When you absolutely, positively have to be an OB/GYN...
- Step 1 : 222 (first attempt)
- Step 2 CK: 265 (first attempt)
- Step 2 CS: Pass (first attempt)
- Step 3 : 242 (first attempt)
- GAP since graduation: 17-years (YOG 2000!!!)
- Non US IMG
- Second attempt at matching
- Number of interviews: 9
Hello Dr. Barone,
I am an IMG and I would like to share my own story with you, and help others to not lose hope and work hard for their dreams. I’ve been following you for a while and I read all of the stories that you share in your website about people who achieved their dreams and never gave up. All of them inspired me and made me to keep going during all this time.
Here is my story. I did a Residency in OB/GYN in my home country and then I came to the US. I got some US experience working as a MA for 6 months, volunteer work in a hospital, observership for one month in a FM private clinic but I had no research experience. This is my second Match, last year I just got 1 IV in OBGYN and didn’t Match, but I just applied to OB GYN and I think that is why I didn’t have more IVs.
For this Match, I was determined to succeed so I decided to improve my Personal Statement, I got better LORs, and passed Step 3 with a great score. Also, I applied to 3 different specialties, what I think was very helpful because I got 9 IVs, 4 of them in FM, 3 in OBGYN and 2 in IM. After 7 years being out, I realized that I just wanted with all my heart to be a doctor again, and I was willing to be a different kind of doctor which was very hard for me because I am an innate OB and I love performing surgeries and I missed so badly being in the OR right in the middle on the action and delivering babies!
I have to say that deeply in my heart I knew that I was going to be able to do my passion again (that was my hope); however, some times I was worried because of all my red flags and I tried to keep a positive attitude, study hard, focus on my goals and do my best!
Fortunately, during this journey I had the support of my husband, family, and some friends from my medical school who are doctors and currently are practicing here. All of them were my angels and their advice and help were vital for me, so it is very important to have the right people around you.
Finally, I got 2 Prematch offers... 1 in OBGYN and the another one in IM. I’m very excited for this new chapter of my life. To become an OBGYN again in this country is a dream come true! I hope someone will find my story helpful and if they have red flags, just remember to do your best, surround yourself with the right people and stay way from negative people!
Regards,
RDV 04/21/18
Dr. Barone: Amazing story! Thanks for sharing it. YOG 2000.... that's a 17-year gap!!! Can you fill us in on what you were doing during that time?
Thanks! I know it is a long gap. I did an OB GYN residency in my country and after that I had my own practice for over 7 years. I came to the US in 2011, and the first thing I did was to learn English so I spent about 1 year doing so. For the step 1, it took me a little bit more than 1 year to prepare myself, and I have to say it was the hardest one of the steps for me, since I graduated from medical school 17 years ago. Also, I am a slow reader so for the next steps I took about 6 to 8 months to prepared for each one. I worked as an MA for 6 months and did 2 observerships one in FM and the other one in IM. I think the key of my success is that I never gave up my dreams, I stayed focus on my goal and I had the right people around me who supported and advice me always. I knew since the beginning of my journey that it was going to be a tough challenge for me to be a OBGYN again, and I would have to fight very hard against the odds if I really wanted to be a doctor again. Thanks to God I had a great interview and I believe that it was the right place and time for me to be there and have this amazing opportunity. I’m glad that I’m done with this roller coaster of emotions, and now I’m getting ready to be a successful PGY 1 resident this year. 
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