International Medicine ProgramsGeorge Washington University Medical Center

International Residency Programs

The goal of this program is to provide a strong clinical experience as well as a basic overview of the American medical system as it is carried out at The George Washington University Medical Center. Residents can expect to participate, with their American colleagues, in the work of a medical center that enjoys an outstanding international reputation for interdisciplinary coordination of education, research, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

"Resident" will be the term used for all international physicians who meet all eligibility requirements for residency training as outlined in the ACGME's "Graduate Medical Education Directory." This includes, but is not limited to, certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Physicians who are eligible for postgraduate training in the United States will be considered residents and will be allowed to have patient contact. Residents will be eligible for assignment to The George Washington University Medical Center for a period of no less than one year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be non-US, non-Canadian citizens, and non US Permanent resident visa holders;
  • Applicants must be financially sponsored by their government or by a home country health institution;
  • Applicants must master written and spoken English;
  • Applicants must hold a currently valid certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and meet all other eligibility requirements
  • All international residents must be sponsored on a J-1 clinical visa;
  • Applications for residents must be submitted to the Office of International Medicine Programs at The George Washington University Medical Center at least nine months prior to the anticipated start date.

Certification of Training

All residents will receive a certificate upon successful completion of their training at The George Washington University Medical Center regardless of the length of stay. If a resident does not perform in a satisfactory manner, he or she will receive a "letter of completion" which acknowledges the length of training at The George Washington University Medical Center.

Admission Process

  1. Applications for designated resident positions will be submitted to the Office of International Medicine Programs by October 15 of the year prior to admission to the program. The applications will be reviewed by the Office of International Medicine Programs for completeness. Any incomplete application will be brought to the attention of the sponsoring institution's representative in charge of the program who will obtain the information needed to complete the application.
  2. Completed application must contain: Curriculum vitae, copies of USMLE I & II, scores, medical degree, medical transcript, ECFMG certificate, three recommendation letter and an objective statement.
  3. Completed applications will be forwarded to the by Office of Graduate Medical Education, and in turn, to the appropriate department chairs by December 31.
  4. Applications will be reviewed by the appropriate departments and acceptance or denial will be forwarded to the Graduate Medical Education Office and then to the Office of International Medicine Programs no later than November 15.
  5. Communication of acceptance or denial will be from the Office of International Medicine Programs' Clinical Coordinator and Executive Director to the applicant with a copy going to the sponsoring institution's designated person. A letter of acceptance must be provided by the applicant within two weeks after receipt of the offer.
  6. Upon approval of the position, the Office of International Medicine Programs will develop a Letter of Agreement (LOA) that will dictate the terms of the acceptance and send it to the Sponsor for signature along with the financial form and applicant's acceptance Contract.
  7. An application for sponsorship of the J-1 visa will be completed. This process includes issuing a resident contract which must be signed by the Director, Graduate Medical Education for International Medicine Programs and the applicant.
  8. Submission of the J-1 visa application to the ECFMG should take place no later than January.
  9. Notification of sponsorship from the ECFMG for the J-1 clinical visa will be sent to the Office of Graduate Medical Education. The Graduate Medical Education Office will forward necessary documents (DS-2019) through the Office of International Medicine Programs to the applicant or his or her designee upon receipt.
  10. Departmental communications with international residents must go through the offices of International Medicine Programs and Graduate Medical Education.

Any resident who is interested in starting his or her training prior to July 1 may contact the Office of International Medicine Programs for additional information about availability of programs.

Length of Appointment

Residents will be eligible for assignment to The George Washington University Medical Center for a period of no less than one year. The appointment would be effective June 23 or July 1 depending on the specialty. This would allow the resident member to start the program with other new residents as well as participate in orientation.

Cost Estimates and Payment Procedures

Costs, Fees, and Tuition

A charge of $75,000 per year for each full-time equivalent for teaching and administration will be charged to the sponsoring institution.

Payment Procedures

  1. The Sponsor will provide a financial guarantee upon the resident's acceptance and the name and address of the designated financial officer;
  2. At the beginning of each year, GWUMC will send bills for the teaching and administration costs to the Sponsor, who will pay GWUMC within three weeks of receiving the bills.

GWUMC will not be responsible for payment of the cost of travel to and from the resident's home country; living expenses (including but not limited to, housing, food, and transportation); health insurance; books; and educational supplies. Teaching and administration costs paid by the Sponsor will not be used by GWUMC to cover any of the foregoing expenses. These expenses shall be solely the responsibility of the Sponsor.

Resident Salary

Residents must be provided with appropriate financial support by the sponsoring institution which is comparable to the salary paid to other residents at The George Washington University Medical Center. The amount of such financial support shall be set by the sponsor's standards and shall also meet the ECFMG requirements. The George Washington University Medical Center does not provide salary for any trainees accepted under this program. (See ECFMG rules and regulations at: www.ecfmg.org).

Evaluation

Each resident will be assigned a mentor who will meet with the resident on a monthly basis to provide supervision, monitor and evaluate performance and provide a written annual progress report to the IMP and GME offices. The mentor will be responsible for communicating any potential problem with the resident to GME and IMP. All correspondence with the sponsor must go through the IMP office. The mentor must obtain prior approval from GME and IMP to communicate with sponsoring entities directly.

For More Information Contact:

Office of International Medicine Programs
The George Washington University Medical Center
2300 I Street, NW, Suite 708
Washington, DC 20037

Phone: (202) 994-2796
Fax: (202) 994-0074
E-Mail: impjss@gwumc.edu

Or visit the Office of Graduate Medical Education at: www.gwumc.edu/smhs/gme.