Dr. Shervin Mortazavi | From Global to Local: A Roadmap for IMGs Preparing for U.S. Residency


Closing the Gaps, Building Confidence, and Standing Out Where It Matters Most



For International Medical Graduates (IMGs), applying to a U.S. residency program is both a dream and a daunting challenge. Despite holding years of training, clinical experience, and even advanced degrees, many IMGs arrive at the final stages of the process — residency interviews and selection — feeling unsure of how to navigate the expectations of a new system.

What’s important to remember is this: You are not behind — you are becoming. And the journey to a U.S. residency is not about starting over, but about learning how to translate your strengths into a language the U.S. medical community understands and values.

Here’s a practical and motivational roadmap to help you prepare, present your best self, and increase your chances of matching successfully.

1. Redefine What “Preparation” Means

For many IMGs, preparation has always meant knowledge — mastering textbooks, protocols, and procedures. But in the U.S. residency process, preparation is just as much about presentation as it is about education.

You must be able to:

  • Tell your story clearly

  • Show cultural and clinical awareness

  • Demonstrate adaptability and humility

  • Exhibit strong communication skills

This means preparing not just for exams, but for every interaction — from clinical rotations to interviews to thank-you emails. Every step is a reflection of your readiness.

2. Turn Your Story into Your Strength

Your path is different — and that’s not a weakness. It’s a story worth sharing.

Were you the first in your family to pursue medicine? Did you treat patients during a national crisis? Did you work in resource-limited settings? These experiences build depth and resilience — qualities that matter in residency.

The key is to connect your past to your future. How has your background shaped your clinical instincts? How will it help you care for a diverse U.S. population? Let your story serve as proof that you bring not just qualifications, but perspective.

3. Speak the Language of U.S. Medicine — Literally and Culturally

Even fluent English speakers can struggle in interviews if they don’t understand the communication style expected in American healthcare.

In many countries, medicine is formal and hierarchical. In the U.S., programs want to see collaboration, empathy, and approachability.

How to build that fluency:

  • Practice mock interviews with native speakers or experienced mentors

  • Watch U.S.-based medical interview videos to observe tone and body language

  • Get feedback on your delivery, not just your answers

  • Learn U.S. medical terminology, abbreviations, and patient interaction norms

As Dr. Shervin Mortazavi, a long-time IMG mentor, advises:

“Interviewers remember how you made them feel — not just what you said. Confidence, connection, and clarity go further than memorized answers.”

4. Own Your Weaknesses, But Focus on Growth

Yes, you may have low scores. You may have a gap in training. You may not have U.S. citizenship.

But remember this: no candidate is perfect — not even U.S. graduates.

The difference is in how you frame it. A weakness is only a liability if you haven’t worked to improve it.

Instead of hiding it:

  • Acknowledge it

  • Share what you’ve done to overcome it (extra rotations, language courses, mentorships)

  • Redirect the focus to your strengths (clinical performance, adaptability, passion for learning)

Residency programs appreciate self-awareness and maturity. Show that you are evolving — that’s what training is all about.

5. Research Like Your Match Depends on It — Because It Does

Not all residency programs are equal — and not all are equally welcoming to IMGs.

Invest time in:

  • Researching IMG-friendly programs (look at past match data, interview feedback, alumni backgrounds)

  • Reading about each program’s clinical strengths, culture, and mission

  • Learning about faculty interests and ongoing research

  • Connecting with current or former residents via LinkedIn, forums, or alumni networks

In your interview, speak specifically about why you chose that program. Generic answers get generic results. Personalized answers open doors.

6. Treat the Interview as a Conversation, Not an Examination

One of the biggest mindset shifts for IMGs is understanding that interviews are not about having all the right answers — they’re about being someone people want to work with.

Focus on:

  • Being warm and authentic

  • Expressing your enthusiasm clearly

  • Listening carefully and engaging thoughtfully

  • Asking good questions at the end

Interviewers aren’t just listening to what you say — they’re imagining what it will be like to work with you during a 24-hour shift. Let your personality — not just your resume — do the talking.

7. Mentorship is Not Optional — It’s a Multiplier

Trying to go through the IMG match process alone is like trying to learn surgery from a textbook. You need someone who has been there.

Seek mentors who:

  • Understand the residency process

  • Have experience in the U.S. medical system

  • Will give you honest, constructive feedback

  • Can connect you with others or even offer shadowing opportunities

Mentors like Dr. Mortazavi have helped hundreds of IMGs not only improve their applications, but improve how they see themselves. And that can be the key to changing everything.

Final Thought: You Belong in This System

If you’ve come this far, you already have what it takes. You’ve passed exams in a second language. You’ve trained in demanding environments. You’ve crossed borders, both literal and professional.

Now it’s time to take that next step — not just hoping you’ll be chosen, but believing you are ready.

The U.S. healthcare system needs doctors like you — diverse, determined, and deeply dedicated.

Your job is to show them you’re already one of them.



Dr. Mortazavi was past President of The Bronx County Medical Society and continues to serve as Director of the Nursing and Rehabilitation Division at Essen Healthcare. His extensive leadership experience, hospital affiliations, and deep understanding of clinical practice in the U.S. make him a trusted resource for IMGs seeking both career advancement and community. Director of Post-Acute Care Services at Bronx care Hospital, Dr. Mortazavi has been the recipient of Achievement Awards from New York State Governor and New York City Mayor and has also received Congressional Special Recognition award from the United States Congress.

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