The IMG Roadmap Podcast

Dr. Nina Lum
  • 4.9 (108)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The IMG Roadmap is the only podcast dedicated to guiding International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with success blueprints for this unique pathway. This podcast offers practical tools and equips IMGs with applicable strategies to achieve their “US doctor goals”. I do so by bringing information from successful physicians with first hand experience to students who are still in the process of becoming resident physicians.

  1. 5H AGO

    152. From Unmatched to Neurology Resident: Dr. Nishitha Bujala's IMG Success Story (IMG Roadmap Series #131)

    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! ***** From Unmatched to Neurology Resident: How Dr. Nishitha Built a Winning IMG Application Episode Summary: What happens when you do everything right—and still don’t match? In this episode, Dr. Nishitha shares the real, unfiltered journey of going unmatched… and what it actually takes to come back stronger. From a 235 Step 2 score to landing U.S. clinical experience at top institutions like Johns Hopkins, she breaks down exactly how she rebuilt her application, secured a preliminary position, and ultimately matched into neurology. This is not a “perfect score” story. This is a strategy, persistence, and execution story. If you’re an IMG wondering whether it’s still possible for you—this episode is your answer. What You’ll Learn: How to recover after going unmatched (and what NOT to do) The real role of USCE—and how to get it without connections Why a 235 Step 2 score can still be enough How cold emailing actually works (when done right) The truth about prelim years—and why they’re underrated What neurology programs actually look for in IMGs How to build momentum when you feel stuck Key Takeaways: Your application is more than your score Being unmatched is a setback—not the end Strategy beats perfection every time Consistency and execution > waiting for the “perfect moment” You don’t need connections—you need persistence Who This Episode Is For: IMGs applying to neurology IMGs who didn’t match (or are afraid they won’t) Anyone struggling with USCE, Step scores, or direction Applicants who feel “behind” or stuck Connect with Dr. Nishitha:@thegirlnextdoctor ****** Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today: - 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.⁠⁠

    47 min

  2. MAR 22

    151. How Dr. Davion Bartholomew Secured a Pre-Match Offer Despite Multiple Step 1 Attempts (IMG Roadmap Series #130)

    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! ***** What happens when your journey does not go according to plan? When you graduate medical school, start working, begin studying for the USMLE, fail Step 1 more than once, and watch your peers move on with life while you feel stuck? In this episode of the IMG Roadmap Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Davion Bartholomew, a U.S. citizen IMG from Trinidad and Tobago who shares the real story behind her journey to a family medicine pre-match offer. This is not a story of overnight success. It is a story of: repeated setbacks rebuilding after failure learning the true reason she was failing changing her mindset applying broadly using every connection available and trusting the process even when it felt impossible If you are an IMG who has ever failed an exam, questioned your future, or felt behind in life, this episode is for you. In This Episode, We Talk About: What it’s like to graduate medical school in Trinidad and Tobago and work while trying to pursue U.S. residency Why she initially chose not to get coaching—and why she later changed her mind How failing Step 1 twice affected her mentally and emotionally The hidden root cause of her exam failure Why mindset was the biggest shift in her journey How she changed her study strategy and passed How she applied to 111 programs How she landed 9 interviews How one “accidental” in-person interview became a pre-match offer What pre-match really means Why family medicine was still her number-one choice What she would say to any IMG struggling after failure Key Takeaways 1. Failure is not the end of the road Even after multiple attempts, it is still possible to match. 2. You must identify the real reason you failed For Dr. Davion, it wasn't a lack of knowledge. It was endurance. 3. Mindset matters more than people realize Changing her internal dialogue changed how she studied, how she showed up, and how she moved forward. 4. Broad application strategy matters She applied to 111 programs, mostly family medicine, and used every connection she had. 5. Pre-match can still happen—even when your application isn’t “perfect” She matched despite Step 1 attempts and being five years out from graduation. About Dr. Davion Bartholomew Dr. Davion Bartholomew is a U.S. citizen IMG from Trinidad and Tobago who graduated medical school from the University of the West Indies in 2020. She is currently working as a house officer in Emergency Medicine and has now secured a pre-match offer in Family Medicine in Pennsylvania. Connect with Dr. Davion Instagram: @davi_bartholomew Mentioned in This Episode IMG Roadmap Planner drninalum.com/calendar IMG Roadmap Waitlist drninalum.com/waitlist ****** Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today: - 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.

    46 min

  3. MAR 15

    150. From Surgery to Anesthesiology: Dr. Christian Matishak’s Journey Through the Match (IMG Roadmap Series #129)

    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! ***** What happens when you do everything right… But the system still says no? In this episode of the IMG Roadmap Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Christian Matishak, a Canadian IMG who scored 250 on Step 1 and 265 on Step 2 — yet still struggled to match into residency. His journey includes: Applying to general surgery Matching preliminary surgery Going through the Match three times Being told he could not reapply to surgery because of visa rules Pivoting into anesthesiology Finally matching and becoming an attending anesthesiologist This conversation is honest, raw, and incredibly important for IMGs who believe test scores alone will carry their application. Because the truth is: The Match is more complicated than that. What We Discuss Why high USMLE scores still didn’t lead to a surgery match What IMGs often misunderstand about residency competitiveness The mistakes he believes hurt his application Why personality and presence matter during rotations The hidden visa rule that prevents prelim residents from re-entering the match in some cases Why he ultimately pivoted to anesthesiology What a “suicide match” means Life now as an attending anesthesiologist on a J-1 waiver The mindset that carried him through three match cyclesKey Lessons for IMGs 1️⃣ Scores alone are not enough Even a 250/265 score profile does not guarantee a match in competitive specialties. 2️⃣ Clinical performance matters Quiet students who do not speak up in the OR may be overlooked. Programs want to know: “Do we want to work with this person for 4 years?” 3️⃣ Visa rules can change your options Some visa restrictions prevent residents from re-entering the match for certain specialties once they’ve progressed in training. 4️⃣ Pivoting is not failure Dr. Matishak pivoted from surgery to anesthesia and discovered a career he genuinely enjoys. 5️⃣ Positivity matters more than people think After two unsuccessful matches, he made one mental shift: “Things are going to work out.” That mindset changed everything. Where He Is Now? Dr. Matishak is now an attending anesthesiologist in Little Rock, Arkansas, completing his J-1 waiver while building a career that once seemed impossible. Connect With Dr. MatishakInstagram : @CMATISHAK LinkedIn: Christian Matishak ***** 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.⁠⁠

    53 min

  4. FEB 15

    149. The SOAP Survival Guide: What Every IMG Needs to Know

    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! ***** Match week is emotional.But SOAP is not chaos — it’s structured. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) works, who is eligible, and how to prepare before match week so you are not scrambling in panic. If you are an IMG in the current cycle, this episode is mandatory listening. If you’re applying next year, this is your preparation blueprint. What I Cover in This Episode What SOAP actually is and why it exists Who qualifies for SOAP The real reason people don’t match (hint: it’s not always credentials) IMG statistics in SOAP The exact SOAP timeline (round-by-round breakdown) The rules you must NOT break How to prepare your application now How to build your SOAP support system What to update in ERAS before match week Why emotional preparation matters as much as strategy Critical SOAP Timeline (Match Week) Monday (11 AM): You find out if you matched Tuesday–Wednesday: Programs review applications + interview Thursday: 4 offer rounds Round 1: 9–11 AM Round 2: 12–2 PM Round 3: 3–5 PM Round 4: 6–8 PM Thursday 9 PM: SOAP ends Friday: Match Day If you get an offer, you have 2 hours to respond. You must be ready. What You Should Be Doing NOW Update and polish your personal statement Upload strong LORs (you can still add new ones) Identify 5–6 support people for match week Plan childcare/work adjustments if needed Prepare emotionally Know the rules (NRMP SOAP policy link below) Rules You Cannot Break No contacting programs outside ERAS No negotiating offers No accepting multiple offers No back-channeling Violations can follow you into future cycles. Recommended Episodes: Episode #54 – Dr. Emmanuel Morakinyo (SOAP Success Story) https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/54-img-roadmap-series-69-dr-emmanuel-morakinyo-internal/id1490731292?i=1000512802728 Official NRMP SOAP Policieshttps://www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/soap/ SOAP is not the end of your story. Preparation beats panic. And I’m here to help you prepare. ****** Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today: - 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.⁠⁠⁠

    15 min

  5. FEB 8

    148. New H-1B Applicants After Sept 2025? Here’s What I’d Do

    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! ***** There’s been a lot of fear circulating online about a proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications, and I’ve been getting questions nonstop from IMGs who are worried about what this could mean for their future. In this episode, I break down what’s actually being discussed, who this proposal may apply to, and—most importantly—how I would think about this as a physician if I were applying for H-1B today. I share my own immigration journey, how I approached visas strategically, and why panic is never a strategy—but preparation is. Where the $100,000 H-1B fee discussion is coming fromWho this proposal would apply to (and who it would not)Why social media is the worst place to get immigration advice How physicians can potentially qualify for exemptions What “national interest” really means for doctors Why shortage areas matter more than ever What I would personally do if I were a new H-1B applicant today Key Takeaways Not every headline applies to every IMG Physicians are uniquely positioned because of workforce shortagesKnowing the rules gives you leverageYou need a plan—not fearResources Mentioned NIW information: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-second-preference-eb-2 USCIS on H1B visa: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations HRSA Health Professional Shortage Area tool: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas/hpsa-find IMG Roadmap Podcast Episode #13 (National Interest Waiver discussion):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/13-img-roadmap-series-30-dr-clarisse-tallah-fm-ob-maternal/id1490731292?i=1000469793341 Immigration attorney referral: https://www.bakerlaw.com/insights/uscis-clarifies-when-100000-h-1b-fee-is-required-exempting-most-f-1-students/ DisclaimerThis episode reflects my personal experience and opinions and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. ****** Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today: - 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.⁠⁠

    18 min

  6. FEB 1

    147. Emergency Medicine as an IMG: The Truth About Matching, SLOEs, and Networking with Dr. Helena (IMG Roadmap Series #128)

    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! ***** Emergency Medicine is often described as one of the least IMG-friendly specialties. So how did a U.S. IMG who went to medical school in Europe not only match into Emergency Medicine—but go on to design a flexible, independent career on her own terms? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Helena, known online as @a.youngdoctors.journey, an Emergency Medicine physician currently working as a travel/locum tenens EM doctor In this episode we talk candidly about: Choosing medical school in Europe The loneliness of studying for USMLEs abroad The reality of applying to EM as an IMG How she secured SLOEs when doors were closed Why networking—not scores—changed everything And how she transitioned into a 1099, location-flexible EM career after residency This episode is for IMGs who want real talk, not sugar-coated advice. Why going to medical school in Europe can be a strategic decision—if planned correctly The biggest misconceptions IMGs have about match statistics What it actually feels like to apply for U.S. residency as an IMG How COVID disrupted U.S. clinical experience—and how to adapt Step 1 & Step 2 scores: what mattered and what didn’t What a SLOE is and why it’s critical for Emergency Medicine Creative, ethical ways to secure rotations and evaluations Why networking is the most underutilized IMG skill Cold emailing, conferences, social media Why Emergency Medicine doesn’t “love” IMGs—and how to work around it The difference between W-2 and 1099 work after residency How locum tenens allows physicians to control time, income, and lifestyle EM is difficult for IMGs—but not impossible Scores matter less than strategy, timing, and relationships You must build your own mentorship if your school doesn’t provide it Networking is not optional—it’s a skill Rejection is often redirectiom Get the scoop on: NRMP Match Outcomes Data CORD EM / SLOE resources (search: CORD Emergency Medicine SLOE) IMG Roadmap Podcast 1099 / Locum Tenens pathways Feel free to reach out to Dr. Helena @a.youngdoctors.journey⁠on Instagram, or via email at hello@ayoungdoctorsjourney.com If you’re an IMG interested in Emergency Medicine—or any competitive specialty—this episode will change how you think about planning, networking, and owning your path. ****** Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today: - 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.⁠⁠

    48 min

  7. JAN 25

    146. “Old” IMG, New Match: How a 10-Year Gap Didn’t End Dr. Damien-ange Sighaka’s Dream (IMG Roadmap Series #127)

    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! ***** This episode is for the IMG who’s been told—explicitly or implicitly—that too much time has passed. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Damien-ange Sighaka, a Cameroonian IMG who graduated medical school in 2013 and didn’t start U.S. residency until 2023—a full 10 years later. Often labeled an “old IMG,” Dr. Sighaka shares how he navigated: A decade-long gap Multiple medical school transfers across countries ECFMG delays USMLEs years after graduation Working as a registered nurse while waiting And still matching into Internal Medicine residency at the very hospital where he worked as a nurse This episode challenges everything IMGs are told about age, gaps, timelines, and what’s “realistic.” In this episode, we cover: What it really means to be labeled an “old IMG” How long gaps actually happen (and why they’re not always red flags) How ECFMG verification delays can derail timelines Why Dr. Sighaka chose nursing—and how it helped his application How to stay clinically relevant while working another job Strategic networking when you’re not a “traditional” applicant How to approach observerships, research, and LORs with a long gap Why mindset—not luck—was the turning point What he would do differently if starting today Key takeaways for IMGs with gaps: You cannot change the past—but you can control what you do next Being employed is not a failure—it can be a strategic advantage Long gaps require clarity, structure, and visibility, not hiding Mindset determines whether gaps become anchors or leverage Guest Info Dr. Damien-ange Sighaka Cameroonian IMG Medical school graduation: 2013 PGY-3 Internal Medicine resident Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital (Muncie, Indiana) Contact Dr. Sighaka: sighange@yahoo.fr Resources Mentioned Free 2026 IMG Roadmap Planner Plan your year month-by-month with clarity: https://drninalum.com/calendar IMG Roadmap Program Waitlist https://drninalum.com/waitlist ****** Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today: - 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.⁠⁠

    53 min

  8. JAN 18

    145. How a Nigerian IMG Became a U.S. Citizen: The Real Timeline + Key Paperwork with Dr. Tolulope Abikoye (IMG Roadmap Series #126)

    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! ***** In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tolulope (Tolu) Abikoye, a Nigerian IMG practicing Family Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. Stay tuned as Dr. Tolu shares his 15-year journey from F-1 (MPH) to J-1 residency, completing a J-1 waiver job in rural Michigan, obtaining an employment-based green card, and finally becoming a U.S. citizen in December 2025. In this episode, we cover: Why most residency programs sponsor J-1 (and why fewer sponsor H-1B) The J-1 2-year home requirement and why waivers are the gateway to staying in the U.S. Conrad 30 waiver basics (state-based, usually 30 slots/year, typically a 3-year commitment, must be in an HPSA) Green card steps (employment-based): PERM (labor certification) I-140 I-485 (adjustment of status) Why to start planning early (PGY-2) + what to ask employers so for the smoothest journey possible. Citizenship basics: N-400, 5-year general rule vs 3-year marriage-based rule, interview + civics test Resources & Links The physician-only WhatsApp group mentioned in the recording has since migrated to a private Facebook Group, where the community continues to connect, share updates, and support one another throughout their IMG journey.You can join the Facebook Group here.USCIS tracking: Create a USCIS online account to track filings and timelines.VA, HHS/federal agency, DOD, hardship/persecution waivers, National Interest Waivers and more.Listen to our episode with Dr. Tallah who went through the National Interest Waiver route! Eager to connect with Dr. Tolu? Feel free to shoot him an email at tolusubscribed@gmail.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: - 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.⁠

    35 min
See All (149)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
108 Ratings

About

The IMG Roadmap is the only podcast dedicated to guiding International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with success blueprints for this unique pathway. This podcast offers practical tools and equips IMGs with applicable strategies to achieve their “US doctor goals”. I do so by bringing information from successful physicians with first hand experience to students who are still in the process of becoming resident physicians.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Nina Lum
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Nina Lum
  • Show Website
    The IMG Roadmap Podcast

You Might Also Like