Early bird registration open
Registration is now open for the 2027 AMA IMG Conference, taking place Aug. 20-21, 2027 in Chicago. Join hundreds of fellow international medical graduates (IMGs) for two days of learning, connection and career growth. This expert-led, immersive conference is designed for IMGs navigating the Match and IMG physicians pursuing career advancement.
As an attendee, you can:
- Benefit from targeted learning tracks:
- Successfully navigating the Match as an IMG
- Building a successful career and navigating the U.S. healthcare system
- Present your research at the AMA Poster Showcase
- Connect with peers at the IMG networking reception
Whether you are preparing for residency, pursuing your next career opportunity, or seeking to expand your professional network, the 2027 AMA IMG Conference provides the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to help you succeed and navigate the U.S. healthcare system.
Educational tracks
To support IMGs at different stages of their professional journey, this conference features two dedicated tracks:
- Track 1: Successfully Navigating the Match as an IMG
Designed for IMGs preparing to apply for residency or actively participating in the Match process, this track provides practical guidance on strengthening residency applications, understanding program expectations, preparing for interviews, and improving Match outcomes. - Track 2: Building a Successful Career and Navigating the U.S. Healthcare System
Designed for established IMGs, residents, and early-career physicians, this track focuses on professional growth, leadership development, career advancement, physician advocacy, and successfully navigating the complexities of practicing within the U.S. healthcare system.
Early bird pricing
Space is limited; register now to reserve your spot!
- Early-bird (AMA member): $249*
- Early-bird (non-member): $299*
- AMA member: $349
- AMA non-member: $399
* Early-bird pricing ends Feb. 28, 2027
Questions? Please contact [email protected].
Preliminary agenda
All sessions and times are subject to change. All times are in Central.
Friday, Aug. 20
Registration opens: 8–10 a.m.
Welcome address and core programming: 10 a.m. –noon
Networking lunch: Noon –1 p.m.
Afternoon breakouts: 1–3 p.m.
Refreshments break: 3–3:30 p.m.
Keynote speaker (TBD): 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Welcome reception: 5 –7 p.m.
- Drinks and hearty appetizers will be served
Saturday, Aug. 21
Registration: 7–9 a.m.
Networking breakfast: 8 a.m. -9 a.m.
AMA Poster Showcase: 9–11 a.m.
Core programming: 11 a.m. –noon
Mentorship luncheon: Noon–1 p.m.
Breakout sessions: 1–3 p.m.
Closing remarks: 3–4 p.m.
AMA Poster Showcase
Boost your research profile and present your research at the AMA Poster Showcase, taking place in conjunction with the 2027 AMA IMG Conference. Call for abstracts will launch in early January 2027.
Topics include:
- Advocacy & Policy
- Basic Science & Translational
- Case Reports
- Clinical
- Health Equity
- Leadership
- LGBTQ+ Health
- Other (Med Ed, Bioethics, etc.)
- Public Health
- Technology & Innovation
- Wellness
- Past speakers
Bobby Mukkamala, MD
As the immediate past president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Mukkamala, a board-certified otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon, remains deeply committed to improving our healthcare system by working on prevention of disease. Dr. Mukkamala, who is also board certified in lifestyle medicine, is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School. He is in solo, private practice in Flint, Michigan.
John S. Andrews, MD
Dr. Andrews earned his MD from the University of Wisconsin in 1987 and completed pediatric residency training there before a fellowship in Academic General Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins, where he later served as director of medical student education. After practicing in New Zealand and leading graduate medical education programs at Children's Minnesota and the University of Minnesota, he joined the American Medical Association in 2018 as vice president for graduate medical education innovations.
Ricardo Correa, MD, EdD
Dr. Correa is past chair, International Medical Graduates Section (IMGS) Governing Council; member of the Council on Medical Education; program director for endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism fellowship, director for Health Equity Center at the Cleveland Clinic; and AMA Research Challenge advisor.
Kristin Harris, JD
Harris is the principal of Harris Immigration Law, LLC, a boutique immigration law firm that specializes in business immigration with a focus on the healthcare sector. Harris advises healthcare entities across the United States with regard to immigration, including immigration sponsorship of physicians, researchers, allied healthcare professionals and technical professionals, as well as I-9 compliance.
Michael Jerkins, MD
Dr. Jerkins is the president and co-founder of Panacea Financial and is also a practicing physician in Little Rock, Arkansas. After earning his BBA in Economics, he deferred his medical school acceptance to teach middle school science in the Phoenix, Arizona, area while also earning his Masters in Education from Arizona State University. He then completed medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center before finishing residency at University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He hosts The Podcast For Doctors (by Doctors) and speaks nationally educating doctors on the intersection of practice and finance.
Saby Karuppiah, MD, MPH
Dr. Karuppiah is a seasoned medical education leader. A former family medicine and transitional year program director, he went on to serve as DIO and vice president of GME for the largest graduate medical education provider in the country. He currently serves as a DIO for Mercy Health. Dr. Karuppiah serves on the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Board of Directors and its Residency Task Force, where he helps shape the future of family medicine training nationwide.
Graham McMahon, MD
Dr. McMahon is the president and CEO of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®), that accredits over 1,500 continuing medical education (CME) providers in the U.S. and internationally. He serves as adjunct professor of medicine and medical education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he teaches medical students and fellows, and leads the diabetes program and cares for patients with endocrine disorders at Howard Brown Health in Chicago.
Parag H. Mehta, MD
Dr. Mehta is a physician executive, educator, mentor, and nationally recognized advocate for international medical graduates. An IMG himself, his professional journey reflects perseverance, lifelong learning and a deep commitment to service. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and has served as president of the Medical Society of the State of New York and governor of the American College of Physicians. Within the American Medical Association, Dr. Mehta serves as a chair-elect of the IMGS Governing Council and chair of its Strategic Planning Committee. He is passionate about helping IMGs navigate residency, distinguish themselves through authenticity and purpose, and grow into compassionate physicians and courageous leaders.
Alexis Pierce, JD
Pierce is the senior director of the Division of Legislative Counsel (DLC) at the AMA. Within this role she provides legal counsel and advocacy guidance to help advance the AMA’s priorities concerning its physician members across the federal government. She has a diverse portfolio that spans multiple areas of health law and policy including immigration, international medical graduate issues, physician workforce issues, graduate medical education, and more. As a result, Pierce works with a variety of interested parties across the federal government including the Department of Health and Human Services, and with members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Natalia Solenkova, MD
Dr. Solenkova is an international medical graduate from Russia who has practiced critical care medicine in the U.S. for many years. A longtime IMG advocate, she has mentored countless physicians through residency applications and early career transitions. She has chaired the AMA's IMGS Governing Council, is active in the AMA IMGS, participated in the ACP's IMG Workgroup, and has published and presented on IMG issues at state and national meetings.
Deepu Sudhakaran, MD, MBA
Dr. Sudhakaran is chair of the AMA International Medical Graduate Section (IMGS) which represents nearly 60,000 AMA physician members nationwide. A triple board-certified surgeon in general surgery, surgical critical care, and bariatric surgery, Dr. Sudhakaran has spent over a decade building a career defined by clinical excellence and entrepreneurial drive. He is the founder of Chesterfield Bariatric Surgery and Zae Weight Wellness and Aesthetics in St. Louis, Missouri., a physician-owned practice offering robotic, minimally invasive, and metabolic surgery alongside multidisciplinary care spanning nutrition, behavioral support, and wellness. He also serves as an associate professor of surgery, mentoring the next generation of medical students and surgical trainees.
