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Sometimes, when applying for residency, you may feel like you don’t check all of the boxes on the program coordinators’ list. But you shouldn’t let this discourage you – proceed anyway! Dr. Anita Lwanga is here today to show us how persistence and belief in yourself can yield results. Keep listening to find out more!
Calling in from Western Canada where she grew up and did her undergraduate training, Dr. Lwanga begins by sharing some of her background:
- Born in Kenya, she is the daughter of Ugandan refugees who later migrated to Canada.
- Her father was an IMG in Canada after migrating. His hard work inspired her to study medicine, regardless of how difficult it was to get into Canadian schools.
- She attended medical school at the St. Matthews University in the Cayman Islands.
- Completed residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago.
- Engaged in a fellowship in geriatrics at the University of Illinois.
- Worked in Upstate New York.
- Moved back to Canada to practice as a general internist.
- She currently does both in-patient and out-patient work in her own clinic and at the hospital.
Dr. Lwanga’s unique residency story:
- She was sure to choose a medical school that friends and family had also attended.
- She did not match into residency the first time.
- The second time around, she landed some interviews.
- She ended up matching into a program for which her friend had gotten her an interview.
- At the winning interview, the program coordinators had said that they preferred green-card holders, which she wasn’t. Regardless, they were so impressed by her, that they chose her on the spot despite the odds!
As such, she advises IMGs to:
- Network as much as possible.
- Get LORs from experts who are known to the program coordinators.
- Be confident in what you have to offer. Capitalize on what makes you unique.
- Follow your gut!
As a former competitive gymnast, Dr. Lwanga is passionate about nutrition and exercise. She has high hopes for her practice and envisions a future where she will be able to see her patients with no rush and incorporate lifestyle medicine in her care.
You can reach out to Dr. Lwanga and learn more about her inspiring story via:
Linkedin: Anita Lwanga
Instagram: @lwangamd
Twitter: @lwangamd
Tiktok: @drlwanga
Access free resources and view our course catalog at imgroadmap.com.
You can also listen to all full episodes of the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts and Spotify.