The Badass IMG Women: Past, Present, Future-View Presentation

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This session titled "The Badass IMG Woman: Past, Present, and Future" brings together a panel of accomplished international medical graduates (IMGs) to discuss their journeys, challenges, and successes in the field of psychiatry. The session is part of an IMG track at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) meeting, highlighting the roles and contributions of women IMGs in U.S. healthcare.<br /><br />Dr. Geetha Jayaram and Dr. Consuelo Kagande, along with others, share insights into their experiences and the importance of mentorship and sponsorship. They discuss the diverse cultural backgrounds they bring to their work, emphasizing the value of bicultural identities in understanding and catering to patients from varied backgrounds. Dr. Jayaram offers an in-depth perspective on navigating academic medicine's challenges, stressing the importance of self-assertion and finding supportive mentors and allies who help leverage one's skills and aspirations.<br /><br />Dipti Vasavada talks about the psychosocial impacts on families of IMGs, using her personal experiences and struggles as she transitioned with her husband to the U.S., adapting professionally and personally. She stresses the importance of cultural integration and the pursuit of continuous growth and adaptation.<br /><br />The session underscores the significance of acknowledging and leveraging the unique experiences of IMG women, encouraging the cultivation of supportive networks while advancing professionally through mentoring relationships and self-advocacy. The discussion concludes with a Q&A, where the panelists address rising in academic hierarchies and deal with the stigma associated with mental health specialties, specifically psychiatry. They encourage embracing feedback, focusing on strengths, and maintaining humility and resilience in overcoming the challenges of being an IMG and a woman in healthcare.

Keywords

IMG women

psychiatry

American Psychiatric Association

mentorship

sponsorship

bicultural identities

academic medicine

cultural integration

self-advocacy

mental health

professional growth

networking

resilience