Virginia’s New Pathway for International Physicians: Key Insights from RPA’s Webinar for Medical Executives
The first session of the Refugee Physicians Advocacy (RPA) Coalition Webinar Series for medical executives, held on November 13, 2024, addressed Virginia’s recent healthcare worker shortages and the growing demand for healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, highlighting how Virginia’s new pathway for International Physicians can address these shortages by creating opportunities for skilled international physicians to help grow the workforce. Experts discussed the significance of utilizing the skills of international physicians, many of whom are currently underemployed despite their impressive qualifications.
Key discussions included the new provisional license framework, its potential to address physician shortages, and how medical institutions can prepare to integrate these professionals into their workforce. The discussion emphasized the pathway’s potential to meet patient needs, empowering institutions to better serve communities including rural communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color, while tackling workforce shortages head-on.
Dr. Sarah Kureshi, Dr. Karen Smith, Dr. Hosai Hesham
Presenters highlighted the transformative potential of Virginia’s provisional licensure pathway, not just for addressing workforce shortages but for enhancing healthcare delivery statewide and how integrating diverse medical expertise can improve patient outcomes. By discussing examples of implementation models from different states, presenters offered insights into potential challenges that may arise through this pathway. The session emphasized the importance of working together across medical institutions, policymakers, and community organizations to ensure the success of the Provisional License Pathway and the integration of international physicians into the workforce.
"These are well-trained, seasoned physicians that come with a wealth of experience that can easily be put to practice with your patients. […] Beyond just being highly skilled and experienced, our international physicians provide a really culturally diverse and resilient era."
- Dr. Karen Smith
“We found that most of the international medical graduates were at the same level, if not slightly better, in management of these chronic conditions, both when it came to mortality and readmission rates. Not only are we seeing that international medical graduates are performing at the same level as those who have graduated from US medical schools, but we’re looking at the possibility, if we’re shortening those re-entry paths into the healthcare sector without a full residency, that we could be saving quite a bit of money in terms of that training perspective.”
-Dr. Hosai Todd Hesham
Dr. Kacie Saulters and Dr. Stephanie Goldberg
Presenters
Dr. Sarah Kureshi – Co-founder, Refugee Physicians Advocacy Coalition, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Medstar Medical Group Family Medicine
Mike Zimmer – Senior Policy Advisor, World Education Services
Dr. Natalie Gospodinoff – International Family Medicine Physician; Expertise in Healthcare Management
Dr. Hosai Hesham – Executive Director, Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America (AMPAA), Maryland ENT Associates
Dr. Karen Smith – Medical Director of Global Services, Children’s National Hospital; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Jonathan Wolfson – Representative, Cicero Institute
Dr. Mohamed Khalif – The International Medical Graduates Academy
Dr. Kacie Saulters – Internal Medicine Program Director, University of Maryland, Capital Region Health
Amy Taloma – PhD, Virginia Healthcare Workforce Development Authority
Dr. Stephanie Goldberg – Mary Washington Medical Group
A full recording of the webinar and download of the slides are below:
Webinar RecordingSave the Date: Webinar Session 2
“How International Physicians Can Help Grow Your Health Workforce Pipeline”
2/26/2025 | 12-1 PM EST | via Zoom
Please plan to join as we share how international physicians can be leveraged to fill other health workforce gaps beyond the Provisional License track.
Refugee Physicians Advocacy (RPA) Coalition
The RPA Coalition is committed to raising awareness and encouraging healthcare institutions to stay informed about Virginia’s Provisional License Pathway for International Physicians, ensuring its successful integration into the workforce. We urge medical institutions to identify early adopters and collaborate with educational offices to lay the groundwork for this program. Initial steps can be taken to train preceptors and build partnerships within your institution to establish a solid foundation for integrating international physicians into your workforce.
Learn more:
Refugee Physicians Advocacy CoalitionMedical Executives may submit questions and/or participate in RPA’s Task Force to help develop implementation models. Submit your questions through the link below:
QuestionsRPA Founders Present at the 2024 National Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America Scientific Conference
Dr. Sarah Kureshi and Brandi Kilmer, co-founders of the Refugee Physicians Advocacy (RPA) Coalition, presented at the 2024 National Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America (AMPPA) Scientific Conference in October. Their topic “Strengthening the Medical Workforce with Skilled International Physicians” resonated strongly with an audience of over 50 Afghan professionals who share an interest in advancing the medical careers of displaced Afghans.
Refugee Doctors Advocate for Legislative Change
The inspiring journey of refugee doctors advocating for legislative changes to ease their path back into medical practice in the U.S. Discover how their efforts led to the unanimous passing of House Bill 995 in Virginia, offering a temporary licensure pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs).