Welcome to the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Mentorship Program at the University of Minnesota
This program is designed to offer flexible, accessible, and inclusive mentorship to medical graduates who completed their education outside the United States and are now training at the University of Minnesota.
Unlike traditional mentorship models with fixed mentor-mentee pairings, our approach is dynamic and participant-driven. Individuals can engage with mentors on specific topics as their needs arise, allowing for a personalized and adaptable mentorship experience that respects varying schedules, specialties, and career paths.
Below, you’ll find a list of participating mentors and their areas of expertise. You are encouraged to connect directly with them via email or, where available, schedule a meeting through the linked appointment calendar.
This program is open to all regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
I am an Assistant Professor, Associate Residency Program Director, and Adult & Reproductive Psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. I earned my MBBS degree from the College of Medicine University of Ibadan in Nigeria. I also hold a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota (UMN). I completed my psychiatry residency training at UMN and served as the Chief Resident.
I am passionate about reproductive psychiatry, leadership in academia, medical education, and building inclusive communities for trainees. In my clinical practice, I strive to center and amplify my patient’s voices. Within my work, I hope to contribute to reducing the gaps existing in perinatal mental health care.
One of the highlights of my job is working with trainees and learners. In my educational leadership role, I work on curriculum & didactics development and building sustainable systems for resident mentorship.
Home Country: Nigeria
Department: Psychiatry
Mentorship Interests:
Wellbeing/thriving in a new environment/culture
Community building
Work-life alignment
Professional development
Leadership
Medical education research
Contact me:
I am an Internal Medicine resident at the University of Minnesota. Originally from India, I moved to the United States after completing my BS in Biomedical Engineering. After getting married and earning a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, I worked in drug development for a few years and welcomed our beautiful daughter. Always driven by my passion for medicine, I began my journey with the MCAT, volunteering, and preparing for medical school applications. Eventually, I was accepted into the University of Minnesota Medical School, completed my training, and decided to stay on for residency.
Home Country: Tamil Nadu, India
Department: Internal Medicine
Mentorship Interests:
I am constantly learning to be curious and passionate about the journey rather than holding out for the final destination.
Wellness
Life as an immigrant
A parent in medicine
All things community
Contact me:
ramak022@umn.edu
Zoom Calendar
Hello! I was born and raised in India and completed medical school at PGIMS Rohtak in Haryana. I moved to Minnesota in 2012, where I earned my graduate degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota and completed my Family Medicine residency at the UMMC Family Medicine Residency Program (Smiley's).
I'm currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. As a Primary Care Physician, I'm deeply committed to caring for a diverse patient population and advocating for the reduction of healthcare disparities and biases, with a goal of promoting the health of underserved and marginalized groups. I am also dedicated to providing comprehensive care to gender non-diverse patients and has a special interest in developing community health curriculum for the University of Minnesota Medical Center Residency Program.
Home Country: India
Department: Family Medicine
Mentorship Interests:
Primary care
Community health
Community engagement
Health equity
Gender affirming care
Mindfulness for self-care
Self-advocacy
Contact me:
choud031@umn.edu
Schedule a Zoom meeting on my appointment calendar HERE.
I grew up in India and completed medical school at St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore. I then pursued a Master Thesis in Public Health at Umea University, Sweden, before moving to the United States for residency training In Internal Medicine at Loyola Medicine MacNeal Hospital. I completed my fellowship in Infectious Diseases at University of Minnesota Medical School, serving as the Chief Fellow in my final year of training. Following fellowship, I joined the faculty at UMN as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, and currently also serve as the Associate Program Director of University of Minnesota Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program.
My primary research focus is on Candidemia and resistant Candida infections, including molecular epidemiology of these infections. I take care of patients with general infectious diseases and HIV in my clinical practice and am particularly interested in the care of vulnerable populations. I also maintain a special focus on social determinants of health and writing.
Home Country: India
Department: Infectious Diseases and International Medicine
Mentorship Interests:
Building a beautiful life and career as an immigrant
Leadership
Professional development
Having a life outside of work while maintaining a strong work ethic
Navigating interpersonal relationships
Contact me:
erayi001@umn.edu
I grew up in Cameroon and earned my MD degree at the University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Cameron. I completed psychiatry residency training at the University of Minnesota. I am currently a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellow at the University of Minnesota. I am also currently completing a Master of Public Health program in Community Health Sciences at Tulane University.
I am passionate about decreasing the gaps that exist in children's mental health care, especially for immigrant children and children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Home Country: Cameroon
Department: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Mentorship Interests:
Wellness/work-life balance as a resident or fellow with children
Community health
Life as an immigrant
Contact me:
Morfa004@umn.edu
My name is Hannah. I was born and raised in Iran, I finished my medical school at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2015 and started my internal medicine residency at St Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA in 2020 when COVID hit. I stayed as chief resident in my program until 2024 and started my new role as an academic internal medicine hospitalist in September 2024 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. I work mainly in the inpatient setting and over both the East Bank and West Bank of the UMMC. I am truly excited to be part of this IMG mentorship program. I believe this program creates a rewarding and enriching experience both for the mentors and the mentees.
Home country: Iran
Department: Hospital Medicine
Mentorship interests:
Clinical and professional development,
Career guidance,
Cultural and professional integration,
Personal growth and wellness
Contact Me:
Email: saada024@umn.edu