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!

*****

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 on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠Youtube Music⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.⁠

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!

*****

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, ⁠⁠⁠  Youtube Music and ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.

Quick Pause!

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, ⁠YouTube Music and⁠ Spotify.⁠

Click⁠ here⁠ to join the 2024 cohort of the IMG Roadmap course – the boost you need on your IMG journey!

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!

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:
* How to study for examinations to match into surgery or other competitive surgical specialties
* Who to get LOR’s from when applying into residency training
* How to get an acting internship or sub-internship
* Why your medical school courses and exams matter a lot more than your anticipation for the USMLE’s
* How Dr. Okoye planned towards her application season
* 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 Database<https://freida.ama-assn.org/>

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

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:

- How to study learning and other advanced techniques that help with test taking

• 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.

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.

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

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:

- How he took all the USMLE's in 18 months

- How he matched as a visa applicant with only one interview

- 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.

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

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 .

 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

Quick Pause!

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!

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. 

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

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.

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. “

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_/

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/. 

 

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/

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.

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:

- His Caribbean medical school education at St. George's University
- How to pivot, especially when you have to change specialty interests as a medical graduate
- His hustle into orthopedics and what you can learn from it
- How he got quality letters of recommendations
- How he leveraged 2 gap years after medical school to continue to work  in clinically relevant fields
- How his extracurricular interests merged well with where he is today
- 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. 

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.

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

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:

1. The difference between active and passive learning

2. How to prepare for the USMLE outside of the US

3. How to approach  analyzing  questions for standardized tests such as the USMLE

4. How elimination helps with standardized test taking.

5. 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!

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

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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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*****

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

• Persistence, research, and strategic networking as key strategies

• Internal challenges IMGs may face during the residency process:

• Impostor syndrome and lack of adaptability

• Strategies for building a strong foundation, developing resilience, seeking mentorship, and embracing transferable skills

• 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

• Active participation in research elevates applications and sets IMGs apart from competitors

• 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

• Addresses common pitfalls and provides tools for developing a competitive application

• 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.

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

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. 

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:

1. During the match process the US graduate or US student is our major competition (not in a bad way but in a statistical manner).

2. 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

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!

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:

1. Tap into mutual like-ability from interview day and post interview communication
   
2. Only rank programs that you interviewed at (unless they tell you otherwise)
   
3. Rank according to where you want to go
   
4. Exercise emotional intelligence in this process
   
5. 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

- NRMP Youtube page link : https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalResidentMatchingProgram

- 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/

- 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

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. 

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 on Health.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

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.

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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*****

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:

• 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

• 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

• Navigating the Art of Medicine

  • 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

• Dr. Asim's invaluable tips for success:

  • 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.

As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.

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 . 

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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:

1. Application now limited to 10 experiences, emphasizing relevance.
2. Highlight your top three most meaningful experiences to showcase unique insights.
3. Collect more descriptive information about experiences to provide context.
4. 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.

Quick Pause!

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.

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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 "IMGROADMAP10" at check out to get started with Match A Resident and increase your chances of success in the match process!

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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.

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!

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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.

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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.