicine". This book is now available for sale on www.drninalum.com for just $15.99. After this episode you may want to read more about her! She blogs with her mother (an ophthalmologist) on www.thefobidoctors.com .
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ninalum/support