A first generation Haitian-American Doctor determined to make a difference: Dr. Nachelle Aurelien reveals her secrets to success! (IMG Roadmap Series #105)
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As an IMG, whether you have realized it or not, you are a pioneer. You’re doing what many others have failed to do and you’re doing it with finesse. Regardless, the journey to residency and post residency life can be complicated, but you have options! Dr. Nachelle Aurelien is here to share some of these options with you so that you can take ownership of your medical success story. Keep listening for the juicy details!
Here are some highlights of Dr. Aurelien’s background and journey thus far:
She is a first generation Haitian American
Was first person in her family to attend medical school
Attended the American University of Antigua, thus making her an IMG
After medical school, she didn’t match the first time which was a blessing in disguise
Unfortunately lost two relatives during medical school
Needed a pause before residency within which time she seized some research opportunities
Applied for residency a second time but didn’t match
Before residency, she did a two year post doc fellowship at Yale Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis program where she got the opportunity to work in a wet lab
Completed her Internal Medicine residency in Naples Florida, where she formed part of the inaugural class
Completed one year chief residency
Missed New York City so applied for opportunities there and got through with a Clinical Point of Care Ultrasound fellowship at Cornell University.
Why didn’t she match the first time and how she did she do better the second time?
She took step 2 at the beginning of the year in which she applied and so, she got her score too late.
The second time she applied, she had just started working, wasn’t very familiar with her superiors. This resulted in her receiving only generic LORs and one of these did not even make it in time.
Therefore, she worked on getting quality, personalized LORS.
She stressed in her personal statement her being from Haiti and her ability to relate to the Creole population.
What is Dr. Aurelien’s day-to-day life like now?
There are so many ways to personalize your medical career to your particular needs and wants.
Dr. Aurelien completed her residency and then became a chief resident to learn more about the administrative side of medicine
She applied to a Clinical Point of Care Ultrasound fellowship program and she states that this was the best thing she has ever done.
She muses that the Clinical Point of Care system is so precise, advanced and efficient that it has become one of the best tools in her arsenal for diagnostics.
When she makes a clinical judgment it is not as invasive since the system is effective and can be used on several parts of the body.
Being a first generation doctor, she is able to connect to patients on this level, to show them more closely how the body works and to convince them to take their medical care seriously.
She currently serves as a locums traveling doctor.
During her fellowship and over the pandemic, she felt burnt out and she wanted more balance in her life.
She has always loved traveling and spending time with her family which influenced her to choose this route.
Your medical journey should be yours and yours only and should be defined by you. After residency, you have the liberty to choose.
What are some pieces of advice for those preparing their rank list?
As a chief resident, she would look at programs with people who resembled her to ensure that the environment is welcoming to IMGs.
She advises IMGs to go with the program that is closer to home so that you can possibly save money and have an emotional support system.
Look for certain interests that will further your application and help you gain US clinical experience.
Look at where you want to live. You should consider your life outside of medicine.
What’s Dr. Aurelien’s advice for those who did not get interviews and have to SOAP?
It’s not easy but one SOAP interview can be life changing.
Improve your personal statement and application to ensure matching this time. Be prepared!
Don’t give up. If it doesn’t happen, you can always apply again next year.
Most trainees are just working for their hours. Be different. Take ownership of the patient, interact with the rest of the staff, be involved, doing the reading that’s necessary and ask for guidance.
Interview coaching helps, so you should find a mentor to guide you with this. Practice makes perfect. How can you reframe your weaknesses into strengths?
What’s Dr. Aurelien’s advice for those preparing to apply in September in 2023?
Make sure you do well in your steps
Learn your study technique
Know who you are
Use tools such as Medquest to prepare
Start rounding up your LORs
Decide on what specialty you will narrow in on
Work on your personal statement – let it reflect the real you. Be upfront about your “failures.” How did you change the narrative to get better?
Have something that you enjoy to do to relieve your stress, and to stay relatable and human.
Work on your social skills because they can be important when interacting with patients.
Rapid fire: Who is Dr. Aurelien?
What is her favorite movie? As a hopeless romantic she loves Pride and Prejudice and All about the Benjamins.
What’s her favorite food? Riz colle and jonjon with pikliz.
What’s her mantra for success? Bet on yourself and prove yourself right.
Deal with impostor syndrome – Recognize all of the things that are stacked against you that you succeeded despite. When you get down, don’t stay down. Do not give up on yourself. You are the pioneer you need to make the change for your family. You will always have people cheering you on. You are a phenomenal physician. You are special, you didn’t allow yourself to let go of your dream.
You can reach out to Dr. Aurelien via:
@nachemd on Instagram
@nachemd on tiktok
And Nachelle Aurelien on Linkedin.
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