November 27, 2018
Introducing Journeys in Medicine – An ECFMG Blog
ECFMG serves as the sole sponsor for nearly 11,000 foreign national physicians participating in the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Program to train in U.S. programs of graduate medical education. During their time in the United States, exchange visitor physicians engage in medical specialty and subspecialty training at institutions accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and have opportunities to both share their cultures and learn about the people and places of the United States. ECFMG has developed Journeys in Medicine as a forum for these current and alumni exchange visitor physicians to share their experiences in their own words. In addition, Journeys in Medicine will highlight training programs that host exchange visitor physicians. By sharing these stories, ECFMG hopes that readers will gain insight into the important impact exchange visitor physicians have on health care both in the United States and in their home countries.
We encourage you to explore the stories now available on Journeys in Medicine at https://www.ecfmg.org/journeysinmedicine/ (excerpts included below). Follow @ECFMG_J1 on Twitter to find out when new stories publish and about upcoming content. Please share this information with your friends and colleagues who are interested in graduate medical education.
How a Personal Experience Transformed My Professional Perspective
By Tracy Wallowicz
Director, ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program and Compliance
Welcome to Journeys in Medicine. ECFMG is thrilled to launch this new blog developed to profile the physicians, institutions, and experiences behind our Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program (EVSP). With each post, Journeys in Medicine will highlight the accomplishments and contributions of a current or former exchange visitor participant and/or feature a host teaching hospital that is taking a unique approach to resident education resulting in an enhanced experience for exchange visitor (EV) physicians. Read more »
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Experience
By Mohamed Faris, MD
When I look back at the past couple of years that I’ve spent as an internal medicine resident in the US, the major feeling is an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. It is not an easy accomplishment to come to a new land to embark on a 3-year journey (more for others) of learning and growing. What made this journey easier is the friendliness and acceptance of everybody here. Read more »
Johns Hopkins Wellness Initiatives Promote Happy, Healthy Residents
By Laura A Hanyok, MD
Assistant Dean, Johns Hopkins Graduate Medical Education Office
Imagine being a new intern at Johns Hopkins. You have graduated from an international medical school and are eager to start your career as a physician by pursuing leading-edge graduate medical training in the United States. You are aware of the stresses of residency and are mindful of the need to prioritize your well-being during your years of training. Fortunately, you know that Johns Hopkins has taken a progressive approach to promoting clinician well-being in their training program. Over the next year you see these initiatives in action. Read more »
In the News
A collection of news articles you may find of interest:
4 Findings on Physician Residents, Fellows
Becker’s Hospital Review, by Kelly Gooch, November 14, 2018
UMass Medical School Professors Illustrate Immigrant Journeys
Worcester Business Journal, by Grant Welker, November 15, 2018
Do you have information on research poster presentations, upcoming conferences, or other opportunities relevant to international medical graduates in the United States that you’d like to share? If so, send your information to [email protected].
