In this episode, we go over the specifics regarding the Match and try to uncover the process involved in the application for a residency position in the USA. The NRMP is a year-long process that involves a lot of documents gathering for application support, interviewing and ranking the programs with the purpose to make you stand out as a highly competitive applicant with the goal to have a successful outcome: "You Have Matched". Thanks for listening.  www.FMG-IMGCast.com / Alonso Osorio, M.D. "

The National Residency Matching Program / The Match

RESIDENCY APPLICATION & VIRTUAL INTERVIEWING The 2020-2021 USMLE / ECFMG Cycle for interviewing through ERAS has opened, and applications are currently under review. As we move forward with Interview offerings, the need to adapt and transition into a virtual platform of telecommunication has been a rapid process that will be implemented and launched right away. For the Residency Programs, this has not been an easy challenge, and the implementation had to be expeditious. Multiple organizations have played a significant role in advising the proper way to conduct a fair, humane, and unbiassed interviewing process that will allow the selection process for the coveted spots in a reasonable fashion without turmoil. Despite all the COVID related measures taken regarding social distancing, one of them is directly impacting us. We must adapt, train, and prepare for the virtual interviewing set up that will be in place. A few suggestions of advice to consider before venturing in this process to ensure adequate preparation:  Identify a Quiet & Suitable Environment. Avoid any potential distractions. Use a professional backdrop. Beware of the Unconscious bias. Technological set up (Hardware / Software). Familiarize with the Interview Materials (Read the "Game Rules"). Verify that the residency program has your contact information. Personal hygiene and professional dress code. Double-check that technology is working correctly. Take notes. Be on time. Be professional. Be thankful for the opportunity.  Best of luck with this new virtual environment – and as always, be flexible and adapt to the "new way of doing things" after the COVID19 Pandemic. I only wish that soon we all come back to our previous "normal" in which human interaction was essential for the identification of the proper applicant, that will be the right residency for the residency position. Programs and Ruling associations are working hard to optimize the process and make it as humane as possible. For now, prepare well, so you will "Shine" through the screen. I hope this helps! Alonso Osorio, M.D. FACEP, FAAEM, FAAFP. www.OsorioMD.com www.FMG-IMGCast.com alonsojosorio@fmg-imgcast.com / info@osoriomd.com

Episode #45: Virtual Residency Interviews - Tips for Acing your Interview Day & How not get overwhelmed by Technology!

A listener's request! - We do listen to our followers and adopt suggestions for future guests in our podcast. Today we invited Dr. Ihsan Irfan Mamoun, specialized in Radiology - He studied Medical School at Jordan University of Science and Technology, with a Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery, MBBS. He also has a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Ashland University and completed a Residency Training in the Specialty of Radiology at the Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, OH (To include an Internal Medicine Preliminary year at the same institution). Then he followed it with two fellowships, one in Neuro-Radiology and another one in Pediatric Radiology.  He represents the "Dream come true" for an IMG. He explains his path and the dedication needed to make himself an attractive applicant to such a competitive specialty. We talk about the specific qualifications required to have an opportunity to make it into Radiology, and we describe how crucial is the process of having strong LORs, PS, and Research experience related to the specialty of your choice. As you listen, we also talk about a topic of interest, which is Preliminary and Transitional years, and how important it is to follow the correct application process for the ERAS.   I hope this episode brings some enlightenment and expands on topics that are crucial to obtain a position for GME in the USA. Thanks for listening, and remember, to leave feedback, a review, and share it with friends and colleagues. We also have a YouTube Channel where you can also listen to the content and material: https://www.youtube.com/user/alonsojosorio. We are available in pretty much every global platform where podcasts can be found and downloaded. Spread the word; it will help me grow!  Thanks,   Alonso Osorio, M.D.  www.FMG-IMGCast.com (Soon to become www.OsorioMD.com)  alonsojosorio@FMG-IMGCast.com

Episode #38 - How to get a spot for a Residency in Radiology, very competitive, But is it possible?: Ihsan Mamoun, M.D.

"IF YOU LOVE A HEALTHCARE WORKER, PRAY DAILY THAT GOD WILL RENEW THEIR PASSION, JOY, AND CONTENTMENT IN THEIR CALLING. BECAUSE WHILE THE WORLD FIGHTS OVER A SHOT, THE MEDICAL FIELD IS FIGHTING TO KEEP THEIR DESIRE TO SERVE" And here I include the 2 statements made on social media that I have found moving and very appropriate for our current situation:  I'm vaccinated and, no, I don't know what's in it—neither this vaccine nor the ones I had as a child; or what’s in that Big Mac, that pumpkin-spice flavoring, or in hot dogs or chicken tenders; or what’s in other drugs used for other treatments … whether the treatment is for cancer, AIDS, or polyarthritis.     I don't actually know what's in Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other pain meds that almost everyone takes; I know it cures my headaches and my pain. Or what’s in cough medicine, that allergy nasal spray, insulin, or high blood pressure meds.     I also don't know what's in ink for tattoos, vaping cigs, or every ingredient in my soap, shampoo, or deodorants. Likewise, I don’t know what’s in lipstick.     I don’t know the long-term effect of cell phone use or whether or not that restaurant I just ate at REALLY used clean utensils, fresh foods, and whether the employees there washed their hands.   In short ...   There's a lot of things I don't know and never will.     I know one thing: life is short, concise. And I still want to do something with my life other than just going to work every day or staying locked in my home. I still want to travel and hug people without fear and experience more of my life "before.”     As a child and as an adult, I've been vaccinated for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, chickenpox, smallpox, and quite a few others (as an adult, I’ve been vaccinated for tetanus and hepatitis, and each fall, I get a flu shot that is less effective at preventing flu than the Covid vaccine is at preventing Covid-19). Yet, my parents and I trusted science and never had to suffer through or transmit any childhood diseases that used to kill children and adults.   I'm vaccinated, not to please the government but:    * to not die from Covid-19. * to NOT clutter a hospital bed if I get sick. * to hug my loved ones without fearing I may transmit a deadly virus to them. * to not have to do PCR or antigenic tests to go to a concert, go to a restaurant, go on holidays, and many more things to come. * to live my life. * to have my kids/grandkids go back to school and play sports—safely. * to make these days of Covid-19 become just an old memory. * to protect us—all of us.      Finally, Dr. Jeffrey Dietzenbach, an Iowa Clinic general surgeon, wrote the following post last week, and his message is too good not to share.     "COVID observations from a general surgeon… Full disclosure: this is my first Facebook post ever; I hope I’m doing this right! Also, I am not an expert on COVID-19 or infectious diseases.     This pandemic has been long, difficult, polarizing, historical, exasperating, and confusing. I can complain about it… but not that much. I have had no loved ones or close friends who have become extremely sick or died from this virus. I personally have not contracted this virus.   As a general surgeon, the only care I have had to administer to a COVID-positive patient is the occasional appendectomy or gallbladder removal. I’ve been lucky enough not to have to spend countless hours in the ICU managing ventilators and medical care. Those healthcare providers are the real heroes.     However, one thing that has really perplexed me throughout this whole pandemic is the lack of humility—namely, the lack of humility when it comes to expert opinion.     I like to travel. Do I get on the tarmac and inspect the plane's mechanics or discuss the flight plan with the pilot or tower? Nope. I’m not an expert in that. But, I have the humility and faith that those people are experts and will get me where I need to be safe.   I like a nice yard.   Do I tell my lawn care company how much nitrogen and weed control to use? Nope. I don’t have the time to devote to learn about that. I’ll leave it up to the lawn care expert.   I hope I never get sued. Would I defend myself in court with a total lack of legal knowledge? Nope. I’ll leave that up to the legal experts.     When my car needs to be fixed, do I tell the mechanic how to repair it? Nope. I know nothing about auto repair.     Do I walk around talking about COVID-19 and vaccinations and constantly posting about it? Nope, I’m not an infectious disease doctor or a pulmonologist/critical care doctor.     I get it. Frustration about closing schools and businesses, social distancing, limiting travel, using masks, etc., is understandable.   However, the benefits and philosophy behind some of these things are not black and white. The thing I don’t understand is this distrust of expert healthcare providers and lack of humility.   Biostatistics is not easy.     True research (not just looking through Google and social media) and reviewing data, studies, and articles is not easy.     Believe me, as a General Surgery Program Director; we hold six journal clubs a year reviewing the most recent surgical literature. I have the humility to know that I am not a statistician and by no means an expert in this field.     You can find an “expert” on COVID-19 anywhere. Online, at work, at the dinner table, on MSN or Fox News, especially social media. I find it interesting that there are many infectious disease specialists and pulmonologists across this planet. I don’t recall any of them suggesting anything counter to the most recent accepted best practices, based on the most updated information we had at that moment in time.     Yes, things change. The virus changes, data and statistics change, discoveries change, and new information emerges. One thing that doesn’t change is the expertise of scientists, infectious disease doctors, and pulmonologists. I’m a doctor, and I think I’m a pretty good one (one could even say an “expert” at surgery), but when it comes to my kids' health, I will follow my pediatrician’s recommendations.   Likewise, when it comes to a vaccine, I will follow the generally accepted recommendations by the EXPERTS.     And…when I start to see a brown spot on my lawn, I’m calling my lawn care guy.     Ask yourself how many times you put your life at risk by humbly and faithfully putting your trust in a person. Eating at a restaurant, walking over a grate on the sidewalk, taking an Uber, or for God’s sake, going on a carnival ride at the Iowa State Fair! This doesn’t make you a “sheeple.” This happens all the time, every day.     All I’m asking for is a little humility and trust, not in me or this post, but experts."   These are not my words, but I felt so identified by them that it was very hard not to share with you all!!!   Thanks for Listening,   Alonso Osorio, M.D. 

E74: Reflections on COVID19 Version 2.0 in 2021

Episode # 52: How to Build Credit & What's a Credit Score - Tips for Immigrants! Experiential Podcast Series - Part 4 When immigrating to the USA, most of the time, as you surf the Financial and Economic market, you will come across the term "Credit Score" and what is your "Credit Worthiness." And as you become familiar with it, here are some tips of advice and understanding what it means. A credit score is just a three-digit number, but it can have a significant impact on your financial life. Your credit scores (most people have more than one) can affect your ability to qualify for a loan or get a credit card by giving potential lenders a sense of how likely you will repay your debts. Understanding credit score ranges can help you assess whether your credit may need some work. And knowing the factors that affect your credit scores can help you identify how to improve them over time. Credit scores are calculated using the information in your credit reports. Each of the three main consumer credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — produce a credit report with input from lenders, credit card issuers, and other financial institutions. Your credit reports include information about your credit history and activity. The credit bureaus rely on credit scoring models such as VantageScore and FICO to translate all this information into a number. While each credit scoring model uses a unique formula, the models generally account for similar credit information. Your scores are based on factors such as your history of paying bills, the amount of available credit you're using, and the types of debt you have (we'll cover these factors in detail later). Federal law prohibits credit scores from factoring in personal information like your race, gender, religion, marital status, or national origin. That being said, it's not necessarily true that the American financial system is unbiased — or that credit lending and credit scoring systems don't consider factors affected by bias. So, what's a good credit score? Though it varies across credit scoring models, a score of 670 or higher is generally considered good. For FICO, a good score ranges from 670 to 739. VantageScore deems a score of 661 to 780 to be good. A credit score that falls in the good to the excellent range can be a game-changer. While financial institutions look at various factors when considering a loan or credit application, higher credit scores generally correlate with a higher likelihood of getting approved. A good credit score can also unlock the door to lower interest rates and more competitive terms. And if you have excellent credit scores, you have an even better chance of being offered the best rates and terms available. On the other hand, if you have low or bad credit scores, you may be able to get approved by some lenders, but your rates will likely be much higher than if you had good credit. You may also be required to make a down payment on a loan or get a cosigner. Credit scores depend on these factors:  Payment history  For both the FICO and VantageScore 3.0 scoring models, a history of on-time payments is the most influential factor in determining your credit scores. Your payment history helps a lender or creditor assess how likely you are to pay back a loan.  Credit usage or utilization  Your credit utilization is calculated by dividing your total credit card balances by your entire credit card limits. A higher credit utilization rate can signal to a lender that you have too much debt and may not be able to pay back your new loan or credit card balance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30%. This may not always be possible based on your overall credit profile and your short-term goals, but it's a good benchmark to keep in mind.  Length of credit history  More extended credit history can increase your credit scores by showing that you have more experience using credit. Your record includes the length of time your credit accounts have been open and when they were last used. If you can, avoid closing older accounts, which can shorten your credit history.  Credit mix and types  A healthy mix of accounts, including revolving lines of credit (like credit cards) and installment loans (such as car loans, student loans, personal loans, and mortgages), can help build your scores. Lenders want to see that you're able to handle and pay back different types of credit.  Recent credit inquiries  When you apply for credit or a loan, the financial institution will conduct a hard inquiry on your credit that shows up on your credit reports. Credit scoring models consider these recent hard inquiries when calculating your scores. Opening multiple new accounts within a short period could suggest to a lender that you're struggling financially. In summary, No one credit score holds more weight than the others. Different lenders use different credit scores. Regardless of the score used, making on-time payments, limiting new credit applications, maintaining a mix of credit cards and loans, and minimizing debt can help keep your credit in good shape. I hope this helps to clarify some doubts, Best, Alonso Osorio, M.D. info@osoriomd.com 

Episode # 52: How to build credit & What's a Credit Score - Tips for Immigrants!

Dr. Alonso J. Osorio-Giraldo, M.D. was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia. He has been in medical practice now for 18.5 successful years.  He is a graduate of the Universidad Industrial de Santander, Colombia, and immigrated to the USA more than 18 years ago with the dream of becoming a physician trained in North America. Initially, he trained at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Family Medicine from 2003-2006, was in private practice for 2 years, and went back for a second residency training in Emergency Medicine from 2008-2011 at the University of South Florida / Tampa General Hospital. He currently holds the credentials of Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (ABEM), Board Certification in Family Medicine (ABFM), and is proudly a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, The American Academy of Family Physicians, and The American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He currently resides in Tampa, Florida & practices 100% clinical Emergency Medicine, and has a special passion for quality medical documentation and medical scribing, and mostly a deep understanding of the hard work required to immigrate into the United States and navigate Graduate Medical Education (GME) as a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG). Please join the show!