Returning home: Three grads’ journeys to practicing as MDs in Canada

St. George’s University students are from all over the world, and many dream of returning to their home country to practice medicine after graduation. As the largest provider of doctors into first-year residencies in North America, it’s no surprise that students from the Great White North turn to SGU to follow that dream.

“Many Canadians have attended SGU to become a physician and been incredibly successful,” said Charles Furey, director of admissions for Canada at SGU. “We’re proud to have over 2,100 medical graduates from Canada in our alumni network and are encouraged by the strength of that community and what it means for students who are looking for guidance on the process of returning to Canada after graduation.”

SGU News spoke with three SOM grads about their journey from Canada to Grenada and back again to follow their dream of becoming a physician. They shared their advice for how aspiring MDs can be successful on the same path.

“SGU gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. It is through its extensive clinical affiliations that I was able to secure clerkships in many great hospitals that provided me with amazing mentorship opportunities that helped me find my path and pursue my dream.”

Dr. Iman Naimi, Congenital Interventional Cardiologist

Iman Naimi, MD ’14

Hometown: Vancouver, Canada

Current position: Congenital interventional cardiologist, clinical assistant professor of pediatric cardiology at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

Hospital: Stollery Children’s Hospital and Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute

SGU: Did you always know you wanted to practice in Canada and how did you prepare for that?

Dr. Naimi: Canada is my home, and I always knew that one day I would return and practice somewhere in Canada after my training.

At SGU, I joined the Canadian Student Association and went to all the info sessions to stay up to date with different provincial policies and elective sites. While in school, I took the MCCEE alongside the USMLE. I also did a family medicine rotation in Vancouver, BC, and was able to obtain an excellent recommendation letter to increase my chances of matching into the Canadian residency program. However, after learning the timeline of CaRMS relative to the US match, I decided to only apply for US residency programs.

I then decided to take the Royal College Exam for Pediatrics to ensure I could eventually obtain a license to practice in Canada. During my fellowship, when looking for a job in Canada, I found that Alberta (CPSA) did not require me to take the Royal College Exam for cardiology, and since I passed my boards in the US, I could obtain a practice permit in Canada.

SGU: What advice do you have for SGU students who are hoping to practice in Canada after graduation?

Dr. Naimi: What I have learned is that the best way to prepare is to plan ahead. This entails getting involved with the Canadian Student Association and attending all the meetings and information sessions. It is very important to reach out to Canadian programs early on in your training to inquire about elective rotation opportunities. Given the timeline of the Canadian and US match in the past, I personally chose to apply only for US residency and fellowship spots and was still able to land a job in Canada. If you choose this path, depending on the Province that you want to work in, you may be required to take the Royal College Exams. It is crucial to know the timeline of all the Canadian exams and be prepared to take them alongside the US exams. This will provide ease when applying to Canadian residency programs or job opportunities after you complete your training.

If you maintain a high GPA and board scores, as well as excel in your clerkship training by demonstrating that you can perform well in a busy clinical setting, you will set yourself apart from others. Throughout your training, it is very important to form strong connections with mentors, especially those within the institution and program that you would like to pursue, allowing you to receive excellent recommendation letters for residency opportunities after graduation.

SGU: Looking back on your journey to where you are today, why was SGU the right fit for you?

Dr. Naimi: SGU gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. It is through its extensive clinical affiliations that I was able to secure clerkships in many great hospitals that provided me with amazing mentorship opportunities that helped me find my path and pursue my dream.

Robinder Bahniwal, MD ’14

Hometown: Toronto, Canada

Current position: Family medicine physician

Hospital: Echo Valley Medical

SGU: Did you always know you wanted to practice in Canada?

Dr. Bahniwal: I did to an extent. I was okay staying in the US as well, and I did stay there for residency and three years afterward. However, I always wanted to keep my options open for Canada, so I did take my Canadian Qualifying Exams along with the USMLE exams.

SGU: How did you prepare for your return throughout med school?

Dr. Bahniwal: There are various ways to get back into Canada, but I did my research beforehand, decided that I wanted an independent license, and ensured my exams were done. When I completed my American Board of Family Medicine residency, getting my independent license in Canada was a seamless process.

SGU: Why did you choose family medicine?

Dr. Bahniwal: I very much enjoy seeing patients of all age groups, along with the variety of patient cases. In family medicine, you can see everything ranging from acute ailments to chronic disease management, women’s health, dermatology, and sports medicine which can be heavy in procedures if that is something you enjoy, along with pediatric and geriatric medicine, giving you the vast age range if that is also something you enjoy.

SGU: What advice do you have for SGU students hoping to practice in Canada after graduation?

Dr. Bahniwal: My advice is to never give up. It is a challenging road with peaks and troughs, but your perseverance will take you through the long haul, and the journey will definitely be worth it.

Eirn Boparai, MD ’19

Current position: Fourth-year psychiatry resident

Hospital: University of Manitoba

Hometown: Kelowna, BC, Canada

St. George’s University: Did you always know you wanted to practice in Canada?

Dr. Boparai: Yes, coming back to Canada was always my goal. I was constantly reminded how difficult it would be, about the statistics of how tough it is to match back to Canada, and that I should focus on the US. But I ensured I had enough time to prepare for Canadian exams, I never underestimated them, and I asked others who had matched in Canada for advice and their own experiences and used that as a template for myself.

SGU: How did it feel to learn you were successful?

Dr. Boparai: I was in disbelief. I had to screenshot my match results and confirm with my friends that I wasn’t hallucinating. After their confirmation, I cried tears of joy for the first time in my life. It was and still is the happiest moment of my life.

SGU: Why did you choose psychiatry as your specialty?

Dr. Boparai: I’ve always enjoyed hearing stories and getting to know someone. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I worked with various organizations that emphasized mental health services and this was the foundation of my interest. Once in medical school, I shadowed a psychiatrist attending and immediately knew it was the right choice for me.

SGU: How did your experience at SGU help you get to where you are today?

Dr. Boparai: I completed my first year of medical school in the UK, then Grenada, and rotated for clinicals throughout the US and Canada. The ability to adapt and constantly change with traveling developed these skills and allowed me to build a network of connections which helped with career planning. SGU allowed me to pursue my medical goals after other options weren’t possible.

SGU: What advice do you have for SGU students hoping to practice in Canada after graduation?

Dr. Boparai: Many factors must come together to match, including your exam scores, application, clinical experiences, and CARMS interviews. For each step, put your best into it, ask for help, and remember that school isn’t only about studying and learning; it’s about life experiences you can gain through the friendships you make and places you travel to. There will always be work to do, so enjoy the present. Your experiences will make you a better physician.

—Sarah Stoss

Returning home: Three grads’ journeys to practicing as MDs in Canada