IMG Roadmap Series #61: Dr. Ash Soni, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic surgery is a difficult specialty to match into. This is a fact.

Regardless of whether the applicant is an IMG or a U.S. graduate this stays a fact.

One study showed that according to step 1 scores, matching in plastic surgery has become much more competitive in recent years and the average step 1 score of incoming plastics residents has risen from 233 in 2006 to 247 in 2017.

In fact, according to National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data, between 2008 and 2012, the mean number of residents accepted into integrated plastic surgery residencies was 92 and the mean number of IMGs admitted was 4 per year. Between 2013 and 2017, while the mean number of accepted residents grew to 144, the mean number of IMGs admitted remained at 4 per year.

Today’s guest makes up that minority of plastic surgeons.

Dr. Soni attended Imperial Medical School in London. While in school he began electives in the US to get a feel for whether he would pursue residency in the US. He started with a match into a research fellowship at Cornel leading to a match into general surgery at Johns Hopkins. His time in the US was rounded out with a match in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Seattle at University of Washington, followed by a year long fellowship back in the UK. After all his training, Dr. Soni started his own private clinic, The Soni Clinic.

Along with his story of determination and growth, Dr. Soni gives us a few pieces of advice to carry along our own journeys.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The importance of doing the early background work and research to prepare before coming to the US

  • The importance of setting standards for yourself as an IMG

  • The advantage of being as published as possible before applying for residency

  • The benefit of applying broadly for general surgery residency positions versus specialties

Dr. Soni also gives us some important takeaways:

  • It’s important to know what your worth

  • You shouldn’t settle when you have the opportunity for something better

  • Take the time to find institutions that respect and invest in the success of IMGs

  • Be realistic and know what is attainable for you

  • Nothing is impossible - it just depends on how hard you’re willing to work

If you would like to reach out to Dr. Soni, you can connect with him on Instagram @thesoniclinic

You can read his previous interview on the IMG Roadmap series by clicking HERE.

Listen to the full episode at the links below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap-podcast/id1490731292

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45NNJ7ewtqynqyssbwm1xz

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mOGMzY2EwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1490731292/the-img-roadmap-podcast

RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-img-roadmap-podcast-GE0MMg

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