IMG Roadmap Series #70: Dr. Ayesha Baig, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Do you have questions about what exactly is a pre-match and how to land one when applying for residency? Are you anxious about your move to the US after you've completed your international medical education? Managing the hectic life of a pediatric gastroenterologist while being a full-time wife and mother, IMG Dr. Ayesha Baig shows us that with enough determination, focus and sacrifice, we all have the potential to achieve our wildest dreams. Keep listening to find out the details of her success story which included her writing medical licensing exams in three different countries!
Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, Dr. Ayesha completed medical school and then decided to move to the United Kingdom. However, after having written the GMC examinations there, she found out that the UK was not giving medical training visas to international graduates at the time. This prompted her to attempt to practice in the UAE, where her husband was located at the time, which required her to take the relevant exams.
Eventually, though, she decided to move with her family to the and after having taken all of the USMLE steps in only one year, Dr. Ayesha landed a pre-match residency position at the Brookdale University hospital in New York, followed by a three year fellowship in gastroenterology which she completed in 2020. When asked how she was able to land a pre-match, Dr. Ayesha advised that while she was indeed blessed to have received such an opportunity, the following tips may help IMGs to improve their chances of doing the same:
Even if your scores are not stellar, focus on developing the other parts of your CV and market yourself well.
The right amount and quality of experience is key. Wherever you are, try to engage in as many observerships, research, and clinical opportunities as possible.
Try to excel at your interview and present the best version of yourself at all times.
And finally, as we are surely all wondering, how was Dr. Ayesha able to pull all of this off while having a family and a host of other responsibilities and challenges? As such, she advises us to:
Have a strong support system
Have time sensitive goals with realistic expectations
Understand that sacrifice now can lead to bigger benefits later
Strategize and make use of your resources in order to make the best financial and educational decisions
Stay organized and think ahead
But above all, remain positive and believe in your potential.
Dr. Ayesha is truly an inspiration to us all, and if you would like to reach out to her, you can do so via her Instagram where she answers your pressing questions and provides invaluable information @Dr.ayeshabaig
Listen to the full episode here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-img-roadmap/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-GE0MMg