64 Saudi physicians admitted to US fellowship programs

United States fellowship programs admitted 64 Saudi physicians, marking a landmark achievement for the Kingdom that previously failed to have doctors accepted into US programs.
“This is only one of many achievements that have been realized in the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah,” said Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Issa, Saudi cultural attaché in the US.
“This achievement is the result of the dedication and support of our country’s leadership in this regard,” he added.
Dr. Samar Al-Saqaf, general manager of the medical programs said the achievement was the result of three years of continuous planning and supervision, as well as field implementation with the cooperation of the Cultural Mission, doctors and American institutions.
“The cultural attaché prepared a report on various reasons why Saudi physicians were not accepted at these institutes,” she said.
She added: “As a result, extensive researches were made, and a road map was established in collaboration with doctors and institutes to familiarize physicians with the skills needed to pass the interview.”
The last period witnessed more than 100 field visits, 250 phone conferences, 200 signed agreements to finance academic chairs for Saudi students, with more than 150 visitors from the different medical programs to the cultural attaché premises.
“The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) saw an increase in the number of Saudi physicians acquiring American endorsements, so the deputy chairman of the commission asked to meet a team from the cultural mission to be further briefed on the scholarship programs,” said Al-Saqaf.
Acceptance in the program depends on the competency of the applicant, his researches and achievements. In the past, four Saudi physicians were accepted in such programs, while only three Saudis in the Canadian programs.