In September, New York is a place where the clouds are light, and dreams take flight. On September 29, a group of young people dressed in suits, filled with the dream of practicing medicine in the United States, gathered at the second floor of the Sheraton Hotel in Flushing with another group of practicing physicians from the metropolitan area of New York. They came together for a Mock Interview event organized by the Association of Chinese Physicians (ACAP), which has a long-standing tradition of over ten years.
A total of 41 interviewers from various specialties, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Pathology, and Oncology, conducted one-on-one mock interviews with each applicant, with three rounds of 30-minute sessions. They simulated the interviews and engaged in in-depth discussions and post-interview feedback, covering everything from demeanor to how to answer challenging questions posed by interviewers.
In the afternoon, the meeting was hosted by Dr. Ziqiang Zhu, the current vice president of ACAP. Dr. Zhu had participated in ACAP’s Mock Interview 11 years ago, and he empathized with the applicants’ feelings as he moved from one side of the table to the other.
While everyone enjoyed lunch, Dr. Jorge Con, the former Program Director of the Surgical Residency Program at Westchester Medical Center, shared his experience of entering residency as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) and later becoming the director of a surgical training program. He discussed important points for foreign medical graduates aiming to enter residency programs from the perspective of a Program Director.
Dr. Sherman Dunn, the Program Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training Program at NYCH+H/South Brooklyn Health (formerly Coney Island Hospital), also provided insights from a residency program director. The discussion was lively, covering topics such as the pros and cons of published articles and research experiences for residency applications, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of social media in the assessment of applicants by Program Directors.
After the lecture, many applicants and physicians stayed behind to continue networking, leaving reluctantly in the late afternoon. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of life; while most residency programs still conduct interviews online, ACAP’s event was particularly special. The applicants fully understood the importance of interviews, learned interview techniques, and were provided with a platform for mutual recognition and exchange. The time for mock interviews was short, but the journey to practicing medicine in the United States will be long!
In addition to the strong support from ACAP board members and many lifetime members, many young physicians who have benefited from ACAP, including those currently in residency training and fellowship programs, actively participated to give back to ACAP. ACAP thanks all the physicians who contributed to this event.
ACAP also expresses gratitude to the sponsors of this event, including CAIPA (Chinese American Independent Physicians Association), New York Life, and Hilb Group, for their substantial support. The success of this event would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers.
Today’s efforts are aimed at a better tomorrow. We look forward to hearing good news from many applicants on Match Day, March 21, next year. ACAP is committed to strengthening the ranks of Chinese American physicians and is dedicated to taking care of our community!
