IMG Masterclass

Good bye!

E74: Reflections on COVID19 Version 2.0 in 2021

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 03:18:06 GMT

"IF YOU LOVE A HEALTHCARE WORKER, PRAY DAILY THAT GOD WILL RENEW THEIR PASSION, JOY, AND CONTENTMENT IN THEIR CALLING. BECAUSE WHILE THE WORLD FIGHTS OVER A SHOT, THE MEDICAL FIELD IS FIGHTING TO KEEP THEIR DESIRE TO SERVE"

And here I include the 2 statements made on social media that I have found moving and very appropriate for our current situation:

I'm vaccinated and, no, I don't know what's in it—neither this vaccine nor the ones I had as a child; or what’s in that Big Mac, that pumpkin-spice flavoring, or in hot dogs or chicken tenders; or what’s in other drugs used for other treatments … whether the treatment is for cancer, AIDS, or polyarthritis.

I don't actually know what's in Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other pain meds that almost everyone takes; I know it cures my headaches and my pain. Or what’s in cough medicine, that allergy nasal spray, insulin, or high blood pressure meds.

I also don't know what's in ink for tattoos, vaping cigs, or every ingredient in my soap, shampoo, or deodorants. Likewise, I don’t know what’s in lipstick.

I don’t know the long-term effect of cell phone use or whether or not that restaurant I just ate at REALLY used clean utensils, fresh foods, and whether the employees there washed their hands.

In short ...

There's a lot of things I don't know and never will.

I know one thing: life is short, concise. And I still want to do something with my life other than just going to work every day or staying locked in my home. I still want to travel and hug people without fear and experience more of my life "before.”

As a child and as an adult, I've been vaccinated for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, chickenpox, smallpox, and quite a few others (as an adult, I’ve been vaccinated for tetanus and hepatitis, and each fall, I get a flu shot that is less effective at preventing flu than the Covid vaccine is at preventing Covid-19). Yet, my parents and I trusted science and never had to suffer through or transmit any childhood diseases that used to kill children and adults.

I'm vaccinated, not to please the government but:

* to not die from Covid-19.
* to NOT clutter a hospital bed if I get sick.
* to hug my loved ones without fearing I may transmit a deadly virus to them.
* to not have to do PCR or antigenic tests to go to a concert, go to a restaurant, go on holidays, and many more things to come.
* to live my life.
* to have my kids/grandkids go back to school and play sports—safely.
* to make these days of Covid-19 become just an old memory.
* to protect us—all of us.

Finally, Dr. Jeffrey Dietzenbach, an Iowa Clinic general surgeon, wrote the following post last week, and his message is too good not to share.

"COVID observations from a general surgeon…

Full disclosure: this is my first Facebook post ever; I hope I’m doing this right! Also, I am not an expert on COVID-19 or infectious diseases.

This pandemic has been long, difficult, polarizing, historical, exasperating, and confusing. I can complain about it… but not that much. I have had no loved ones or close friends who have become extremely sick or died from this virus. I personally have not contracted this virus.

As a general surgeon, the only care I have had to administer to a COVID-positive patient is the occasional appendectomy or gallbladder removal. I’ve been lucky enough not to have to spend countless hours in the ICU managing ventilators and medical care. Those healthcare providers are the real heroes.

However, one thing that has really perplexed me throughout this whole pandemic is the lack of humility—namely, the lack of humility when it comes to expert opinion.

I like to travel. Do I get on the tarmac and inspect the plane's mechanics or discuss the flight plan with the pilot or tower? Nope. I’m not an expert in that. But, I have the humility and faith that those people are experts and will get me where I need to be safe.

I like a nice yard.

Do I tell my lawn care company how much nitrogen and weed control to use? Nope. I don’t have the time to devote to learn about that. I’ll leave it up to the lawn care expert.

I hope I never get sued. Would I defend myself in court with a total lack of legal knowledge? Nope. I’ll leave that up to the legal experts.

When my car needs to be fixed, do I tell the mechanic how to repair it? Nope. I know nothing about auto repair.

Do I walk around talking about COVID-19 and vaccinations and constantly posting about it? Nope, I’m not an infectious disease doctor or a pulmonologist/critical care doctor.

I get it. Frustration about closing schools and businesses, social distancing, limiting travel, using masks, etc., is understandable.

However, the benefits and philosophy behind some of these things are not black and white. The thing I don’t understand is this distrust of expert healthcare providers and lack of humility.

Biostatistics is not easy.

True research (not just looking through Google and social media) and reviewing data, studies, and articles is not easy.

Believe me, as a General Surgery Program Director; we hold six journal clubs a year reviewing the most recent surgical literature. I have the humility to know that I am not a statistician and by no means an expert in this field.

You can find an “expert” on COVID-19 anywhere. Online, at work, at the dinner table, on MSN or Fox News, especially social media. I find it interesting that there are many infectious disease specialists and pulmonologists across this planet. I don’t recall any of them suggesting anything counter to the most recent accepted best practices, based on the most updated information we had at that moment in time.

Yes, things change. The virus changes, data and statistics change, discoveries change, and new information emerges. One thing that doesn’t change is the expertise of scientists, infectious disease doctors, and pulmonologists. I’m a doctor, and I think I’m a pretty good one (one could even say an “expert” at surgery), but when it comes to my kids' health, I will follow my pediatrician’s recommendations.

Likewise, when it comes to a vaccine, I will follow the generally accepted recommendations by the EXPERTS.

And…when I start to see a brown spot on my lawn, I’m calling my lawn care guy.

Ask yourself how many times you put your life at risk by humbly and faithfully putting your trust in a person. Eating at a restaurant, walking over a grate on the sidewalk, taking an Uber, or for God’s sake, going on a carnival ride at the Iowa State Fair! This doesn’t make you a “sheeple.” This happens all the time, every day.

All I’m asking for is a little humility and trust, not in me or this post, but experts."

These are not my words, but I felt so identified by them that it was very hard not to share with you all!!!

Thanks for Listening,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

Episode # 73: Customer Satisfaction & Medical Care

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 19:15:21 GMT

EPISODE # 73

"Customer Satisfaction & Medical Care"

Today’s society increasingly demands transparency and access to information that allows for informed decision-making. The companies that created these surveys believe that by giving current and prospective patients and their families access to doctor ratings and comments, they gain additional insight into other patient interactions. As a result, they can make more informed decisions when choosing a health care provider.

These are examples of the questions, maybe not fully up to date, but will give you a hint into what you can expect on what will judge you daily (See attached Picture in the Box).

Customer Satisfaction Companies feel that access to patient satisfaction information allows the healthcare system to change policies, procedures, and communication techniques in their employees (Physicians, Nurses, Ancillary Staff, etc.) to ensure that they provide the best possible health care experience for our patients and families.

Customer Satisfaction, Verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and their implications with patient care are drastic and have implications in the work satisfaction, longevity, and even the stability of keeping your current job. Employers are even making decisions in hiring and firing, just based on the patient's perception of you and how "SATISFIED" they were with your care.

And trust me, "The customer is always right" - Sad but True. Well, guys, this is the name of the game, and as long as reimbursements percentages are based on customer satisfaction performance, these "judgment methods" won't be going away, not any time soon, at least not in my lifetime!

And don't forget to share, if you care and found it useful!

Best,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E72: "Medical Clearance" of the Psychiatric Patient in the USA

IMG Masterclass — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:13:08 GMT

Episode #72: Psychiatric Medical Clearance in the USA

As part of the emergency department (ED) evaluation of patients with psychiatric complaints, emergency physicians get asked to perform screening laboratory tests before admitting psychiatric patients, the value of which is questionable, and the evaluation of most patients presenting to the ED with a psychiatric chief complaint can be medically cleared for admission to a psychiatric facility by qualified physicians using an appropriate history and physical examination, including vital signs and an essential mental status examination.

We have proposed no need for routine medical screening laboratory tests based on current Evidenced Based Medicine (EBM) for years. Still, despite that, it has been ingrained in the institutional protocols that a certain amount of unnecessary testing must be done.

Despite the collegiate recommendations, still to this date, we do use an extensive battery of Laboratory testing (CBC, CMP, Pregnancy Test in all Women, UDS, UA, TSH, EtOH level, ASA/APAP Levels), driving up the cost of overall healthcare in America, without including other additional tests that might need to address their other chief complaints and the usage of ancillary Sonographic and Radiologic expensive workups (US / CTs / X-rays, etc.), some of them done due to fear for Medico-Legal liability or just due to protocols that have been implemented for decades that fall out of reasonable medical practice, and that to this day, remain to be part of the requirements for acceptance at long term psychiatric hospitals and mental healthcare-related facilities.

It remains a topic of enormous debate and an obvious source of financial waste. Yet, despite all this conflict, I do not see a deadline in which we can see ourselves caring for this vulnerable population anytime soon, at least to the remainder of my personal, professional medical career.

Take also into account that in the USA is not a rare occurrence to see the same patient in the ED several times a week, getting all these tests performed on them over and over, potentially contributing to morbidity, and why not, potential long term side effects, like the usage of ionizing radiation, like CTs, that has very well correlated with causing malignancies in human beings.

Having said all this, take a small dive into the topic, get acquainted and used to care and evaluate these patients in your medical wards and emergency departments thought your professional career. This topic was never taught to me as an FMG, and when I started my training in the USA, I didn't understand where this concept and process came to be!

Thanks for listening --- ONE MORE TIME !!!

Best to you all,

Your coach & mentor,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E71: All about Observerships / Clerkships / Shadowing / Rotations

IMG Masterclass — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:37:14 GMT

Episode #71 with Chase DiMarco

www.findarotation.com

FindARotation (FAR) is a platform by medical students and physicians for medical students and physicians to connect and schedule their clinical Clerkships, Observerships, and premed shadowing experiences.

Chase DiMarco founded FAR. Chase is an M.D./Ph.D.-C, MS, and MBA-HA. He is the Founder and educator at FreeMedEd, which began in 2014 to consolidate free educational resources for his classmates. He is the host of the Medical Mnemonist podcast, Rounds to Residency podcast, Medical Ping-Pong podcast, and co-author of "Read This Before Medical School."

Chase has a passion for making studying easier for all students, bringing great educational resources to the masses, and increasing the options and availability for clinical experience in healthcare professions.

You can find his works online at ChaseDiMarco.com/media.

FAR is a platform in which medical learners and clinical preceptors find clinical rotations, schedule clinical experiences, and take control over their academic future!

FindARotation.com Provides:

*Increased autonomy
*Increased transparency
*And increased affordability!

FAR is the first marketplace of its kind, allowing for crowdsourced resources for healthcare students and professionals. FAR allows for more options locally and nationally for students without the financial burden of a placement agency.

It also utilizes automated systems to decrease faculty, provider, and clinical coordinator time when it comes to clinical tasks. It aims to increase efficiency in scheduling student rotations and clerkships, finalizing documentation, and receiving payments (where necessary).

Follow Chase and FAR online @findarotation
or email Support@FindARotation.com for immediate help.
He can't wait to hear from you!

So, if you found it helpful, please share and comment, leave us a review, and follow me at:

OsorioMD.com / info@OsorioMD.com
Thanks for Listening,
Alonso Osorio, M.D.

#MEDICALEDUCATION, #INNOVATIONINMEDICALEDUCATION, #CLINICAL MEDICINE, #USCE, #EXTERNSHIPS, #OBSERVERSHIPS, #INTERNSHIPS
#IMG, #FMG, #ROTATIONS, #IMG ROTATIONS, #MEDED, #MEDTECH, #CLINICALEXPERIENCE, #CLINICAL CLERKSHIPS

E70: July 4th is here & Residency Training is about to Start!!!

IMG Masterclass — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 14:53:50 GMT

We are celebrating Episode #70 - A milestone in my podcast production efforts. Briefly, I want to send an uplifting, motivating message to all of you and each of the IMG / FMGs that have found and secured a residency training spot for GME in the USA.

After years of preparation, hard work, and dedication, you have accomplished a huge milestone—one more step in the lifelong ladder to professional success.

The internship is full of surprises, amazing moments, and constant daily discovery, as ever challenging and very intense, physically and mentally overwhelming. But do not worry, it will be another type of stress, and you must have the determination to keep growing as a physician on this career effort that will never stop.

Today is your internship... in the future, Fellowship or Attendingship. But the road, its endless, at least for the next few years, and the possibilities to explore are here for you.

Push hard, move forward, and keep dreaming!

Welcome to the American Graduate Medical Education...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Best wishes and Good Luck,

Your coach,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

https://mailchi.mp/7c5e689c124f/drrobrc

Thanks for listening!

E69: You Matched, Now What? - Dr. Roberto Ruiz-Cordero, M.D.

IMG Masterclass — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 14:39:03 GMT

By now, most of the recently matched IMGs are probably already in the United States looking for a place to live and applying for all the important documents in and outside their hospitals.

You Matched, Now What?

It is a short guide to find all the high-yield information to go about relocating to the United States and settling in. It contains valuable information on the number of things you need to do before and after your residency.

In addition, it also walks you through the things that you will have to learn during your first year, like how to pay your taxes before April 15 of next year.

This guide does not focus on the medical aspect of things; it focuses instead on the essentials, the basics of personal finance, immigration, and daily life in the United States.

The book is designed to help you navigate the non-academic aspects of your new life. From getting a place to live without getting scammed, and applying for your social security number, driver’s license, and other documents to making sure that you OPT-IN for the RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS that your hospital offers.

The book will explain why this is of utmost importance and give you access to a simple but useful budget sheet to track your expenses and savings. It will point you to numerous resources that will help you throughout your residency.

Dr. Ruiz-Cordero has planned to get an easy-to-read guide to all of you soon but don’t worry, you can pre-order the eBook on Amazon now, and it will become available for purchase at the beginning of July!

Check it out on the following!

link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097CQ96VP

Also, feel free to sign up for his newsletter as he will be sending relevant info (without spamming your inbox) in this link:

Rest assured that the best is yet to come, and feel free to reach out if you ever need help, either through me or directly to him.

Thanks again for listening!

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

info@OsorioMD.com

www.OsorioMD.com

E68: Big Physician's "NO-NOs" Part TWO

IMG Masterclass — Sat, 29 May 2021 20:05:02 GMT

We wrap it up with my personal comments about the main pitfalls to avoid while practicing medicine in the US.

My only hope is that some of you would corroborate my experiences or for the ones that have not gone through the life exposure to these situations to gather the knowledge or situational awareness to be ready on dealing with “Hot Button” situations during your medical school, residency, fellowship or current attending life as a practicing physician or provider in the USA.

Actions punishable by the State Medical Board and Local agencies
Completeness of Medical Records and Delinquent Files
Business ventures could break STARK LAW (Physician self-referral), the Anti-kickback statute (AKS), and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law and here is the link for further information about this complex topic: https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/physician-education/01laws.asp
Prescription of Controlled Substances
State required CME for license recertification
Inappropriate sexual behavior, sexual approaches, excentric stuff!.
EMTALA – What are it and its implications for Emergency and Non-emergency Providers
Call schedule and Responsibilities
Not reviewing or reading hospital bylaws
Practicing Beyond the score of your practice
Avoid anything that seems to be fishy, sketchy, or just if double-guessing yourself; avoid it altogether.
Racism in America / Gender Bias / Segregation

Thanks again & I am hoping to get back on my schedule of material production once weekly!

The consultation cycle is now open:

Best!

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

E66: Big Physician's NO-NOs! Part One

IMG Masterclass — Sat, 15 May 2021 22:19:16 GMT

Episode #66 is a Potpourri on my 20 years of navigating the healthcare system in the USA. Part one condenses the initial segment. It is full of juicy information that will assist the new physician in navigating life as a doctor while straying away from potentially career-ending situations.

Do you guys wonder how do I get Ideas for content?

Well, I will tell you my secret, during my commutes, from work to home or vice versa, I mostly listen to plenty of on the go "car university" Audible titles, and some of the things I have learned, I try to use them and apply them towards my medical practice and my life. Also, Some of these teachings bleed right into my podcast production project.

Since the FMG & IMG Podcast is an experiential show, my only goal is to show you how (I am not saying it is the only way or the right way!). Still, over 20 years, life and experience have taught me, either by personal mistakes, lessons, or anecdotes, which is the best pathway to choose when dealing with all the different scenarios and life situations. One day, you, like me, will encounter on your path.

For that reason, I collect my ideas, type them, write them down, purify the thought process, and come up with the bulk of my content—episode 66 is juicy, sometimes funny, but for the most part enlightening. The different topics that I wanted to touch on cannot be summarized in only one episode and will split into a couple of listens; Part 2 will be in episode 68. (Since E67 has already been publishing with Dr. Valdivia).

I apologize in advance for the production mistake and jumping around. As long as you listen, I will be delighted to know if my contributions to your life were helpful.

And please remember, if looking for coaching, mentorship, and VIP advice in your career path into the USA, I am here to help. So, email me at:

https://youtu.be/STxPLMyNESs

and visit www.OsorioMD.com, where more information is available. Share and distribute my content. The podcast is also available on my YT channel, and it has been extremely popular with plenty of views. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe!

Episode # 67: "Brain Surgeon or Aquaman?" - The Importance of Physicians Wellness

IMG Masterclass — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 20:31:05 GMT

Deep Diving - A Brain Surgeon's Choice for Practicing Wellness!

Dr. Juan Valdivia-Valdivia returns to speak everything about Deep (sea) Diving and how this correlates with his professional career as a Brain & Spine Surgeon. Based on Tampa Bay, Dr. Valdivia found a niche in a rare and unique sport that takes Cardiopulmonary / Brain Physiology to a new level.

The human body does not know limits, and the overall body and mind preparation is required for this and many other disciplines (Not only sports but also business, relationships, etc.)

Some of the topics that we discussed are:

1. Visualization techniques and similarities for performance: Surgery vs. Freediving.

2. Self-programming or Mind-programming & how it helps in surgery (life, sports, business) and a parallel to other activities like freediving.

3. What it means to be "Present in the Here and Now."

4. How to balance life with a busy practice, a study schedule, a family life. How crucial is wellness in the process of preparation and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

5. The Brain and Water, and his opinion on evolution, neuroanatomy, and in-water physiology responses.

6. The Ocean: "The Big Mother" - an interesting concept!

7. Why humans have felt attracted to the water/ocean so much over our process of evolution.

8. Why do humans love to dive and breathe hold?

9. What's the foundation for a good physician/doctor/provider.

10. What does it mean to "Put the patient first!".

Many of you wonder why we speak about this topic. The reason behind it is the content discussed and how it could help us use strategies to increase and maximize performance during the USMLE test-taking process and ECFMG certification pathway.

Never forgetting and leaving behind yourself and your loved ones, and having a balance at work and in life. His perspective as a Neurosurgeon is interesting, and visualization and mind programming could help quite a bit with the proper test-taking preparation and eventually a good outcome and success in achieving your goals!

He shared an amazing link on YouTube that explains further this interesting and rare sport: Freediving!

https://youtu.be/TpUycK-2_lI

Enjoy, and Please share!

Do not forget to visit:

Contact me at:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=usaresidency%20match%20-%20never%20give%20up!

Thank you again for listening,

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

E65: "We Matched!" - A double story of success...

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:56:24 GMT

E65: "We Matched!" - A double story of success...

Listen to these 2 Colombians—two applicants, physicians that I couched. With Ferney, from the begging of his journey and with Daniela, supporting her during her 4th affair at matching.

Both have a remarkable story. For one of them, one attempt, one process, and success. For her, 4 attempts, thousands of dollars and lots of frustrations, and a whole transformation in how to take on and improve the application process. But never giving up, like her Facebook group quotes, here is the link:

I hope you enjoy this happy discussion as we celebrate their matches and get exposure to the emotions and feelings of becoming a doctor in the USA.

These two pupils were successful, and you can be one of them as well! so remember, invest in your future. With some tips of advice and experience, I can help by reaching out to me and requesting my Coaching and Life Coaching consultation services to empower you and give you the skills to make it into GME in the USA. I will help you with the tools to help you find a program but understand that I cannot get you into the programs. I have no control over that, and it's 100% up to your dedication and efforts, so if interested, please click the link below.

Invest in you and your future, and talk to me! I can help, and I hope to see you succeed as my colleagues and friends Daniela & Ferney did! - So click below to get redirected.

https://www.osoriomd.com/consulting/

As most of my guests have agreed, having a consultant, it’s the way to go when you want to have a clear understanding of what it takes to be a doctor in the USA!

The certification path could be confusing and remarkably overwhelming, and a counselor could make the difference between success or failure…

With my 20 years of experience, you will get premium advice, and I will be “holding your hand” and assisting you along the way; so far, some of my followers have shadowed me and have really enjoyed the experience of working by my side.

The information that I have compiled over the years and the experience of having had practice in the USA gives me the background and strength of knowledge in directing you in the right direction, so you don’t “ get lost” and help you accomplish all your dreams and goals.

After following my website, I hope that you have gathered the understanding based on real-life experiences that every person’s journey is a different one, some smooth, some complex, but for the most part, as Colin Powell said:

“There are no secrets for success; it is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

& “A willing mind Makes a hard journey easy,” Phillip Massinger.

For a convenient initial face-to-face Skype consultation, up to 60 minutes, please fill your application for review, a preliminary discussion, and coordinate a convenient timeframe for both of us.

And for just $199, you will get 100% of my attention, and we will carefully analyze your situation and implement strategies to move forward on this path. We will help you accomplish every dream, and I will coach you along the way.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E64: "Congratulations: You have Matched!"

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 16:27:58 GMT

I want to congratulate all 7500+ IMGs that were Matched during the 2021 ECFMG residency application process. Its been one of the toughest years for all of us and incredibly challenging for those who put themselves through the grind.

Brighter things are coming to us soon. All we can hope for is to do our part by studying hard, building a strong resume (CV), personal statement, improving our English, and perfecting our interviewing skills by working on verbal & non-verbal communication.

And to motivate you all, I am posting Dr. Daniela Rodriguez's thank you message on her Facebook group, with her permission, and which I have found to be extremely motivating, moving, and at the same time encourages all of us on how to beat the odds.

USA Residency Match - Never Give Up! that, as of now, has 8.1K members benefiting from everyone's feedback. Feel free to join and visit her at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2629554533956743

So, for now, I will leave you with this:

At 10:58 am yesterday, I received an email from the NRMP saying, "Congratulations, you have matched!" And immediately, my hands began to shake out of joy and excitement. I couldn't believe what had just happened. Finally, after four attempts, my dream of becoming a pediatrician will come true.

Yet, looking back at the path it took to get me here, I can say that I found it filled with tough challenges and obstacles. But thanks to those challenges, I am the person that I am today. During the process, I met amazing people who were willing to lend me a hand without ever meeting face to face. Not only that, I became a better person, appreciating more and more the unconditional love my parents, siblings, and the rest of my family members have always given me. Most importantly, God's timing is perfect.

Since I started this process, it hasn't been easy at all. It became even more challenging when, after three consecutive tries, I could not match. Each time, it felt I was not going to achieve it. I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, at the same time, there was something that kept pushing me to keep fighting. After each defeat, I gained more strength. It was within those disappointing moments; I decided to create this group. Funny! What began as a Facebook group soon became an international family. I met people who were also going through the same difficulties as I was. Although not everyone was on the same path, what brought us together was the desire and willingness to keep fighting. I realized that I was not alone and that if you (the group) believed in me, I should believe in myself.

Today, I am writing to say "Thank you" with all my heart. But most importantly, to tell you that anything is possible and that if I could achieve what I achieved yesterday, everyone can. Never stop chasing your dreams, and don't let the negative thoughts limit you.

I also thank my parents, my friends, and everyone who was part of this process.

Never give up!

Here are some of the people she wanted to thank, and I felt It was necessary to give them valid recognition for their input to accomplish her dreams...

Andrea Cortés Fernández

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

Residency Success

Varun Agrawal Sana

Khan Zeel Bhatt

Hernán Goicochea

Rossana Romero Orozco

Arielle Richey Levine

Héctor Fauricio Pinilla

Juan P. Ruiz Juan Camilo Rodriguez Cuellar

& Thanks for listening once again, and remember, episode 65 has Dr. Rodriguez as a guest, telling us about tips and advice about her path and the emotions during March 15th that is still flowing to this day. Good luck, Doctors, and get ready for July 1st.

Stay in touch, and Remember to Download and Share!

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

https://youtu.be/oWcVbdglsWE

E63 - The FMG & IMG Podcast and some Motivation for all!

IMG Masterclass — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 04:18:23 GMT

The requirements for ECFMG Certification include passing examinations in the medical sciences, clinical skills, and communications skills. Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) of the United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®) are the exams currently administered that satisfy the medical science examination requirement.

Prior to its suspension by the USMLE program in early 2020, the former USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam was the exam that satisfied the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification.

In response to the suspension and subsequent discontinuation of Step 2 CS by the USMLE program, ECFMG|FAIMER has offered pathways to allow international medical graduates (IMGs) to meet the clinical and communication skills requirements.

ECFMG|FAIMER first offered the pathways to IMGs participating in the 2021 Match and is continuing and expanding the pathways for IMGs participating in the 2022 Match.

The pathways allow ECFMG Certification to continue to perform its critical function of providing assurance to the public and U.S. graduate medical education (GME) programs that IMGs are ready to enter supervised training.

They also allow qualified IMGs to continue to pursue ECFMG Certification and to compete for positions in U.S. GME.

In addition pathway applicants also must meet all requirements for the pathway to which they apply.

Detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions for each of the following pathways will be published as they become available.

Important Note: Applicants who failed Step 2 CS one or more times must apply through Pathway 6 regardless of whether they meet the eligibility requirements for other Pathways.

Pathway 1: Already Licensed to Practice Medicine in Another Country

Pathway 1 is intended for applicants who currently hold or have recently held a license/registration to practice medicine without supervision. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for Pathway 1 must apply to Pathway 1 unless they failed Step 2 CS.

Pathway 2: Already Passed a Standardized Clinical Skills Exam for Medical Licensure

This pathway is intended for applicants who are not eligible for Pathway 1, but who successfully completed a secure, standardized clinical skills exam as a requirement for medical licensure or registration in a country other than the United States.

Pathway 3: Medical School Accredited by Agency Recognized by World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)
Pathway 4: Medical School Participates in U.S. Federal Student Loan Program or Is Accredited by an Agency that Has Received a Determination of Comparability by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA)
Pathway 5: Medical School Issues Degree Jointly with a U.S. Medical School Accredited by Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

Pathways 3, 4, and 5 are intended for applicants who have not yet obtained a license/registration to practice medicine without supervision (Pathway 1) and who have not already passed an acceptable standardized clinical skills exam for medical licensure (Pathway 2). An applicant to Pathway 3, 4, or 5 must be a student or a recent graduate of a medical school that meets eligibility requirements established by ECFMG.

Pathway 6: Evaluation of Clinical Patient Encounters by Licensed Physicians

Pathway 6 is intended for applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements for Pathway 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and/or have failed Step 2 CS one or more times. To meet the requirements for Pathway 6, the applicant’s clinical skills must be evaluated by licensed physicians using ECFMG’s Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX). Additional details and instructions for meeting the requirements for Pathway 6 will be provided as soon as they are available.

Exceptions

ECFMG will consider exceptions to certain pathway eligibility requirements for limited and specific reasons.

Application Timing

The on-line application process for Pathways 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is expected to open in April 2021.

The on-line application process for Pathway 6 is expected to open in July 2021.

E62: Dr. Cyrillo Araujo, M.D. "A radiologist Life Journey: From Brazil to the USA"

IMG Masterclass — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:45:46 GMT

Dr. Cyrillo Araujo is a Senior Member Radiologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, in Tampa, FL. He Trained at Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazil, followed by a Residency training in Radiology with Board Certification at the same institution followed by a Research Fellow at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and subsequently another Fellowship in Body Imaging at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Subsequently getting certified by the American Board of Radiologist.

Through our eloquent interaction we abstract the trail of his accomplishments and dissect the crucial moments and and mentorships that determined his current professional status.

The importance of this discussion is based on the richness of information in how to overcome adversities and how to push forward and accept the challenge when an opportunity arises.

His perseverance and dedication is shown on how he jumped the hoops imposed by certifying institutions and immigrations requirements to eventually meet the dream of becoming a board certified radiologist in the USA.

His not only a physician, but also a very dedicated family man and business entrepreneur that enjoys his current cancer based practice and teaching with the residency and fellowship training programs at the University of South Florida (USF), Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, FL.

This episode is Part 2 of 2.

Best,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E61: "Do you have Grit?: How to become a Radiologist in the USA" with Dr. Cyrillo Araujo, M.D.

IMG Masterclass — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:19:18 GMT

Alternative Training Immigration and Board Certification Pathways for FMGs to become Radiologist in the USA.

Through our eloquent interaction we abstract the trail of his accomplishments and dissect the crucial moments and and mentorships that determined his current professional status.

The importance of this discussion is based on the richness of information in how to overcome adversities and how to push forward and accept the challenge when an opportunity arises.

This episode is Part 1 of 2 with our phenomenal guest, so be in the look out for the next download that will enlighten all of us in finding the way to make "Dedication to Meet the Opportunity" to eventually Succeed.

Enjoy this Amazing Juicy show!

Best,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E58: Hospitalist Medicine & Leadership Positions for IMG Women - Angela Aboutalib, M.D.

IMG Masterclass — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 16:29:35 GMT

Angela Aboutalib, MD

National Director of Quality for US Acute Care Solutions / Integrated Acute Care.

Medical School:

St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine

West Bay, Cayman Islands

Residency:

Internal Medicine West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, IL

Dr. Aboutalib has been practicing as a hospitalist and teaching attending physicians for the past few years. She earned her medical degree at St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine in Grand Cayman and completed her residency at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, IL.

Dr. Aboutalib is a member of the Leading Physicians of the World. In 2014, that group presented her with the Top Internist in Chicago award. She is also a member of the American College of Physicians & Outside of the hospital, she enjoys various hobbies, including yoga, Pilates, traveling the world, and baking.

A dynamic conversation about her multicultural and overseas medical school attendance will eventually, after perseverance, accomplish her dream of becoming a physician in the US. Her IMG story is one of many in which, despite the road limitations and life intricacies, she overcame and got ahead professionally and became a successful internist specializing in Hospital Medicine.

We discuss the amazing option for an FMG / IMG on what is to become a Hospital as a long-term career path. In general, the USA has a significant shortage of doctors specializing in Hospital Medicine.

Companies like hers are always on the lookout for motivated physicians with the desire to explore a pathway in this specialty.

Hospital Medicine could become a fantastic option for Family Medicine Specialists, Internists, and Pediatricians alike, which allows an advantageous and flexible career choice, especially for women who also want to pursue a life as mothers in their household while having a structured, predictable work practice.

Enjoy our episode together; it is an amazing story to be heard!

Thanks again, and don't forget to share!

Best of all,

Your coach and mentor,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E59: Medical Recruiting Essentials for FMGs with Mr. Darrin Grella.

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 03:28:51 GMT

E59: Medical Recruiting Essentials for FMGs with Mr. Darrin Grella. Finding the Dream Job Post Residency?

Medical Recruitment in the USA

Mr. Darrin Grella is Vice President, Clinical Recruiting at US Acute Care Solutions based out of Akron, Ohio, United States. Darrin has nearly twenty years of recruiting and marketing experience as a top performer in the recruiting industry, both as a third-party and a global executive recruiter across various sectors. Darrin is passionate about people, seeing them achieve their goals and ultimately helping them grow more than just professionally.

Darrin joined the legacy EMP in 2010 and currently serves as the Vice President of Clinical Recruiting for USACS. Before joining, Darrin owned his contingency recruiting firm focusing on medical, marketing, and other professionals.

His background includes healthcare, emergency medicine, engineering, technology, and marketing for some of today's Fortune 100 companies. He is a certified career coach, interview consultant, and author. In 2009 he published "The 10 Key Interviewing techniques," which was the outcome of his career consulting series for business schools in the Big10 network and other colleges and universities. Though he attended the University of Cincinnati, he ultimately graduated from Malone College with a BA in Business Management & Marketing and an AS in Spanish.

The interview is a strong interaction to expose physician and medical provider recruitment in the USA. As Foreign Medical Graduates Make it into America, we struggle to establish a network of connections early on. We do not focus on the job search task until very later on in the training path, sometimes rushing into making life-changing decisions that will crucially impact the first years of independent practice as an attending physician.

Throughout my career, I did personally get acquainted with the relationship between physician and recruiter. If guided in the right way, this one could be a fruitful one that will open a world of potential opportunities that, if balanced and considered the proper way, could lead to the right decision when looking for that "ideal dream job" that we all strive to find.

I hope this opens your mind to some other considerations that become crucial as you move along the educational journey. This one is an episode so juicy that I know it's going to elicit many great comments and interactions. Whatever your specialty becomes, there is always a team of recruiters willing to help you find the job you are looking for. Do your research. Search well and follow your heart! Good luck in this path. Interviewing will never stop. Stay in touch and remain curious,

Best,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E60: Breaking News - USMLE Step 2 CS gets Cancelled!

IMG Masterclass — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 02:40:43 GMT

The Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) test of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) has been discontinued. The two organizations that sponsor the exam, the FSMB, and NBME, announced last Tuesday, January 26th, 2021.

Step 2 CS has been an all-day exam and typically requires test-takers to gather clinical information, perform physical exams, and communicate with colleagues about a set of standardized patients.

The test was aimed to evaluate interpersonal and communication skills in a clinical setting, as opposed to a multiple-choice exam.

But critics of Step 2 CS say it's too expensive and time-consuming, often posing unnecessary medical students' barriers.

Following Step 2 CS's postponement last May of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) stated that part of the test will now be discontinued permanently.

Initially, the organizations planned to suspend Step 2 CS for 12 to 18 months to bring back a modified and improved version. But "after reviewing current and anticipated progress with the exam and in consideration of the rapidly evolving medical education, practice, and technology landscapes," the organizations said that the exam step would be terminated.

"We have no plans to bring back Step 2 CS, but we intend to take this opportunity to focus on working with our colleagues in medical education and at the state medical boards to determine innovative ways to assess clinical skills," the USMLE statement said.

Initially, the organizations planned to suspend Step 2 CS for 12 to 18 months to bring back a modified and improved version.

But "after reviewing current and anticipated progress with the exam and in consideration of the rapidly evolving medical education, practice, and technology landscapes," the organizations said that the exam step would be terminated.

Despite Step 2 CS's cancellation, clinical reasoning and communication will continue to be assessed in other steps, including computer simulations in Step 3 and bolstered content in Step 1, the organizations said.

This could be taken in a concerning way by the FMG / IMG community and is still to see what will be determined and the new process that will take place and be established to evaluate that realm of proficiencies. It could be seen as a disadvantage at this point, but my advice is not to panic and wait and see what happens once the dust settles!

See my YouTube videos on this topic here:

English Version:

Spanish Version:

https://youtu.be/_jibh-MVVtc

Do not forget to subscribe, share and leave a comment!

Also, sign up for notifications when the newest video or podcast gets published.

Good bye for now,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E57: How you must study to obtain a USMLE Score on both Step 1 & 2 in the 99th Percentile! with Santiago Acosta Quiroga

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 01:53:05 GMT

E57: Santiago Acosta Quiroga

How you must study to obtain a USMLE Score

on both Step 1 & 2 in the 99th Percentile!

Santiago Quiroga is a Foreign Medical Graduate from Colombia – currently going through his internship at Fundación Cardio-Infantil, Colombia. He attended Medical School at one of the most relevant if not the best Medical School in Colombia: Colegio Mayor Nuestra Senora del Rosario.

Despite the limitations that COVID-19 has imposed on IMG/FMGs to set up rotations outside of the country, he has found a way to strategize and plan his future.

After extensive research and after collecting the necessary evidence to launch himself into this endeavor, he has proven that there is “NO MAGIC SAUCE or SPECIAL SECRET” to score in the 98-99th percentiles of the USMLE test, in both Steps 1 & 2.

The Key: Studying with a purpose, ongoing deliberate practice, perseverance, hard work, and dedication. Yes, you read it, 98TH and 99th Percentile for each of those tests.

We discuss the method that he used and implemented to break the barriers at test-taking. He also proved himself that his English was good enough and proficient to launch his own YouTube channel – at Santiago AQ. The link for his channels are here below:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA0bsdADDU6SZLPoCTwpQVQ

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCGcDXaTo6970DZn9mwUXhw

Instagram: @Santiago.aq

Please follow him, like his channel, and do not forget to subscribe!

Wishing you a happy 2021,

Good Bye for now,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

E56: So, you don't believe in vaccines? - All the facts about the new COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations - Dr. Aaron Osborne, M.D. PhD. "The Real Dr. OZ"

IMG Masterclass — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 14:43:26 GMT

Episode 56: FMG & IMG Podcast 1st Anniversary!

Dr. Aaron Osborne, M.D. Ph.D. "The Real Dr. OZ"

Thanks to everyone for supporting my project!

A dream that I had for the last four years finally became true on December 29th of 2020.

So, 56 Episodes later, and more than 20,000 downloads across the planet (65 countries) in every continent, has helped many International Medical Graduates aim for their dreams, giving them the tools and advice necessary to immigrate and become physicians in the USA.

Strength comes with numbers, diffusion of information, and social media sharing is critical for our community's growth and can impact many more listeners.

We believe that an altruistic effort like this one is worth the time and money spent, knowing that probably something I have experienced and lived in the U.S. will be useful to someone out there.

If you find it valuable and has helped you in one way or another, please send us a message to:

Today's episode was dedicated to our community of lay-people, the world's citizens, on evidence-based facts. We provide well-intentioned information to promote public health awareness and encourage and motivate the general public to get vaccinated as the COVID-19 immunization becomes accessible for massive utilization across the world.

As physicians, we commit to our society, and in part, we must be educators about healthy actions and habits. Vaccines have been the most critical scientific advancement that has saved the most life in humankind's history. To learn the importance and benefits of vaccinations and to trust their usage will be the most crucial action during 2021 to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.

Our Guest, Dr. Aaron Osborne, M.D., is also a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He is a Board Certified, and Residency Trained Emergency Physician. With the background, scientific knowledge, and experience of working with mRNA technology, he comes to the show to have a chat and give us reliable, truthful information on what's behind the COVID-19 Vaccine engineered by Pfizer and Moderna.

This episode is a fun and interactive discussion on many topics that are creating misinformation in social media. We felt that it was necessary to intervene and provide reliable and accurate information that educates the public and breaks down the barriers to understand better and accept a massive scientific discovery that has become, thus far, the potentially most impactful way to combat this virus that has wiped millions of people across the planet, and to some of us, has affected our families and may have taken away some of our most loved ones.

Merry Christmas 2020 and Happy "Corona-Free 2021"!

Please share – it would be the best Xmas present you can give to your friends and acquaintances on social media. Soon, the discussion will be available as well on our YouTube Channel.

Stay in touch for more to come next year!

Happy holidays,

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

E55 - Essentials on Money Management & Financial Planning: Christopher Drew - Experiential Podcast Series Part 6

IMG Masterclass — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 18:56:17 GMT

Everyone has a dream of their ideal retirement and money management. And to realize those dreams you need a solid plan with a firm foundation. For that reason, We must develop a financial strategy for our future.

As we make it into the US, I highly recommend advice from a reliable trustworthy financial professional that has integrity and wisdom, to see a complete, 360-degree view of your financial picture, including how your retirement assets are integrated and work with one another.

By implementing strategies to protect and grow your money:

Distribution planning form lifetime income
Passing on more wealth to your heirs
Optimizing your wealth for tax-efficiency
Downside protection from the next market bubble.

You can enjoy your future by mapping out your finances now, especially if there’s still time to grow your wealth. The longer you invest, the more time your money has to grow, yet the more it is also exposed to market volatility.

That is why diversifying your retirement assets among a variety of vehicles- both through insurance products and investments depending on what is appropriate for your situation-may help you meet your retirement income goals throughout your lifespan.

Today our guest is Chris Drew, founder and President of Drew Capital Group is a Florida native, born in Fort Myers. Shortly after moving to Tampa in the spring of 2004, Christopher became highly knowledgeable in the health and life insurance arena and later went on to obtain his Series 65 license to become a registered investment advisor representative (IAR).

He evolved his focus to incorporate a comprehensive, client-focused approach to financial planning. Such discipline ensures that recommended programs encompass each client’s financial goals, time frames, and risk tolerance.

With a client-focused, comprehensive plan in place and reviewed regularly, Christopher and his team strive each day, working one-on-one with his clients, to help them pursue their personal financial objectives.

He comes on this episode to shed light on the ever-changing financial landscape by elaborating on ways to protect assets and maximize returns on their investments where principal protection is the main objective, ensuring financial confidence throughout retirement.

He can be found and reached at

https://drewcapitalgroup.com

16021 N Florida Ave Lutz, FL 33549

Toll-free: 1.833.DREWCAP

Office: 813.820.0069

Thanks for listening!

Alonso Osorio, MD, FACEP, FAAFP, FAAEM.

info@OsorioMD.com

813-465-9157

E54 - This is what you must know about Medical Malpractice in the USA! - Experiential Series Part 5

IMG Masterclass — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:37:05 GMT

Medical Malpractice Insurance & Litigious America!

Medical malpractice insurance is a specialized type of professional liability insurance covering physician liability arising from disputed services that result in a patient's injury or death. Medical liability insurance is required by almost all states and most medical systems as a requirement to practice.

Malpractice insurance is generally available through traditional insurance carriers or from a medical risk retention group, a mutual organization of medical professionals organized to provide liability insurance (sometimes sponsored by state medical societies).

Additionally, some large medical systems may be "self-insured;" instead of purchasing commercial insurance, a medical liability trust fund created, used to pay for the defense of malpractice claims and any resulting judgments against their physicians. Although it is possible for smaller medical groups and practices to self-insure, there are significant legal and business obstacles that make this a difficult option for most.

Individual and group malpractice coverage plans are available for those in independent or small practices. Medical liability coverage is offered for employed physicians as part of a group plan purchased by the employing hospital or health system.

The optimal type and amount of insurance you need to meet your state's malpractice insurance minimum requirements and for adequate personal and practice asset protection may vary significantly based on your circumstances. Therefore, it is essential to confer with a professional medical insurance consultant or institutional risk manager to determine the appropriate type and amount of coverage for your particular practice situation.

It is essential to understand the two basic types of malpractice insurance: "claims-made" and "occurrence." A claims-made policy will only provide coverage if the policy is in effect both when the incident took place and when a lawsuit is filed. As can be seen, this requires that coverage must extend for a significant period of time to provide adequate protection since a considerable amount of time may elapse between when an incident may have occurred and when a claim is made. Because of this, some claims-made policies are written to provide a period of coverage referred to as a "tail" that extends coverage for a set amount of time (such as five years) after a policy end.

If not offered as part of the original policy, tail coverage may also be purchased; the cost of tail insurance is typically a one-time assessment that can be as much as 1.5 to 2 times a typical annual malpractice insurance premium.

Tail coverage, however, is critical in situations where you have been covered with a claims-made policy but are changing insurance carriers, moving to a new position, or are retiring, ensuring continued malpractice coverage during these transition times for incidents that may have occurred in past years.

The costs of tail coverage may be covered by your previous practice to ensure adequate protection of their group assets or by your new practice either as a benefit or an inducement to join the group. Tail coverage may be an appropriate item of negotiation with a prospective new employer.

Occurrence policies differ from claims-made insurance. They cover any claim for an event during the period of coverage, even if the claim itself is filed after the policy lapses. In general, this type of policy does not require tail coverage, although this type of insurance is usually significantly more expensive and less frequently offered by employers.

It is also essential to understand the finer details of your medical malpractice coverage.

Policies typically cover a range of expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice suits, including

attorney fees,
court costs,
arbitration and settlement costs,
medical damages, and
punitive and compensatory damages.

Medical malpractice usually does not cover liability that arises from criminal acts or sexual misconduct. It is critical to know what your insurance policy would specifically cover and what it does not ensure you are adequately protected. It is also essential to see the amount of coverage for each occurrence and all claims that may be made against you.

Although some states require minimum amounts of coverage for both the amount per each claim and the total of all of the claims that may be made, it is important to discuss the potential need for additional coverage above these minimums with a professional malpractice insurance consultant or institutional risk manager to ensure that your assets are protected.

If you are entering private practice, remember that in addition to medical liability claims, medical practices also face potential claims associated with other medically-associated risks such as cyber liability and regulatory requirements such as compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Some medical malpractice policies may cover these types of exposures; if not, separate policies to protect against these risks are generally available.

Medical Negligence Falls into Three Broad Categories of Error:

Failure to Diagnose.

This form of malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to diagnose an existing medical condition or diagnoses a medical condition that the patient does not have.

Negligent Treatment.

In these kinds of cases, the doctor rendered negligent treatment to the patient. In other words, the doctor made a mistake that a reasonably competent doctor would not have made. Proving that medical malpractice occurred in an emergency room is more complicated. For those cases, the injured patient must prove that emergency room personnel were not merely careless but that they were "willful and wanton" in their disregard of the patient's medical needs.

Failure to Warn.

The last category of medical malpractice is the failure to warn the patient of known risks. Most treatment courses — whether it is surgery, administering drugs, or some other treatment — carry risks. If a doctor fails to obtain the patient's consent to a course of treatment after warning the patient of known risks, then the doctor has committed malpractice if that known risk occurs.

Some cases will have provable negligence from multiple categories. For instance, if a doctor failed to warn about the possibility of prescription drug addiction and subsequently "over-prescribe" a patient, the physician has acted negligently AND failed to warn the patient of potential risks.

According to a 2013 study published in the BMJ Open medical journal, "failure to diagnose" was the largest source of malpractice claims, accounting for 26 to 63 percent of all malpractice claims brought against primary care physicians. Researchers found that the most common patient outcome from "failure to diagnose" errors was death, which occurred 15 to 48 percent of outcomes recorded in malpractice claims.

I hope this helps to understand, creates curiosity, and motivates you to learn and adapt better to this complicated topic and what it entails and how we can all be prepared and ready from day number one to mitigate the exposure and risk of liability carried by our medical proceedings while practicing medicine in the USA.

Thanks for listening,

Happy holidays 2020!

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

alonsojosorio@yahoo.com

E53: Are you getting residency Interviews? - A matching process update: Dr. Ferney Paez-Olmos

IMG Masterclass — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 19:59:45 GMT

Episode 53

Are you getting residency Interviews?

A matching process update:

Dr. Ferney Paez-Olmos.

His experience with the 2020 Interviewing Cycle during the COVID-19 Pandemic!

The interviewing season for 2020 is open, and some of you have successfully obtained one or more interviews. Congratulations! – So now it is the time to shine and succeed during the virtual encounter with the Residency Program Directors, Attendings, Chief Resident, and program's staff.

Dr. Ferney Paez-Olmos returned to update us on his process. They gave us dozens of great tips of advice along with some "Insider's information" on the type of questions and interactions that he had to deal with during his preliminary interactions.

In summary,

It took him about two full weeks to start receiving the first email notifications on invitations
He updated his computer, microphone, internet connection, and lighting to maximize the quality of the virtual interactions
He has continued to practice his English and interviewing skills and made very clear that the only way to deal with the nervousness around it is to be prepared and rehearse over and over, to excel when it is "time to shine."
An interview session could last from a few hours to a whole day, and there might be more than one person meeting you or a panel of them!
Be ready, have plenty of questions available about the program, and do not hesitate to appropriately answer when asked "Tells us about yourself," which seems to be the most prevalent and common question out there
Be knowledgeable about the program and the background of the attendings you will be meeting – Get to know their Bio!
Portray confidence and do not forget about your professional appearance
Turn on the cell phone/email / ERAS notifications to be ready to answer and reply rather immediately when an interview slot is offered and available. Many places are offering the spots on a "First Come, First serve basis."
8-10 interviews will give you an 80-90% chance to match into the specialty of your choice.
Do not lose hope and never give up. The rumor in social media is that, on average, IMGs during this year's season is not getting that many interviews during the initial offerings, but that does not mean it won't happen later on during the cycle in 2020 and or even in early 2021 – before the interviewing season closes. So do not quit or give yourself false-negative expectations!

Ferney also had a great VIP coaching affordable experience with Dr. Varun Agrawal.

I Promised you to leave his link here with you! – and Thanks For Listening…

He can be found on Facebook as:

Ed4Med US - your Expert Guide to U.S. Medical Residency

https://www.facebook.com/ed4medus

www.Ed4MedUS.com

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

Episode # 52: How to build credit & What's a Credit Score - Tips for Immigrants!

IMG Masterclass — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 14:59:49 GMT

Episode # 52:

How to Build Credit & What's a Credit Score - Tips for Immigrants!

Experiential Podcast Series - Part 4

When immigrating to the USA, most of the time, as you surf the Financial and Economic market, you will come across the term "Credit Score" and what is your "Credit Worthiness." And as you become familiar with it, here are some tips of advice and understanding what it means.

A credit score is just a three-digit number, but it can have a significant impact on your financial life. Your credit scores (most people have more than one) can affect your ability to qualify for a loan or get a credit card by giving potential lenders a sense of how likely you will repay your debts. Understanding credit score ranges can help you assess whether your credit may need some work. And knowing the factors that affect your credit scores can help you identify how to improve them over time.

Credit scores are calculated using the information in your credit reports. Each of the three main consumer credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — produce a credit report with input from lenders, credit card issuers, and other financial institutions.

Your credit reports include information about your credit history and activity. The credit bureaus rely on credit scoring models such as VantageScore and FICO to translate all this information into a number.

While each credit scoring model uses a unique formula, the models generally account for similar credit information. Your scores are based on factors such as your history of paying bills, the amount of available credit you're using, and the types of debt you have (we'll cover these factors in detail later).

Federal law prohibits credit scores from factoring in personal information like your race, gender, religion, marital status, or national origin. That being said, it's not necessarily true that the American financial system is unbiased — or that credit lending and credit scoring systems don't consider factors affected by bias.

So, what's a good credit score? Though it varies across credit scoring models, a score of 670 or higher is generally considered good. For FICO, a good score ranges from 670 to 739. VantageScore deems a score of 661 to 780 to be good.

A credit score that falls in the good to the excellent range can be a game-changer. While financial institutions look at various factors when considering a loan or credit application, higher credit scores generally correlate with a higher likelihood of getting approved.

A good credit score can also unlock the door to lower interest rates and more competitive terms. And if you have excellent credit scores, you have an even better chance of being offered the best rates and terms available.

On the other hand, if you have low or bad credit scores, you may be able to get approved by some lenders, but your rates will likely be much higher than if you had good credit. You may also be required to make a down payment on a loan or get a cosigner.

Credit scores depend on these factors:

Payment history

For both the FICO and VantageScore 3.0 scoring models, a history of on-time payments is the most influential factor in determining your credit scores. Your payment history helps a lender or creditor assess how likely you are to pay back a loan.

Credit usage or utilization

Your credit utilization is calculated by dividing your total credit card balances by your entire credit card limits. A higher credit utilization rate can signal to a lender that you have too much debt and may not be able to pay back your new loan or credit card balance.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30%. This may not always be possible based on your overall credit profile and your short-term goals, but it's a good benchmark to keep in mind.

Length of credit history

More extended credit history can increase your credit scores by showing that you have more experience using credit. Your record includes the length of time your credit accounts have been open and when they were last used. If you can, avoid closing older accounts, which can shorten your credit history.

Credit mix and types

A healthy mix of accounts, including revolving lines of credit (like credit cards) and installment loans (such as car loans, student loans, personal loans, and mortgages), can help build your scores. Lenders want to see that you're able to handle and pay back different types of credit.

Recent credit inquiries

When you apply for credit or a loan, the financial institution will conduct a hard inquiry on your credit that shows up on your credit reports. Credit scoring models consider these recent hard inquiries when calculating your scores. Opening multiple new accounts within a short period could suggest to a lender that you're struggling financially.

In summary, No one credit score holds more weight than the others. Different lenders use different credit scores. Regardless of the score used, making on-time payments, limiting new credit applications, maintaining a mix of credit cards and loans, and minimizing debt can help keep your credit in good shape.

I hope this helps to clarify some doubts,

Best,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

info@osoriomd.com

Episode #51: "Credentialing / CME / Initial Certifications & Ongoing Education / Re-certification for Physicians in the USA – an overview of what is to come for IMGs."

IMG Masterclass — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 03:25:08 GMT

Episode #51: Experiential Podcast Series – Part 3

"Credentialing / CME / Initial Certifications & Ongoing Education / Re-certification for Physicians in the USA – an overview of what is to come for IMGs."

The path has just begun, and you are on the way to a lifelong medical practice in the USA. And residency training/fellowship is just the beginning!

Thus far, you have composed, designed, and allocated a large amount of time and effort to create an initial profile for yourself, including Resume/CV, Personal Statements, Medical School Transcripts, Diploma and Certificates translation, Document verifications, etc.

The list goes on forever!

And here it comes,

It is not only of utmost importance. It's crucial that you devise a filing method and tabulating your files, licenses, immigration/VISA documents, Social Security, Credit card information, etc. In a paper file, and an electronic backup method, cloud-based, retrievable 24/7 from anywhere.

Why is it so important? Because over the next 20-30 years of your professional medical career, you will have to support your credentials with past and most up to date documents necessary for certification, licensing, and hospital credentialing wherever you go.

You will be requested to provide a history of documents that could go back 10-15 years ago in history. Having them ready and easily accessible at the palm of your hands will be an immense invaluable tool when needing to provide those within a timed frame for recertification and verification of professional credentials.

Remember to maintain and keep a "CLEAN" personal and professional profile. Whatever you do outside the hospital/practice environment could have immense repercussions (positive and negative) in your professional career! (i.e., Marital problems, like domestic violence, child neglect, and abuse, failure to pay alimony or child support, Drug/Alcohol abuse and misuse or dependence, traffic violations, crimes, misdemeanors, speeding tickets, DUIs, legal battles, etc.)

You must be honest and truthful in your professional documentation attestations. Complete and stay up to date on your CME and State/National compliance professional requirements. Keep up with your board certification and professional educational lifelong development and learning. At the same time, you stay away from "shady" business moves that could get you in jail and or your license revoked.

You will be held to a higher standard and regulated more than any other profession!

We are incredibly regulated, and our credentials are verified and peer-reviewed over the years, multiple times. Maintain a high degree of professionalism and be a leader and an example to your community.

Enjoy the episode because we will discuss the nuances on this, but many other topics of importance regarding the complex process of life-long education and credentialing across the U.S. healthcare system.

Thanks for listening,

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

alonsojosorio@FMG-IMGcast.com

Episode #50: Experiential Podcast Series - Part 2

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:50:43 GMT

EPISODE # 50:

Experiential Podcast Series - Part 2:

"An Overview of the U.S. Healthcare Team Members"

As you get ready to land the residency position of your choice and get situated to start your training every year's July 1st in the USA, you must be prepared to face a whole new environment of team players surrounding you!.

It will be crucial to understand who will be part of your team members and how they relate to each other and yourself. From day number one, you will be exposed to new interactions and relationships and create a liaison with each of the healthcare team players, so your training goes smoothly, at least from the human connection point of view.

You will find a silent hierarchy and a quiet "chain of command" that it is not so apparent from the moment you step into the hospital. In America, the complex healthcare systems have tiny parts that interact with each other like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to make the machinery churn towards a unique goal, providing excellent healthcare with great patient outcomes.

The episode contains a detailed explanation for most of the job descriptions of people working along your side and how they relate to each other and yourself during your residency, fellowship, and eventually your professional life as a practicing attending physician in the U.S.

It will be 45 minutes of goodness and advice that you won't find anywhere else. Real-life in the hospital is much different than you expect, and it's up to each one of you to build great relationships along this training path, which will allow you to succeed with ease!

Thanks for listening,

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

Introduction to "Life in America as a Doctor": IMG Experiential Series

IMG Masterclass — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 20:50:04 GMT

"Life in the USA / Part one of IMG Experiential Series"

We dedicate this podcast to the nuances of what it is like to live in America! – My example is just one of many, but the experiential series is here to uncover the “Bumps that you will find on this Road” as a physician immigrant into the US.

After 21 years in the USA, I can speak by personal experience that it has been an ever-evolving process of immersing in a new culture and adapting to a contemporary society that carries an entirely different modus operandi.

From the professional etiquette and dress code, the financial aspect of saving and putting money away for a 401k, a child college fund. Essential items like disability, malpractice, life insurance, and even what is like to deal with obtaining credit, and many other situations you will confront as you learn your new way of life in a different country.

We will be touching on simple but at the same time complex issues, like purchasing a house, leasing an apartment, buying a car, and even dealing with the fact that we have left our extended family behind and moved into a new neighborhood, city, state, and country.

My advice from day number one is to create files and folders, along with a computer cloud back up record of every essential document generated under your name and your family members (if any) during the immigration process.

As an example, I will refer to files from INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service), IRS (Internal Revenue Service), to include ID cards, Drivers License, Social Security documents for you and family, passports, VISAs, State Medical Licenses, DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), Opiate Dispensing permits, ACLS / BLS / PALS, Diplomas, and also, essential, all CME (Continuous Medical Education) credits in one place.

As complex as it sounds, having excellent organizational skills will help you very much along the way and will save you time and money when receiving inquiries to retrieve a copy of these files.

Welcome to the Journey, and I wish you the best of luck obtaining many residency interview spots during the 2020-2021 cycle of the ERAS match process.

I hope you enjoy it,

Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP.

Why Is Trump tinkering with the Physician J-1 Visa Immigration Program for GME? With Greg Siskind, J.D.

IMG Masterclass — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 18:58:40 GMT

Episode # 48: Why Is Trump trying to tinker with the Physician J-1 Visa Immigration Program for GME? With Greg Siskind, J.D.

Our guest today is Mr. Greg Siskind, J.D. His previous episode was super popular among our listeners and has reached over 500 downloads and explained how the Physician immigration process works currently for FMGs.

He returns to the show to clarify the current state of affairs with proposed immigration modifications that could have direct implications on how physicians in the USA on a J-1 Visa will have to proceed in the future if these changes take place.

Mr. Siskind is one of the Founding Partners at Siskind Susser, PC. With his 30+ years of experience in immigration law, he was invited to comment on the most recent publication at the ECFMG website regarding the potential implications of a new law that could change the future for FMGs immigrating to the USA on a J1 visa immigration status.

Siskind Susser PC is one of the leading immigration law firms in North America. Their attorneys have experience handling all aspects of American immigration and nationality law. At Siskind Susser, they are committed to providing quality and efficient service to all their clients.

Mr. Siskind and his law firm can be reached at:

www.visalaw.com

gsiskind@visalaw.com

Here are the SUMMARY POINTS that we clarify in our discussion:

The U.S. health care system is facing an unprecedented strain on resources in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to a growing physician shortage that predates the pandemic.
For decades, J-1 physicians have played an essential role in ensuring quality and accessible health care in the United States.
J-1 physicians who train in the United States are highly qualified and carefully monitored by ECFMG|FAIMER, the sole visa sponsor for these physicians for nearly 50 years.
Our nation's success in battling the pandemic depends on the continued contributions of J-1 physicians to U.S. health care.
That means for us, FMGs to eliminate "duration of status" as an authorized period of stay for certain nonimmigrant visas (F, I, and J). This rule change will have an immediate and devastating impact on U.S. health care during one of the most severe pandemics in our nation's history.
This proposed rule change enters a public comment period, September 25, 2020-October 26, 2020.
All stakeholders have the opportunity to submit feedback before ICE makes a final decision on the proposed Rule.
Training programs last from one to seven years, depending on the medical specialty or subspecialty.
The current duration of status provision allows J-1 physicians to extend their authorized stay in the United States for subsequent years of training to renew their visa sponsorship annually with ECFMG|FAIMER. This rigorous review process confirms their continuing eligibility.
The proposed rule change would replace "duration of status" with a specific end date and the additional requirement to apply through the U.S. government each year to extend this end date.
The current published processing time for such an extension application ranges from five to 19 months.
With most residency/fellowship contracts issued only three to five months in advance of the July 1 start of each new academic year, the proposed change would create an impossible timeline, and do so on a recurring, annual basis.
Consequently, thousands of J-1 physicians would be unable to continue in their training programs on July 1 each year.
This document has a comment period that ends in 25 days (10/26/2020)

Proposed Rule by the Homeland Security Department on 09/25/2020

The Federal Register bulletin published:

"Establishing a Fixed Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media"

SUMMARY:

In the fiscal year 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) admitted over 2 million foreign nationals into the United States in the F academic student, J exchange visitor, and I representatives of foreign information media nonimmigrant categories.

This is a testament to the United States' exceptional educational institutions, cutting-edge technology, and environment that promotes the exchange of ideas, research, and mutual enrichment.

Currently, aliens in the F, J, and I categories are admitted into the United States for the period that they are complying with the terms and conditions of their nonimmigrant category ("duration of status"), rather than admission for a fixed period. This duration of status framework generally lacks predetermined points in time for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration officers to directly evaluate whether F, J, and I nonimmigrants are maintaining their status and poses a challenge to the Department's ability to monitor and oversee these categories of nonimmigrants effectively.

Specifically, because nonimmigrants admitted in the F, J, and I classifications generally do not currently begin to accrue unlawful presence until the day after there is a formal finding of a status violation by USCIS or an immigration judge, they are often can avoid accrual of unlawful presence for purposes of statutory inadmissibility grounds of unlawful presence, in part, because they do not file applications or petitions, such as an extension of stay, that would result in a formal finding.

The Department accordingly is concerned about the integrity of the programs and the potential for increased risk to national security. To address these issues, DHS proposes to amend its regulations by changing the admission period of F, J, and I aliens from the duration of status to admission for a fixed time.

Admitting individuals in the F, J, and I categories for a fixed time will require all F, J, and I nonimmigrants who wish to remain in the United States beyond their specifically authorized admission period to apply for an extension of stay directly with USCIS or to depart the country and apply for admission with CBP at a port of entry (POE).

This change would provide the Department with additional protections and mechanisms to exercise the oversight necessary to vigorously enforce our nation's immigration laws, protect the integrity of these nonimmigrant programs, and promptly detect national security concerns.

In summary, be proactive, comment, and congregate about the issues affecting the FMGs deeply. I hope this message clears the air and calms the fears that were motivated by the most recent post on the ECFMG website!

All of you can read the Rule and make click the green button to make a comment. You can read other people's comments as well.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/25/2020-20845/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant

Thanks for listening,

Your host,

Alonso Osorio, M.D.

https://www.facebook.com/doctorenusa/

alonsojosorio@fmg-imgcast.com

Episode # 47: Bigger & Better USMLE Scores with Doctor en USA!

IMG Masterclass — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 03:59:06 GMT

Listen to Doctor en USA - and the strategies that he has to offer to succeed and have a great USMLE Score!

Contáctanos a el wp + 1 915 202 2180

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Facebook page: doctor en USA

Facebook group: Doctor en USA

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Somos el primer y único curso que ha pensado en todos los médicos de habla hispana que desean ser médicos aquí en USA

Contáctanos, siempre tendremos un plan ajustado para ti:

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Thanks for listening...

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