First and foremost please be advised that the Fifth Pathway Report, though full of erroneous reporting, will not affect existing programs. Both Mt. Sinai and New York Medical College will remain open and will continue to receive UAG students.
After 37 years of sponsoring the Fifth Pathway programs, the AMA has decided they no longer wish to sponsor this program. In other words, as of June 30, 2009, the AMA will no longer maintain records of physicians who complete the program. This will be the responsibility of each program – Mt. Sinai and New York Medical College. The AMA also states that the programs can still be offered to graduates of foreign medical schools who wish to enhance their medical education and potentially improve their standing as a candidate for a residency training position through ECFMG certification.
The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara recognizes the consternation caused by those who do not fully understand the program and its benefits, especially when there is such a great need for bilingual/bicultural physicians.
Please be assured that your School of Medicine is aware of this development and will continue to work on your behalf.

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Moderator - UAG Forum

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I'm sorry but that report was poorly written. It sounds like we're wining and attacking Dr. Pan instead of showing concern and willingness to cooperate to resolve the issue. UAG should have revised this with the students before presenting it to the appropriate parties. I don't know too much on how the report was assembled, but with all the money that is poured into the school why didn't they hire a professional lawyer or two?

Lets hope for the best.

OMG -- I'm not crazy after all! Thank you for saying what I'd hope would have been obvious. Up until now, I thought I was the only one that wasn't doing high-fives after reading it.

I was told it's being edited (or has been--I haven't checked) for grammar and organization. I told the person who informed me of this that grammar is the last of that document's problems.

I mentioned before that I would have done it differently but again we don't know what happened before the report was written. We don't know what the AMA’s response was when the school approached them. I am not going to criticize the report because I don't know all the facts.

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I agree with uagdoc. As we can see, there was no one to "cooperate" with or "resolve" since the decision was made unilaterally and without prior notification. By the same token, nobody complains how unprofessional Dr Pan's response was by advocating transferring to 4 years universities AKA caribbean universities and some other inconsistencies on their "new" way of looking at the 5th pathway. I think the response had the right tone considering Dr Pan's letter; maybe a little help in grammar would have been great. One thing is for sure, something in the letter and/or latest efforts from students, parents, professionals, NASA, and school provoked a meeting in Guadalajara during the middle of March. Good luck.

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

I dont think Dr. P would like some of his favoritism on tropical satellites to be exposed in the media. UAG has nothing to lose ( the program is already buried in writing ) but everything to gain from this meeting. Lets hope something positive comes out of it. Good luck

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

If the 5th pathway is gone for good, and you choose to do the 6 yr route do you have to pass the mexican professional exam on top of the USMLE and if so does anyone know how hard it is?

yes. the exam is 100% in spanish so if not completely bilingual might be hard to do and to pass. I really dont know how hard it is but is not easy I guarantee it.

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

I am not worried about the spanish, my first language was spanish, I would be more worried about having to prepare for the USMLE and then another exam on top of that. Is there any prep for it (materials etc...) or are the classes good enough??? Also when do you take it, and do they allow multiple attempts?