In 2023, Intealth launched the inaugural Grant Opportunity for J-1 Physicians: Well-being Projects Supporting Foreign National Physicians. This well-being initiative, led by Intealth and funded in part by the U.S. Department of State, awarded grants of up to $5,000 to three J-1 physician-led projects supporting the well-being of foreign national physicians at their host institutions. Three recipient projects, described below, were selected from a pool of nearly 60 proposals. Recipients implemented their projects at their host institutions over the course of the year and presented them at a well-being seminar, held jointly by Intealth and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in November.
Intealth congratulates the grant recipients and thanks all who have contributed to the success of these projects for their commitment to foreign national physician well-being.
Pictured left to right: Can Mişel Kılçıksız, MD; Martha Maricela Solis, MD; Shruthi Mohan, MBBS, MD
Project Title: “WashU International Medical Graduate Wellness Initiative – Incorporating Peer Support, Mentorship, Resource Creation, and a Celebration of Diversity”
Host Institution: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
J-1 Physician Project Lead: Can Mişel Kilçiksiz, MD
Project Team Members: Callie Torres, MD; Rawan Safa, MD; Nadia Wattad, MD
Institutional Point-of-Contact(s): Jennifer G. Duncan, MD; Patricia Cavazos, PhD
Project Summary:
This project sought to improve the support and well-being of international medical graduate (IMG) trainees at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis through the following objectives: enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by focusing on IMG well-being; establishing an institutional system of support to address the unique challenges faced by IMG trainees; implementing an IMG trainee and faculty mentorship program; organizing presentation sessions with professionals to address specific challenges for J-1 physicians; and developing specific resources and information tailored to IMG trainees at the program.
“Our efforts increased the awareness of IMG wellness hospital-wide, and we will continue to provide educational resources to the program directors and department leaders,” Dr. Kilçiksiz said. “Our initiative created a platform for community, advocacy, and wellness for IMG trainees. We will continue to work on improving access to our efforts, such as more intern participation and connecting incoming, newly matched trainees to our support system.”
Project Title: “Alone We Survive, Together We Thrive: International Medical Graduate Empowerment Initiative (IEI)”
Host Institution: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
J-1 Physician Project Lead: Shruthi Mohan, MBBS, MD
Project Team Members: Daniela Bullard, MD; Laura Rangel Rodriguez, MD; Jose Antonio Elizondo Leal, MD
Institutional Point-of-Contact(s): Elif Erkan, MD, MS
Project Summary:
This project sought to address the challenges faced by IMGs in the U.S. health care system by identifying pain points for trainees at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, establishing a proactive support system at the institution, and sharing gained insights with other U.S. health care institutions that also host IMGs. Its objectives were to create a comprehensive guide for new IMGs coming into the program, perform a needs-assessment on trainees via a specially designed survey, develop a mentorship program, organize social activities, host expert speaker sessions, and utilize social media for knowledge dissemination.
“The impact of this project on the well-being of J-1 physician IMGs has been profound,” Dr. Mohan said. “It has successfully cultivated a nurturing environment that resonates with the warmth of friends and family, significantly enhancing the J-1 physician’s sense of belonging and community. This is particularly valuable for them while they are navigating the dual challenges of adapting to a new health care system and settling into a different cultural environment.”
Project Title: “Improving J-1 Physician Wellness at the UTRGV-KMC Internal Medicine Residency Program”
Host Institution: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Knapp Medical Center
J-1 Physician Project Lead: Martha Maricela Solis, MD
Project Team Members: Jose Gomez, MD; Sabhi Gull, MD
Institutional Point-of-Contact(s): Fatimah Bello, MD
Project Summary:
This project sought to enhance the wellness of J-1 residents at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Knapp Medical Center. Its objective was primarily achieved through a series of five monthly presentations covering relevant and important topics for J-1 IMG trainees. It also provided trainees with proactive support and guidance for the administrative procedures commonly encountered by J-1 residents, established a mentoring system for J-1 residents, and organized wellness activities to foster bonding.
“One of the most valuable lessons we learned was that it doesn’t take much to have a positive impact on a J-1 resident’s well-being,” Dr. Solis said. “The informative sessions, which are a no-cost, low-effort intervention, were very helpful for them. The wellness activities encouraged bonding amongst residents and helped them cope with stress.”
Information on Intealth’s 2024 Grant Opportunity for J-1 Physicians: Well-being Projects Supporting Foreign National Physicians will be announced in the coming months.
Categories: ECFMG, IMGs in U.S., Wellness