Member Groups & Sections

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International Medical Graduates (IMG)

Please note some links on this page take you off of the AMA Web site. The AMA is not responsible for content on non-AMA Web sites. A listing here does not indicate endorsement by the AMA.

Promoting diversity in medicine

The International Medical Graduates Section (IMG) 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.

2010 Annual Meeting: A-10 Resolutions Deadline

The deadline to submit resolutions to the AMA-IMG Section is April 1, 2010. If you have resolution ideas or are considering submitting a resolution for the 2010 Annual Meeting, please submit them via e-mail to img@ama-assn.org.

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:

Thank you for your attention, thoughts and prayers.

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 AMNews, 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

2010 IMG Governing Council Election

Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 IMG Governing Council Election from December 11, 2009 - February 12, 2010. To participate in the IMG nominations process, complete the biosketch and nominations forms. Submit your nomination and biosketch information by Feb. 12, 2010, via e-mail.

2009 November Business Meeting

Participants may now view the Summary of Actions from the I-09 meeting.

2009 IMG Survey Results

Preliminary IMG survey results have been received. View the survey results.

Apply for 2010 Excellence in Medicine Awards

AMA Foundation seeks everyday heroes in medicine
Recognizing the extraordinary efforts of leaders in the medical community, the AMA Foundation honors those who go beyond the call of duty to improve the health of our nation. Presented in association with Pfizer Inc, the Excellence in Medicine Awards recognize a select group of physicians and medical students who represent the highest standards of volunteerism, public service and leadership. Learn more about these awards and apply. Nominations are due Nov. 16, 2009.

Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award

AMA Foundation spotlights senior physician volunteers improving access to care
In an effort to recognize medical leaders who provide treatment to U.S. patients lacking access to health care, the AMA Foundation honors senior physicians with the Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. The award is part of the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards program, presented in association with Pfizer Inc, and the recipient will be recognized at a banquet on March 1, 2010, in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award. Nominations are due Nov. 16, 2009.

Leadership Awards

AMA Foundation seeks leaders in medicine
Have you or someone you know exhibited outstanding leadership in organized medicine, advocacy, community service, public health or education? Medical students, resident/fellow physicians and early career physicians are encouraged to apply for the 2010 AMA Foundation Leadership Awards. A program of the Excellence in Medicine Awards, the Leadership Awards are presented in collaboration with the AMA Sections and Special Groups, in association with Pfizer Inc. Award recipients receive travel expenses to come to Washington D.C., Feb. 28 to March 3, 2010, for special leadership training, the Excellence in Medicine Awards banquet and the AMA National Advocacy Conference. Learn more about these awards and apply. Applications are due Nov. 16, 2009.

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 Web site 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 Web site 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.