82. IMGRoadmap Series #88 Dr. Devanshi Shah (Pediatrics)

The IMG Roadmap Podcast

Have you always dreamed about specializing in pediatrics but you are not sure what steps to take to achieve this goal? Dr. Devanshi Shah joins us today to share her medical success story from medical school to serving as a PGY1 pediatrics resident at Maimonides Medical Center, New York. Keep listening to find out how she did it!

Indian-born Dr. Shah completed medical school in Mumbai in June of 2020, after which she immediately started working towards her aspiration of completing residency in pediatrics in the United States.

Here are a few highlights of Dr. Shah’s Medical Background:

• She completed medical school at one of the largest tertiary care educational centers in India.
• Started preparation for USMLE during the 3rd year of her 5.5 year MBBS program.
• Applied for electives during her 4th year while completing application for USMLE exams including step 2 CS.
• Wrote her final MBBS exam in 2019 and completed US clinical rotations in hematology, and pediatric endocrinology for which she had applied a year in advance.
• Through these rotations, she gained a valuable introduction to American healthcare systems and EMRs.
• Took Step 2 CS in Houston before returning to Mumbai for her last year of mandatory internship.

Though internship was especially difficult because of the many sleepless nights required to study and work at the same time, Dr. Shah was still able to score 241 in both her Step 1 and Step 2 CK!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though Dr. Shah faced various challenges in the residency application process such as the novelty of virtual interviews. She was still thankful to be able to participate in the match.

She landed quite a few interviews and eventually matched into her first choice of program at Maimonides Medical Center!

Dr. Shah postulates that letters of interest and intent can positively affect an applicant’s chances of matching, as was proven through her own experience. She defines these letters as follows:

Letter of Interest:
This is a succinct, clearly-written letter that is directed to prospective programs hoping for an interview. It discusses you as a candidate, your scores, what you're doing clinically, your experience, and your knowledge of the program.

Letter of Intent:
This is a letter written to the program you are planning to rank number 1 - do not send it to more than one program. It should state why you are ranking the program first and how you can be an asset to them.

What are some key pieces of advice that IMGs interested in pediatrics should consider?

• Do not apply as a backup, or failsafe - commit fully because you have a lifelong passion for dealing with children and their parents,
• Gain as much experience with kids even outside of the medical capacity.
• Understand the important distinctions between pediatrics and other specialties such as internal medicine.
• Work on your intra and interpersonal skills.
• Strive to have at least one American LOR within pediatrics and as much US clinical experience as possible.
• Work hard and do your best!

You can reach out to Dr. Shah via her Instagram @thepediatricsgirl.

Listen to the full episode via Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.

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