Upwardly Global Vice President of Programs Avigail Ziv was interviewed by MedPage Today for their article, “More States Cut Training Requirements for Some International Medical Graduates — Alternative pathways to licensing for IMGs spreads beyond Tennessee.” The article highlights recent progress in certain states toward eliminating barriers to relicensure for international medical graduates (IMGs).
“We really see this as having the potential to support thousands of IMGs in Illinois, to move into skill-aligned work and enter into the healthcare industry,” said Avigail Ziv, MPH, vice president of programs at Upwardly Global, an advocacy organization that championed the Illinois legislation. “And not only that, but to address the real shortages that exist in the healthcare industry and workforce.”
“[T]he U.S. needs healthcare workers, according to Ziv of Upwardly Global, which estimates there are 165,000 unemployed or underemployed immigrants with international healthcare degrees already in the U.S.
Their services can be especially helpful as the U.S. population ages, and as demand rises for doctors in rural and other medically underserved areas.
“They come with knowledge and years of experience,” she said. “How can we leverage that talent to support our healthcare industry?”
Read the full article here, and learn more about Upwardly Global’s advocacy around medical relicensure for IMGs in Illinois here.