Resolution Reached on J-1
Visa Sponsorship in Non-Standard Programs
October 25, 2002-Since May, the AAMC, along with the
American Medical Association (AMA), American Hospital Association
(AHA), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), Council
of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), and Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), has been engaged in
discussions with the State Department about two issues: (1)
which GME programs are eligible to receive international physicians
under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and (2) for what program
duration. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
(ECFMG), which certifies foreign physicians and administers
the J-1 program under a memorandum of understanding with the
Department of State, has facilitated the discussions.
An Oct. 18, 2002 letter
from ECFMG to Stanley Colvin, J.D., Director of the Office
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, U.S. Department
of State, summarizes the consensus position that will become
effective July 1, 2003. For programs recognized by an appropriate
Board of ABMS but not accredited by ACGME and without a specialty
certificate, the program's sponsor and all its accredited
programs will have to be in good standing with ACGME. The
program must be directly associated with an ACGME-accredited
program and approved by the sponsoring institution's GME Committee.
A program description must be submitted by the program director
and documentation of need by the home country submitted by
the Ministry of Health.
For J-1 visa sponsored physicians in accredited programs,
program length will continue to be limited to the accredited
length indicated in the AMA Graduate Medical Education Directory
(green book).
Information:
Sunny Yoder, Director of Resident Affairs
AAMC Health Care Affairs
syoder@aamc.org
(202) 828-0497
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