The AMA's role in helping doctors is slightly above worthless. The seem to be more of only a "moral majority" of doctors, giving their blessing on what they like. It appears that they have already formally abandoned their outdated useful role in the 5th pathwaya while ago. However, this post appears different in that they are revoking their "blessing" on 5th pathway residents.

This is a personal hit against the UAG, and I highly question thier motives. However, the UAG, and the US and Mexican governments still have options. Hold your breath... this is not over yet.

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"You do not truly understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." Albert Einstein

Transferring doesn't necessarily mean goodbye to California. Someone else posted something about losing the California option earlier too. The big Caribbean schools are 'California-appoved.' (Ross, St. George's, AUC for example....the ones most people talk about transferring to here) So, you only lose the California option if you were to transfer to one of the more obscure Caribbean schools or some other foreign school that isn't approved by California.

Welcome to the Medical Board of California - Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California

i will call regina tom and give her a nice talking to, she told me back a while ago this was all a rumor and to tell all of my friends as she was getting a little angered by all the phone calls, and if the document came out in november she or uag had to have known SOMETHINGS

When did you talk to her? Was it after the date of the ruling?

it was before november, but there were similar postings on this website so i called her, now maybe she did not have any idea of the the ama ruleing however, the doc came out in nov and only a month before posts were already on this website, i find that an unusual coincidence,she said so many students were calling her, there must have been some truth then to the original posts back in sep-oct of last year,

i did contact the uag admis department today and they claim it was a rumor, i spoke to the director, however, i am going to make sure my boyfriend defers his application, i dont care if i have to do all the work myself

I agree with ACGT maybe these changes will be for the better and will force the UAG to make changes to the program. The problem is a lot of US governemt agencies ruling on the same thing. All international graduates have to go through ecfmg to get in to residency except 5th Pathway students that have to be ACGME certified. NYMC didn't lie when they said the program is governed by the state of NY. A solution for the problem can be an alternate route is created through ECFMG(which is already in charge of fmgs). There is nothing the AMA or ACGME can do as long as the students become ECFMG certified to enter residency. I think the AMA dislike FMGs and as time passes they will make it harder for people to become doctors. The passing scores for the steps went up by at least 15-20 points since it was first created and they currently have a task force in place to eventually change the whole USMLE concept and system. I don't think the UAG will allow the international program to close. They will have to adapt to the new rules. States like California and NY wamt the system in place because it provides Spanish speaking doctors. I would stay calm because everyone will have a choice to make wheather to stay, to transfer out or to start somewhere else. I think we should help the school to find an alternative. When the 5th Pathway program started 30 yrs ago, students and their families wrote to their congressman/woman and senators of each state and they started this program in all 50 states. I think if 7500 practicing doctors, current students and their families start writing their representatives something will get done. Lets not trow the towel and quit. I will call San Antonio tomorrow and will try to find out what is going on. Lets not panic yet.

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Moderator - UAG Forum

I am okay with six years, Im more worried about getting a residency when I return. I don't mind the social service as long as I can do a one year internship somewhere in the US. Thats what was so great about fifth pathway it allowed folks to develop relationships and also gain experience in US clinical settings that is kinda helpful when applying for residency. i have been pretty depressed these past couple of days as if I have been hit by a ton of bricks. I was really looking forward to living in Mexico and now Im not too sure. Oh well.

Phone: (916) 734-1518
Fax: (916) 456-2236
richard.pan@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

This is the contact info for the chair of the AMA Council on Medical Education. I encourage people to write him and let him know how this is affecting us and to suggest alternatives. I also encourage people to be civil......who knows maybe he's a reasonable guy..........

the ACGME isn't the only way even currently to become licensed in the States. Right on the UAG's website it tells you how one can go through the ECFMG to become licensed, which I posted earlier. Thing is, one must decide if he/she wants to take that route...it is 6 years; many of us just aren't willing to spend that amount of time (and I love it here!). The kicker was that ACGME appeared to be a better (and faster) route for many of us...then again, it's all relative.