Strength In Unity Among Turkish Physicians
Walking a path alone greatly differs from navigating it with the collective experiences and guidance of numerous individuals who have previously walked that same route. Deciding to embark on a journey without any preceding examples can at times be more challenging than the journey itself. In the context of pursuing a medical career in the United States, what truly motivates us is witnessing the accomplishments successes of those who have walked this journey ahead of us. These individuals have successfully navigated the challenges of the path we are on, and their achievements serve as powerful inspirations for our own aspirations.
After you have decided to journey to the United States, you may have observed that a significant portion of the International Medical Graduate (IMG) population comprises of individuals from Indian, Pakistani, and South American backgrounds. The consistent flow of physicians from these countries to the United States has been ongoing for numerous years. One of the principal factors contributing to their success is the network they have cultivated among themselves. Notably, the official website of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) shows 53 Ethnic Physician Organizations [1]. While no organization specifically addresses physicians of Turkish origin, five organizations address those of Indian origin.
Though the missions of these organizations may vary, their overarching aim is to connect physicians who share a similar cultural heritage. Some among them have histories spanning five decades and encompass tens of thousands of members. Organizations that initiated with as few as 20 individuals now have memberships of 20,000 [2]. The knowledge accumulated over these 50 years is diligently passed down from one generation to another.
Within these organizations, they organize their own congresses and provide mentoring and internship opportunities to students. It’s a support system that continues for generations. With such a nurturing environment and diverse prospects, the challenges of proceeding on this arduous journey are lightened, and one becomes prepared to confront potential obstacles.
The absence of such an organization among Turkish physicians in the US is quite evident. We are mostly uninformed about the achievements of many Turkish physicians who started their journey in the United States years ago. Even if we do know, establishing communication is often a great challenge. Attempting to reinvent the wheel is holding us back from reaching our full potential.
Sharing the same homeland creates a strong bond among us. We grew up on the same streets, studied side by side, and shared laughter and tears over the same movies. Our understanding of each other goes beyond what we might realize. At different stages, we might require a helping hand, and simultaneously, we can extend our support to those who are a few steps behind us. This dynamic strengthens us without taking anything away from us.
The Society of Turkish American Physicians (STAP) was established with this purpose of uniting Turkish-American physicians while preserving our cultural heritage and enhancing communication within the community. By connecting physicians who share a common journey, this organization has the capacity to ease difficulties, empower its members, and contribute to the advancement of medical practice with increased presence of dedicated Turkish physicians in the United States. This entity of unity will reshape the Turkish-American medical practice and contribute to a brighter future for everyone involved.
Guest Author: Sena Colak, MD
Graduated from Hacettepe School of Medicine in 2020. Worked as a physician for 2 years. Currently applying for Internal Medicine residency. Loves pottery and photography.
Sources
1. Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). “Ethnic Physician Organizations.” ECFMG, https://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/links-ethnic-physician.html
2. Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA). “About Us.” https://appna.org/about-us/