IMGs: Showcasing Leadership, Scholarship, and Service in Psychiatry

International medical graduates (IMGs) have long been an essential pillar of the U.S. psychiatric workforce. With contributions that span clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and leadership, this global talent pool continues to strengthen mental health care in the United States in profound and measurable ways.

In recognition of these contributions, the IMG Subcommittee for this year’s Annual Meeting is proud to announce a six-part lecture series. Each session will be chaired by a member of the subcommittee and will highlight scholarship, lived experience, mentorship, and forward-thinking dialogue.

These sessions are not solely for IMGs. They are designed for all psychiatrists committed to workforce development, diversity, professional growth, and ethical excellence in psychiatry.

• From Passion to Profession: Exploring Diverse Career Paths in Psychiatry — Chair: Vishal Madaan, M.D.
  This session explores the diverse and evolving career trajectories available to psychiatrists, including academic leadership, community practice, sub-specialization, public psychiatry, and global mental health. Presenters will share their journeys, illuminating how IMGs can transform passion into meaningful professional pathways. The discussion will provide mentorship-oriented insights for trainees and early-career psychiatrists navigating career-defining decisions.
  
  
• From Obstacles to Opportunities: IMG Struggles and Success in Residency Match and Beyond — Chair: Farooq Mohyuddin, M.D.
  The residency match process and transition into U.S. graduate medical education can present unique challenges for IMGs. This session brings together program directors and leaders to discuss barriers, myths, and practical strategies for success. Emphasis will be placed on transparency, mentorship, and structural reforms that support equitable access to psychiatric training.
  
  
• The Road After Residency: IMG Career Barriers and Visa Strategies — Chair: Kamalika Roy, M.D.
  Visa constraints and employment limitations often shape career decisions for IMGs. This timely session will address post-residency pathways, waiver programs, academic versus private practice considerations, and long-term planning strategies. Speakers will provide practical guidance and empower IMGs to navigate regulatory complexities while maintaining professional autonomy and growth.
  
  
• The IMG Effect: Strengthening U.S. Psychiatry Through Global Talent — Chair: Akira Sawa, M.D.
  This session shifts the narrative from challenges to contributions. IMGs enrich U.S. psychiatry through cultural competence, linguistic diversity, global perspectives, and academic scholarship. Distinguished leaders—including internationally recognized clinicians and researchers—will reflect on how global training backgrounds enhance innovation, teaching, and patient care across American psychiatry.
  
  
• Bridging Borders in Psychiatry: Conversations on Ethics and Professionalism for IMGs — Chair: Gia Merlo, M.D., M.B.A.
  Professionalism and ethics are shaped by both universal principles and cultural contexts. This session will engage participants in thoughtful dialogue on navigating ethical dilemmas, maintaining professional identity, and integrating diverse cultural frameworks into U.S. practice. The goal is to foster integrity, mutual respect, and shared standards of excellence.
  
  
• Voices of Strength: Women IMGs Shaping American Mental Healthcare — Chair: Azziza O. Bankole, M.D.
  This session highlights the leadership, resilience, and transformative contributions of women IMGs in American psychiatry. Women IMGs often navigate intersecting challenges—immigration barriers, cultural adaptation, professional advancement, and gender equity—while simultaneously serving as clinicians, scholars, mentors, and innovators. Women IMGs are not only participants in American psychiatry—they are shaping its future.

The presenters collectively represent medical school backgrounds from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Russia, and beyond, reflecting the true global face of psychiatry in America. The IMG Subcommittee has held multiple planning meetings over recent months to ensure that this lecture series is thoughtful, practical, and inspirational.

At a time when the United States faces a growing mental health workforce shortage, IMGs remain indispensable to patient care across urban, rural, academic, and community settings. By elevating IMG voices and leadership, APA reaffirms its commitment to diversity, equity, and excellence.

For dates, times, and locations of these and other sessions, check the APA Meetings App. ■