International Medical Graduates (IMG)
Promoting diversity in medicine
The AMA International Medical Graduates (IMG) Section represents and promotes the interests of physicians who graduated from medical schools outside of the United States or Canada.
Thirty-five thousand members strong, all AMA members who are IMGs are automatically members of the AMA-IMG Section.
Register now for the IMG Section Meetings
Registration is now open for the June 15-18th Annual Meetings of the IMG Section.
Book your hotel reservations online or call the Hyatt reservations office at (800) 233-1234.
View the AMA-IMG Section Annual Meeting schedule.
December 2011 Symposium Vodcasts
The vodcasts from the December 2011 IMG Symposium are now available. Please register to view the vodcasts on "Navigating the Residency Process for ECFMG-certified Physicians" and "Representation & Resources for International Medical Graduates."
Amicus Brief Filing on Behalf of IMG Physicians
An Amicus Brief (friend of the court brief) was filed on Tuesday, June 7th by the Texas Medical Association attorneys in collaboration with the American Medical Association and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. This amicus brief serves as an important and loud voice in organized medicine against acts of discrimination based on a physician’s ethnicity. The Amicus Brief outlines the three organizations' stance on ensuring that medical staff privileges not be deprived due to ethnic bias or without due process. Review the Amicus Brief.
2011 Interim Meeting
View the Congress meeting presentation from Drs. Hotchkiss and Culbertson, Tulane University Medical School
View the Busharat Ahmad Leadership Development Program presentation, "Managing Organizational Challenges As a Physician Leader"
2011 Annual Meeting
The AMA International Medical Graduates Section's (IMGS) held its 14th Annual Business Meetings, June 17–20, 2011, in Chicago.
View the Summary of Actions from the IMG Section and House of Delegates meetings.
View the interesting presentation made by Emmanuel Cassimatis, MD, President and CEO of ECFMG at the IMGS Congress meeting.
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ECFMG-certified membership category
The AMA is pleased to offer membership resources and dedicated support to international medical school graduates (IMGs) who are currently ECFMG-certified and are awaiting matching into a U.S. residency program (GME position). Join today to take advantage of the specific benefits and assistance the AMA offers to individuals at this stage of their medical career.
As a member, you will receive member benefits, such as:
- Powerful advocacy from the only national organization that represents all physicians. From non-discrimination policies to opposing the de-selection of medical schools to timely and fair immigration processing, we are the organization advocating on your behalf.
- Ability to contact AMA-IMGS staff for personalized resources and information to navigate the residency program selection process.
- Enjoy exclusive, members-only discounts on AMA books and products (up to 25 percent off) such as the Graduate Medical Education Directory and FREIDA Online which lists information for all the 8,600 graduate medical education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, as well as 200 Board-approved combined specialty programs, such as internal medicine/psychiatry. Users can search for training programs by selecting specialties, states, or even training institutions.
- Stand united with ECFMG certified individuals looking to match in a residency program, as well as other residents and fellow members nationwide who are committed to the issues that matter to you, from improving resident work conditions, expanding coverage for the uninsured and eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.
- Stay up to date on vital health care issues with award-winning publications like American Medical News, JAMA, Archives journals (with free online access) and AMA Morning Rounds
- Access to Succeeding from Medical School to Practice online guide, which includes valuable information and streaming video to help you confront the nonclinical demands of training and today's practice environment.
- Free access to the only IMG Observership Guidelines and Evaluation Tools available.
- Ability to attend the AMA Annual Congress to participate in IMG Section meetings.
- Discounts on programs and services from partners such as the AMA Physicians Guide to Financial Planning, as well as programs and services from partners such as Hertz and Henry Schein medical supplies.
Join Today! Fill out the attached application today to activate your AMA membership:
Call: (800) 262-3211
Fax: (312) 464-5843
Mail: American Medical Association, Remittance Control, 12th floor, 515 N State Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief
On behalf of the IMG Section of the American Medical Association, our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are extended to all the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Read the AMA’s response to view a comprehensive list of organizations that are helping Haiti.
Together, we can help people affected by disasters by donating to organizations who are assisting with disaster relief in Haiti. The Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE) is an active organization in our IMG Section. Visit amheflorida.org and amhe.org to learn how you can help.
Here is a list of other organizations that you may donate to:
- American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: 1-800-RED-CROSS
- Catholic Relief Services
- Doctors Without Borders
- Americares
- Center for International Disaster Information
Thank you for your attention, thoughts and prayers.
Join an AMA-IMG Section Committee
Your AMA-IMG Section is offering a new venue for AMA-IMG members to be actively involved with the AMA-IMG Section by joining one of the AMA-IMG Section committees. AMA-IMG Section members should carefully look at the listing of committees on the AMA-IMG Section Committee website and send an e-mail to indicating your interest. You will then receive a confirmation e-mail along with conference call scheduling information. We encourage you to take part in these committees and make your voice heard.
Wanted: IMG advisors
After a successful pilot year, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is once again seeking the participation of qualified physicians to serve on its IMG Advisors Network (IAN). IAN allow IMGS who are applying for J-1 visas through the Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program to communicate directly with IMGs who have successfully entered or completed GME training in the U.S. Learn more about serving as an advisor in the ECFMG IAN.
2010 Physician Workforce Paper
IMGs in the U.S. Physician Workforce Discussion Paper - 2010 edition (The AMA-IMG Section is pleased to provide the 2010 edition of this document which provides information on IMG workforce related issues including: the role of IMGs in the U.S. physician workforce, statistics on IMGs, IMG contributions to the delivery of health care in the U.S. and much more.) Please feel free to register and download this Workforce Discussion Paper. There are no printed copies available for distribution.
Practicing medicine in the U.S.
Information on immigration, certification and licensing. Applying for residency positions. Residency vacancies.
The AMA working for IMGs
Current advocacy on IMG issues and efforts to increase visibility of IMGs in the AMA and in organized medicine.
About us
History and evolution, mission statement, bylaws, accomplishments, and IMG Newsletters.
IMG leadership
Structure and leadership of the IMG Congress and Governing Council. Election procedures and results.
Meetings
The voice of the IMG Section influences policy and supports advocacy issues. This website includes Congress agendas, ethnic medical society meetings dates, actions from IMG Section meetings and links.
IMGs in the U.S.
J-1 Visa Waiver State by State Requirements of Conrad 30 Program.
Demographics of IMGs in the U.S.
State and Specialty IMG Sections.
Ethnic Medical Associations.
Setting the record straight on common myths.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions of concern to IMGs.
Contact us
Contact information for AMA Staff, IMG Governing Council and related services.
