The ECFMG® Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program hosted its 2008 conference on September 22-23 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The audience for this event included Training Program Liaisons, graduate medical education administrators, program coordinators, and international office personnel from institutions involved in the training of international medical graduates. The agenda focused on institutional policies and practices.
| Monday, September 22, 2008 Conference Registration Begins at 2:30 pm at the Sheraton Society Hill |
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| Monday Afternoon Pre-scheduled times ECFMG Offices 3624 Market Street |
Pre-Conference Activity: Tour of Philadelphia CSEC Test Center Pre-registered attendees will tour the Philadelphia Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) Test Center. CSEC, a collaboration of ECFMG and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®), is responsible for delivery of the USMLE Step 2 CS exam. |
| 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Ballroom D and E |
Opening Session and Reception Speakers: James A. Hallock, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, ECFMG William P. Burdick, MD, MSEd, Associate Vice President for Education, FAIMER |
| Tuesday, September 23, 2008 | |
| 7:30 am to 8:45 am Foyer |
Continental Breakfast |
| 7:45 am to 8:45 am Ballroom B and C |
Early Bird Special: ECFMG Refresher Speakers: Stephen S. Seeling, JD, Vice President for Operations  William C. Kelly, MS, Associate Vice President for Operations Darrell Griffin, BBA, CPA, Manager, Financial Services and Facilities Anna M. Iacone, BBA, Manager, ERAS Support Services Eleanor M. Fitzpatrick, MA, Manager, EVSP ECFMG staff will provide basic information and updates on ECFMG Certification, the Certification Verification Service (CVS), ERAS, and J-1 visa sponsorship. Q & A will follow. |
| 8:45 am to 9:00 am | Break |
| 9:00 am to 9:40 am Ballroom C and D |
GME and Immigration Issues: The National Perspective Speakers: Claire S. Ayer, BA, Director, Office of International Staff, Scholars & Students, Partners Healthcare System, Inc. Timothy Johnson, MS, MA, Vice President for Finance & GME, Greater New York Hospital Association In an effort to frame the day's discussion, speakers will offer an overview of current trends in U.S. residency training, accreditation, funding, and immigration. They will highlight emerging academic and government proposals that may impact IMGs and GME programs. |
| 9:40 am to 10:15 am Ballroom C and D |
U.S. Visas: What Every GME Program Should Know Speaker: Abigail M. Rupp, BS, Deputy Chief, Visa Office, Post Liaison Division, U.S. Department of State Lynden D. Melmed, Esq., Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Details on visa issuance policies, security clearances, application procedures, and timelines will be offered at this session. Specific topics will include consular processing, security clearances, and inter-agency tracking. |
| 10:15 am to 10:30 am | Break |
| 10:30 am to 11:30 am Ballroom C and D |
Institutional Compliance and the IMG in Residency Speakers: Bruce R. Larson, Esq., Senior Immigration Counsel & Director, International Personnel Office, Legal Department, Mayo Clinic Ann H. Lance, Senior International Personnel Advisor, International Personnel Office, Mayo Clinic Carolyn Snipe, MA, Director, GME, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System Speakers will provide insight on how to best manage the myriad of compliance issues associated with IMGs in residency training. Particular emphasis will be placed on the academic, employment, and immigration reporting responsibilities of the GME office. |
| 11:30 am to 12:00 pm Ballroom C and D |
Ask the Immigration Experts Speakers: Robert D. Aronson, Esq., Principal Partner & Managing Director, Aronson & Associates, PA H. Ronald Klasko, Esq., Managing Partner, Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Nationally renowned immigration attorneys will be prepared to respond to questions about those unique and complicated scenarios that arise for IMGs in training. |
| 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm Hamilton Room |
Plenary Lunch: Acculturation and Orientation Issues for the IMG Speaker: Vijay K. Rajput, MD, Program Director, Cooper University Hospital A discussion with an experienced internal medicine program director focusing on acculturation and orientation issues, including new ECFMG resources and initiatives. |
| 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm Ballroom C and D |
Case Studies and Discussion Attendees will be organized in small groups to discuss and share their approaches to real-life scenarios involving IMGs in U.S. residency training. Subject matter experts will facilitate the group dialogue and formulate conclusions on the options and best practices to consider in managing complex IMG issues. |
| 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm Ballroom C and D |
Open Q & A with Conference Presenters Time has been allotted to allow attendees to address outstanding issues and ask questions of any of the conference presenters. |
| 3:15 pm to 3:30 pm | Break |
| 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Ballroom C and D |
Update on Conrad State 30 Reauthorization and the Waiver Process Speakers: Connie Berry, MA, Manager, Texas Primary Care Office, Department of State Health Services Craig A. Kalkut, Esq., Counsel, Office of Senator Kent Conrad (ND) Congressional staff and state health officer will give an update on the reauthorization of the Conrad State 30 waiver program and related legislation. Requirements for "flex" spots and HPSA and MUA designation will also be offered. |
| 4:30 pm to 4:45 pm | Closing Remarks |
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