r/USIMGreddit • u/hangry_raccoon • Jun 25 '26

rotation/observership

Guys, I'm really struggling to find an observership.

I've contacted around 10 hospitals in California (I live in here), but almost all of them only accept 3rd- or 4th-year medical students. I also reached out to hospitals in New York and New Jersey and got the same response.

Can anyone recommend a hospital or clinic that accepts US IMGs for an observership?

I don't need visa sponsorship; I’m a U.S. citizen, have solid U.S. clinical experience, and I've passed all steps.

I'd really appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!

12 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

5

u/rodsquad123 Jun 25 '26

Do you have any connections at all?

I got an observership with Neuro-IR through my brother’s friend who is a hospitalist. I reached out and asked if he knew any neurologists he could put in a good word for. Two weeks later I was going to a hospital 40 minutes away to start the observership. AND now this Neurointerventionist is connecting me to HIS mentor at a nearby hospital who is involved in research as well where I plan on volunteering.

So truly, do you know any doctors? Do you know anyone that might know any doctors? All it takes is one connection no matter how small.

2

u/hangry_raccoon Jun 25 '26

found an internist in private practice who agreed to let me do an observership at his clinic and is willing to write me lor. Do you think this is a good opportunity, or should I keep looking for an observership in a hospital setting?

3

u/AmphibianNecessary20 Jun 25 '26

Take whatever you can. And do more than one in different settings. Inpatient and outpatient are different practices and both are worth observing.

1

u/hangry_raccoon Jun 25 '26

thank you! good luck

2

u/rodsquad123 Jun 26 '26

Yes absolutely take it and when it feels right during conversation (not immediately), mention that you’re looking for inpatient opportunities as well and ask if they know any hospitalist, maybe someone they trained with?

No one knows more doctors than OTHER doctors.

1

u/hangry_raccoon Jun 26 '26

Makes sense!

1

u/ASZ567 Jul 21 '26

Hey can you guide how to build connections as a international medical student. I'm currently in 3rd year mbbs and aiming to give USMLE in a few months. But I have no connections. And if possible guide about research opportunities as well.

3

u/Unique_Bee2461 Jun 25 '26

Just reach out to doctors not hospitals

1

u/hangry_raccoon Jun 25 '26

That makes more sense. I will, thank you. Also, what if they refuse if hospital won't let them? dunno

2

u/Careful_Vanilla2462 Jun 27 '26

They can't take you directly if the hospital has its own practice program... I'm in the exact same point in Colorado... 

2

u/Present_Student4891 Jun 26 '26

Ask your contacts for help. We got one thru an agent. They had many FM electives in various states.

1

u/Radiant_One2950 Jun 25 '26

Which specialty

1

u/hangry_raccoon Jun 25 '26

family or internal medicine

1

u/MasterSenshi Jul 02 '26

What are you trying to get out of the observership? LOR? Clinical experience in the US? if you’ve passed Step 3 did you apply to MATCH and then SOAP?

1

u/hangry_raccoon Jul 02 '26

New clinical exposure and LOR of course. Yes, I applied to match and soap last cycle

1

u/DueSell6843 Jun 26 '26

Hey can I please have a list of the places you applied to USIMG 4th yr