Dr. Shervin Mortazavi: Guiding International Medical Graduates to Master Residency Interviews
A Bronx Physician Helping IMGs Build Confidence, Communication, and Cultural Fluency in the U.S. Medical System
For many International Medical Graduates (IMGs), the residency interview is the moment that defines their entire journey. After years of studying, testing, and dreaming of practicing medicine in the United States, everything comes down to a single conversation — an opportunity to make an impression that could open the door to their medical future.
Few understand the gravity of that moment better than Dr. Shervin Mortazavi, MD, a respected Internist and medical leader based in Bronx, New York. With more than 26 years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Mortazavi has dedicated part of his career to helping IMGs not only prepare for these high-stakes interviews but approach them with the confidence, clarity, and professionalism that residency directors seek.
Currently serving as Director of the Nursing and Rehabilitation Division at Essen Healthcare, Director of Post-Acute Care Services at BronxCare Hospital, and Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Mortazavi brings unmatched insight into what makes an applicant stand out. His mentorship focuses on more than just interview questions — it’s about communication, mindset, and mastering the culture of American medicine.
Why the Residency Interview Matters
The residency interview is more than a formality; it’s a comprehensive assessment of who you are as a future physician. While exam scores and credentials may earn you an invitation, what happens in that interview room determines whether you’re selected.
“Residency programs are looking for more than academic excellence,” Dr. Mortazavi explains. “They want to see how you think, how you communicate, and how you handle pressure. They’re evaluating character, composure, and compatibility.”
Having navigated this process himself as an International Medical Graduate, Dr. Mortazavi knows that IMGs often face additional challenges — cultural differences, language barriers, and unfamiliar expectations. His mission is to close that gap by equipping candidates with the tools and confidence to present their true potential.
Step One: Preparation Beyond the Resume
Dr. Mortazavi teaches that success begins long before the interview day. His first advice to IMGs is simple: research deeply.
“Know everything you can about the program, its faculty, and its strengths,” he advises. “If you can reference something specific about their hospital or a paper written by one of their attendings, it shows genuine interest and preparation.”
He encourages candidates to connect with current residents and alumni to gain firsthand insight into the program culture. Building professional relationships — even brief ones — can make a difference when recommendations are discussed behind the scenes.
Dr. Mortazavi also emphasizes the value of preparation visits. “If the hospital is local, drive there before your interview. Know the route, parking situation, and timing. Small details can make a big impact on your confidence.”
Step Two: The Art of Communication
For many IMGs, communication is the greatest hurdle. In their home countries, medical interviews may be formal and hierarchical; in the U.S., they are conversational and personality-driven.
Dr. Mortazavi helps IMGs adapt to this dynamic through mock interviews, feedback sessions, and conversational coaching. He teaches candidates how to balance professionalism with warmth — how to sound confident without arrogance and how to express humility without insecurity.
“The way you connect matters as much as what you say,” he explains. “Interviewers remember genuine enthusiasm, not memorized responses.”
He also works with IMGs on nonverbal communication — posture, eye contact, facial expression, and tone. “When you smile, make eye contact, and speak clearly, you project competence and confidence,” he says. “Body language often communicates more than words.”
Step Three: Answering with Strategy and Substance
Dr. Mortazavi prepares IMGs for the questions that most often define the interview:
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“Tell me about yourself.” He encourages candidates to use this as their personal highlight reel — summarizing education, experience, and passion in a way that demonstrates both skill and humanity.
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“What are your weaknesses?” He teaches them to acknowledge a minor, fixable weakness and explain how they’re actively improving it.
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“Why did you choose to train in the U.S.?” He advises framing this as a choice driven by ambition and a desire for excellence, not out of necessity or dissatisfaction abroad.
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“Why our program?” Dr. Mortazavi stresses the importance of specificity — referencing the program’s unique opportunities, research focus, or teaching structure.
He also reminds candidates to prepare for clinical scenario questions, which are becoming increasingly common. “You’re not expected to have the right diagnosis immediately,” he explains. “What matters is your thought process — how you prioritize life-threatening conditions and when you ask for help.”
Step Four: Handling Pressure with Poise
Nerves are natural — especially for IMGs facing unfamiliar systems. Dr. Mortazavi integrates stress management techniques into his mentorship. He teaches deep breathing, mindfulness, and visualization to help candidates stay composed.
“Confidence is not the absence of anxiety,” he says. “It’s the ability to manage it.”
He also reminds IMGs that humility and adaptability are powerful strengths. “Programs worry when candidates seem overconfident,” he explains. “Show that you’re eager to learn, receptive to feedback, and ready to grow within their system.”
Step Five: Following Up with Professionalism
Dr. Mortazavi encourages candidates to send personalized thank-you notes or emails after each interview. While some program directors may overlook them, a thoughtful message demonstrates respect and professionalism.
He also advises maintaining contact with residents or mentors who can advocate on the applicant’s behalf — sometimes a simple endorsement can tip the balance in a close decision.
More Than an Interview — A Mindset
For Dr. Mortazavi, preparing IMGs for residency interviews isn’t just about technique; it’s about transformation. His goal is to help candidates see themselves as future physicians in the U.S. — professionals who belong in the system they aspire to join.
“An interview is not an interrogation,” he reflects. “It’s a conversation between future colleagues. When you see yourself that way, everything changes — your tone, your confidence, your connection.”
Through his guidance, hundreds of IMGs have learned to approach interviews not with fear, but with purpose — ready to share their stories, their passion, and their potential.
“Medicine is universal,” says Dr. Mortazavi. “The ability to connect with people — whether in an interview or with a patient — is what makes great doctors everywhere.”
And for the IMGs who train under his mentorship, that lesson often becomes the defining key to success — not only in the match process, but in their entire medical careers.
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