In this episode, we discuss the recently published ACKD article, “International Medical Graduates in Nephrology: A Guide for Trainees and Programs” Our guests are the authors, Javier Neyra, Maria Clarissa Tio, Silvia Ferrè and the co-editors Matthew Sparks and Samira Farouk.

Although international medical graduates are offered opportunities for training and professional growth that are beyond those available in their countries of origin, they typically encounter barriers to transition from training to practice and early-stage career development. The authors describe the exchange visitor and temporary worker visas granted to foreign trainees in the U.S, focusing on the transition from training to nephrology practice and/or research. They provide recommendations and encourage trainees to seek continuous support from their programs/sponsors and assistance from immigration representatives at their training institutions. This episode provides a positive message that there are many pathways to arrive at the desired post-training destination and emphasizes how additional funding opportunities are there! Ultimately, these authors will not let you navigate blindly.

We are bringing on a new co-host for this month’s episode, please help us welcome Natasha Dave, MD! She is a nephrologist at the Bruce W. Carter Miami Veterans Affair Medical Center. She completed her internal medicine residency training at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago and then completed her Nephrology fellowship and chief year at Baylor in Houston. Post-fellowship she joined Baylor as an assistant professor of medicine primarily practicing at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center prior to moving to Miami.

Dr. Dave's other clinical and educational interests include mentorship, social media/educational content generation and as her Twitter profile (@NatashaNDave) suggests electrolytes. She serves on the Executive Council of Women in Nephrology and is involved in a number of online projects and roles that begin after she completed a one year social media internship with the Nephrology Social Media Collective (NSMC). Some of these roles include being a faculty contributor for the Renal Fellow Network and American Journal of Kidney Diseases blogs as well as partaking in committees with the American Society of Nephrology, Nephrology Business Leadership University, Kidney Medicine journal and NSMC. Outside of medicine her other passions include long distance running, meditation and travel.