The IMG Roadmap Podcast

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What happens when your journey does not go according to plan?

When you graduate medical school, start working, begin studying for the USMLE, fail Step 1 more than once, and watch your peers move on with life while you feel stuck?

In this episode of the IMG Roadmap Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Davion Bartholomew, a U.S. citizen IMG from Trinidad and Tobago who shares the real story behind her journey to a family medicine pre-match offer.
This is not a story of overnight success.
It is a story of:
repeated setbacks

rebuilding after failure

learning the true reason she was failing

changing her mindset

applying broadly

using every connection available

and trusting the process even when it felt impossible

If you are an IMG who has ever failed an exam, questioned your future, or felt behind in life, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:
What it’s like to graduate medical school in Trinidad and Tobago and work while trying to pursue U.S. residency

Why she initially chose not to get coaching—and why she later changed her mind

How failing Step 1 twice affected her mentally and emotionally

The hidden root cause of her exam failure

Why mindset was the biggest shift in her journey

How she changed her study strategy and passed

How she applied to 111 programs

How she landed 9 interviews

How one “accidental” in-person interview became a pre-match offer

What pre-match really means

Why family medicine was still her number-one choice

What she would say to any IMG struggling after failure

Key Takeaways
1. Failure is not the end of the road
Even after multiple attempts, it is still possible to match.
2. You must identify the real reason you failed
For Dr. Davion, it wasn't a lack of knowledge. It was endurance.
3. Mindset matters more than people realize
Changing her internal dialogue changed how she studied, how she showed up, and how she moved forward.
4. Broad application strategy matters
She applied to 111 programs, mostly family medicine, and used every connection she had.
5. Pre-match can still happen—even when your application isn’t “perfect”
She matched despite Step 1 attempts and being five years out from graduation.

About Dr. Davion Bartholomew
Dr. Davion Bartholomew is a U.S. citizen IMG from Trinidad and Tobago who graduated medical school from the University of the West Indies in 2020. She is currently working as a house officer in Emergency Medicine and has now secured a pre-match offer in Family Medicine in Pennsylvania.

Connect with Dr. Davion
Instagram: @davi_bartholomew

Mentioned in This Episode
IMG Roadmap Planner drninalum.com/calendar

IMG Roadmap Waitlist drninalum.com/waitlist

******
Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:
- for IMG-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
- for course-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
*****
Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for supportive content and download our targeted ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠planner from our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and consider joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube Music⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.

Quick pause!
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the⁠ IMG Roadmap Newsletter⁠ so you never miss a beat!
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What happens when you do everything right…
But the system still says no?
In this episode of the IMG Roadmap Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Christian Matishak, a Canadian IMG who scored 250 on Step 1 and 265 on Step 2 — yet still struggled to match into residency.
His journey includes:
Applying to general surgery

Matching preliminary surgery

Going through the Match three times

Being told he could not reapply to surgery because of visa rules

Pivoting into anesthesiology

Finally matching and becoming an attending anesthesiologist

This conversation is honest, raw, and incredibly important for IMGs who believe test scores alone will carry their application.
Because the truth is:
The Match is more complicated than that.
What We Discuss
Why high USMLE scores still didn’t lead to a surgery match

What IMGs often misunderstand about residency competitiveness

The mistakes he believes hurt his application

Why personality and presence matter during rotations

The hidden visa rule that prevents prelim residents from re-entering the match in some cases

Why he ultimately pivoted to anesthesiology

What a “suicide match” means

Life now as an attending anesthesiologist on a J-1 waiver

The mindset that carried him through three match cycles
Key Lessons for IMGs

1️⃣ Scores alone are not enough
Even a 250/265 score profile does not guarantee a match in competitive specialties.
2️⃣ Clinical performance matters
Quiet students who do not speak up in the OR may be overlooked.
Programs want to know:
“Do we want to work with this person for 4 years?”
3️⃣ Visa rules can change your options
Some visa restrictions prevent residents from re-entering the match for certain specialties once they’ve progressed in training.
4️⃣ Pivoting is not failure
Dr. Matishak pivoted from surgery to anesthesia and discovered a career he genuinely enjoys.
5️⃣ Positivity matters more than people think
After two unsuccessful matches, he made one mental shift:
“Things are going to work out.”
That mindset changed everything.

Where He Is Now?
Dr. Matishak is now an attending anesthesiologist in Little Rock, Arkansas, completing his J-1 waiver while building a career that once seemed impossible.

Connect With Dr. MatishakInstagram : @CMATISHAK
LinkedIn: Christian Matishak

*****
Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for supportive content and download our targeted ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠planner from our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and consider joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube Music⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

Quick pause!
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the⁠⁠ IMG Roadmap Newsletter⁠⁠ so you never miss a beat!
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Match week is emotional.But SOAP is not chaos — it’s structured.

In this episode, I walk you through exactly how the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) works, who is eligible, and how to prepare before match week so you are not scrambling in panic.

If you are an IMG in the current cycle, this episode is mandatory listening.

If you’re applying next year, this is your preparation blueprint.

What I Cover in This Episode
What SOAP actually is and why it exists

Who qualifies for SOAP

The real reason people don’t match (hint: it’s not always credentials)

IMG statistics in SOAP

The exact SOAP timeline (round-by-round breakdown)

The rules you must NOT break

How to prepare your application now

How to build your SOAP support system

What to update in ERAS before match week

Why emotional preparation matters as much as strategy

Critical SOAP Timeline (Match Week)

Monday (11 AM): You find out if you matched

Tuesday–Wednesday: Programs review applications + interview

Thursday: 4 offer rounds

Round 1: 9–11 AM

Round 2: 12–2 PM

Round 3: 3–5 PM

Round 4: 6–8 PM

Thursday 9 PM: SOAP ends

Friday: Match Day

If you get an offer, you have 2 hours to respond.
You must be ready.

What You Should Be Doing NOW
Update and polish your personal statement

Upload strong LORs (you can still add new ones)

Identify 5–6 support people for match week

Plan childcare/work adjustments if needed

Prepare emotionally

Know the rules (NRMP SOAP policy link below)

Rules You Cannot Break

No contacting programs outside ERAS

No negotiating offers

No accepting multiple offers

No back-channeling

Violations can follow you into future cycles.

Recommended Episodes:
Episode #54 – Dr. Emmanuel Morakinyo (SOAP Success Story) https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/54-img-roadmap-series-69-dr-emmanuel-morakinyo-internal/id1490731292?i=1000512802728

Official NRMP SOAP Policieshttps://www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/soap/

SOAP is not the end of your story.
Preparation beats panic.
And I’m here to help you prepare.

******
Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:

- for IMG-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
- for course-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
*****
Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for supportive content and download our targeted ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠planner from our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and consider joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Quick pause!
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the⁠ IMG Roadmap Newsletter⁠ so you never miss a beat!
*****

There’s been a lot of fear circulating online about a proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications, and I’ve been getting questions nonstop from IMGs who are worried about what this could mean for their future.
In this episode, I break down what’s actually being discussed, who this proposal may apply to, and—most importantly—how I would think about this as a physician if I were applying for H-1B today.
I share my own immigration journey, how I approached visas strategically, and why panic is never a strategy—but preparation is.
Where the $100,000 H-1B fee discussion is coming from
Who this proposal would apply to (and who it would not)
Why social media is the worst place to get immigration advice

How physicians can potentially qualify for exemptions

What “national interest” really means for doctors
Why shortage areas matter more than ever

What I would personally do if I were a new H-1B applicant today

Key Takeaways

Not every headline applies to every IMG
Physicians are uniquely positioned because of workforce shortages
Knowing the rules gives you leverage
You need a plan—not fear

Resources Mentioned

NIW information: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-second-preference-eb-2

USCIS on H1B visa: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations

HRSA Health Professional Shortage Area tool: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas/hpsa-find

IMG Roadmap Podcast Episode #13 (National Interest Waiver discussion):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/13-img-roadmap-series-30-dr-clarisse-tallah-fm-ob-maternal/id1490731292?i=1000469793341

Immigration attorney referral: https://www.bakerlaw.com/insights/uscis-clarifies-when-100000-h-1b-fee-is-required-exempting-most-f-1-students/

Disclaimer
This episode reflects my personal experience and opinions and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.
******
Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:

- for IMG-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
- for course-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
*****
Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for supportive content and download our targeted ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠planner from our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and consider joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube Music⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

Quick pause!
Want to stay inspired with content tailored specifically to IMG’s looking to create their medical success story? Sign up for the⁠ IMG Roadmap Newsletter⁠ so you never miss a beat!
*****

Emergency Medicine is often described as one of the least IMG-friendly specialties.
So how did a U.S. IMG who went to medical school in Europe not only match into Emergency Medicine—but go on to design a flexible, independent career on her own terms?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Helena, known online as @a.youngdoctors.journey, an Emergency Medicine physician currently working as a travel/locum tenens EM doctor

In this episode we talk candidly about:
Choosing medical school in Europe

The loneliness of studying for USMLEs abroad

The reality of applying to EM as an IMG

How she secured SLOEs when doors were closed

Why networking—not scores—changed everything

And how she transitioned into a 1099, location-flexible EM career after residency

This episode is for IMGs who want real talk, not sugar-coated advice.
Why going to medical school in Europe can be a strategic decision—if planned correctly

The biggest misconceptions IMGs have about match statistics

What it actually feels like to apply for U.S. residency as an IMG

How COVID disrupted U.S. clinical experience—and how to adapt

Step 1 & Step 2 scores: what mattered and what didn’t

What a SLOE is and why it’s critical for Emergency Medicine

Creative, ethical ways to secure rotations and evaluations

Why networking is the most underutilized IMG skill

Cold emailing, conferences, social media

Why Emergency Medicine doesn’t “love” IMGs—and how to work around it

The difference between W-2 and 1099 work after residency

How locum tenens allows physicians to control time, income, and lifestyle

EM is difficult for IMGs—but not impossible

Scores matter less than strategy, timing, and relationships

You must build your own mentorship if your school doesn’t provide it

Networking is not optional—it’s a skill

Rejection is often redirectiom

Get the scoop on:
NRMP Match Outcomes Data

CORD EM / SLOE resources (search: CORD Emergency Medicine SLOE)

IMG Roadmap Podcast

1099 / Locum Tenens pathways

Feel free to reach out to Dr. Helena @a.youngdoctors.journey⁠
on Instagram, or via email at [email protected]

If you’re an IMG interested in Emergency Medicine—or any competitive specialty—this episode will change how you think about planning, networking, and owning your path.
******
Interested in writing your own medical success story? We've got you covered. Here's how you can join the IMG Roadmap Community Today:
- for IMG-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
- for course-related questions: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
*****
Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for supportive content and download our targeted ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠planner from our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and consider joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to kick start your IMG journey.
As always you can click on the following links to listen to more episodes of our podcasts on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube Music⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠