Attempting To Align Philippine Undergraduate Medical Education With California Requirements

Pebble Beach, California

This blogpost is a continuation of my attempts to dissect the Medical Board of California's licensing requirements for International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

I called the Medical Board up this morning and was redirected to someone's voicemail, twice. According to the recording, I should hear back from them within two business days.

So, I decided to do my own research to try and understand California law to the best of my ability.

The following screen shot caused me to wonder how IMGs can remediate their undergraduate medical education in the event that their curriculum does not meet California's physician licensing requirements, specifically the requirements stated in the Business and Professions Code Section 2089(b).

Mentally Preparing for the Philippine NMAT

Eighteen days to go, and it's time to take the Philippine NMAT in Los Angeles!!!

I still have not studied. If it's any consolation (to myself), I have prepared myself in the last 14 days by reading up a lot on what it's like to go to med school in the Philippines and what it would take to be able to practice medicine in the United States, while dreaming up what it would be like to go on missions trips in the Asia Pacific.

Meanwhile, I was able to secure babysitting assistance for our three children so that I can spend some (very needed) time to study. Although, I must say, I can't completely "sign out" of parenting (then again, once we sign up for parenting, we are "signed in" for life) while studying since I have to periodically take a break to pump breastmilk while away from our infant. I'm not sure if this information is considered "TMI" for other countries/cultures; however, here in the United States, breastfeeding is encouraged.  For example, in most workplaces, we even had our very own lactation room, and we were allowed to excuse ourselves from meetings to do our "mommy-business". I know this will be a challenge for me during the NMAT test day, so I'll make sure to give the test coordinator a call to find out what the break schedules are in between lunch, if any. If none, at least, I'll know how to prepare.

Our Medical Education Strategy As Prospective USIMGs

Photo by pasukaru76 on Flickr

I know, I know--I should be studying for the Philippine NMAT as we're scheduled to take the exam on December 1st in Los Angeles. That's less than one month away. Granted, it was only one week ago that my husband and I both decided that we will be pursuing our calling to go to Med School...in our 30's. Yes, we will humbly accept all the prayers that we can get, not only because we are aging (albeit gracefully), but because we also have a growing family to feed.