Empowering International Physicians: Career Pathways at Inova Health

Last month, the Refugee Physicians Advocacy Coalition (RPA) was proud to co-host a “Healthcare Career Pathways for International Physicians” information session with Inova Health’s Workforce Development team. Together, we explored both clinical and administrative roles at Inova that are open to internationally trained physicians.
Nearly 40 International Physicians participated, learning about relevant healthcare opportunities and how to apply. In preparation, our RPA Access and Engagement Team—alongside Upwardly Global and Virginia Career Works—provided resume support to help these talented professionals showcase their skills and stand out in the hiring process.
After the event, Inova’s Workforce Development team offered personalized meetings for career and resume guidance. We’re excited to share that, so far, two International Physicians have been hired as Clinical Technician and Monitor Technician, with many others moving forward to phone screenings and interviews.
Thank you to all our partners for making this possible and to our international physicians for their dedication and resilience. We look forward to seeing even more success stories in the months ahead!

The RPA Coalition is composed of non-profit partners and medical institutions dedicated to International Physicians advancing their healthcare careers in Virginia as we work together to solve the healthcare workforce shortage crisis.
If you are a Medical Institution Executive interested in expanding your recruiting pipeline with foreign-trained doctors, contact us today:
Contact UsIf you are International Physician interested in joining our registry and enlisting RPA Coalition’s medical career support, enter your information here:
International Physician RegistryAdvancing Careers: VCU and RPA Launch Medical English and Cultural Competencies Course for International Physicians
Foreign-trained doctors bring invaluable medical expertise, but navigating communication and cultural differences in the U.S. healthcare system can be a challenge. That’s why the @Refugee Physicians Advocacy Coalition #RPA has partnered with @Virginia Commonwealth University’s #VCU Global Education department to co-design a new course: “Medical English and Cultural Competencies in the U.S. Healthcare System.
Official Statement for World Refugee Day 2025
The U.S. Healthcare Workforce Shortage Is Growing — But So Is The Solution
Virginia is short 770 primary care physicians today — and that number will near 1,000 by 2035. The strain is real: longer wait times, physician burnout, and limited care, especially in rural and underserved communities.
There’s a solution hiding in plain sight: International Medical Graduates (IMGs).
IMGs are highly trained professionals with deep clinical experience and a commitment to primary care. Studies show they perform as well as or better than U.S.-trained doctors in managing chronic conditions and improving patient outcomes — especially for diverse and immigrant populations.