International Medical Graduate Section

From Your Chair & Vice Chair

Ricardo Rafael Correa, MD Chair

John Arjun Sharma, MD Vice Chair

It is our honor and privilege to welcome you to the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Section of the Ohio State Medical Association. We're humbled to serve as the Chair and Vice Chair of this section. As international medical graduates ourselves, we understand both the extraordinary opportunities and unique challenges that accompany the journey of practicing medicine in the United States. Whether you are a physician in training, an early-career physician, or an established clinician, this section was created to ensure that your voice is heard, your contributions are recognized, and your professional growth is supported. WE want to hear from you and how we can build a strong section that helps our community.

International medical graduates are an indispensable part of the American healthcare system. Today, IMGs comprise approximately one-quarter of the U.S. physician workforce and play a critical role in providing care in primary care, specialty medicine, rural communities, and underserved areas. Recent residency match data continue to demonstrate the growing impact of IMGs, with nearly 10,000 international medical graduates securing positions in U.S. residency programs, underscoring the vital role our community plays in addressing physician workforce shortages and improving access to care across the nation.

Ohio has long benefited from the talent, dedication, and diversity that IMGs bring to medicine. Our section seeks to build a strong community that supports advocacy, professional development, mentorship, networking, leadership training, and physician well-being. We want to create opportunities for members to connect with one another, share experiences, identify solutions to common challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the future of healthcare in our state.

As healthcare continues to evolve, IMGs face important issues that require collective engagement. Workforce shortages, physician well-being, immigration and visa policies, licensure pathways, and equitable opportunities for advancement remain critical topics affecting many members of our community. 

  Upcoming Event!  •  August 20, 2026  
OSMA IMG Section Networking
Live Zoom: This event provides an opportunity to connect with fellow IMG members, identify our most pressing concerns, and guide the Section's priorities and programming for the coming year.
RSVP to Attend >

One of our personal goals for this section is to foster mentorship across all career stages. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how mentorship can transform professional trajectories. As IMGs, many of us have benefited from individuals who helped us navigate unfamiliar systems and opened doors to opportunities. I hope that our section becomes a place where experienced physicians actively support students, residents, fellows, and early-career physicians as they pursue their goals.

Looking ahead, we will focus on creating educational programs, leadership opportunities, networking events, advocacy initiatives, and collaborations with other sections of OSMA. We also hope to serve as a resource for institutions and policymakers seeking to better understand the contributions and needs of international medical graduates.

Most importantly, this section belongs to you. Your experiences, ideas, and engagement will determine our success. I encourage you to become involved, participate in our activities, share your perspectives, and help us build a vibrant and influential IMG community across Ohio.

Thank you for your commitment to medicine, your service to patients, and your dedication to improving healthcare in our communities. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we build a stronger future for international medical graduates and for the patients we serve.

Two Questions to Explore Together:

• How can Ohio better support IMG physicians transitioning from training to independent practice, particularly in rural and underserved communities?

• What barriers can organized medicine help address to improve physician recruitment, retention, and long-term success while maintaining the highest standards of patient care?

Email Your Answers >

If you have questions, feel free to get in touch at info@osma.org