Medical professionals from Ukraine find resilience at our center during their residency program
In the heart of upstate New York, the University of Rochester's Internal Medicine Residency Program has welcomed a unique addition to its 2023-2024 incoming class. Dr. Ulyana Khaba, a seasoned cardiologist with over a decade of experience, is embarking on a new journey as a first-year resident.
Brett Robbins, MD, and Amy Blatt, MD, medical education leaders, were contacted to understand Ulyana's circumstances. It transpires that her journey is not typical, but it aligns with the usual process for integrating foreign-trained specialists into the US medical system.
Cardiologists in the US follow a specific pathway, starting with an Internal Medicine residency, typically lasting three years, followed by a cardiology fellowship for subspecialty training. Dr. Khaba, having completed at least some of her residency at a US ACGME accredited program, is now eligible to practice in the US. However, her previous training and certification may not be recognized by US medical boards, necessitating a repeat of the Internal Medicine residency.
This situation is more common among international medical graduates (IMGs). IMGs who have specialized in cardiology abroad but wish to practice in the US often need to redo the Internal Medicine residency before applying for fellowships like cardiology again. The US cardiology fellowships primarily accept US allopathic graduates but also IMGs who complete US residencies.
Ulyana's extensive clinical background and personal situation were compelling factors in her match with the Internal Medicine Residency Program. She and her family relocated from Ukraine due to Russian attacks, making several border crossings and last-minute flights to reach the US.
Dr. Khaba is actively engaged in sending aid back home to Ukraine through the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), an organization she is connected with. Her sister, Nataliya Uboha, is an oncologist at the University of Wisconsin.
Ruth O'Regan, MD, is the chair of Medicine at the medical center where Ulyana is now a resident. She expressed her admiration for Ulyana, stating, "Dr. Khaba brings over 10 years of real-world attending level cardiology experience to our program. Her experience in Ukraine brings a new perspective that will enrich our residents' learning experience."
Despite the unconventional path, Ulyana is transitioning into the intern role with grace and determination. Her sons, who were sent to the US to avoid the coming unrest in Ukraine, will soon join her in Rochester, helping to settle down their family life.
The 2023-2024 incoming class of the Internal Medicine Residency Program includes students from nine countries, 22 US states, and 31 medical schools, reflecting the program's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The University of Rochester has also put together a list of resources for helping the people of Ukraine, demonstrating its support for the global community.
As Ulyana embarks on this new chapter of her life, she remains a highly qualified physician and a wonderful human being, ready to contribute her expertise and experiences to the medical community in Rochester.
- Ulyana Khaba, a cardiologist with over a decade of experience, is undergoing a new phase in her medical education as a first-year resident in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Rochester.
- Dr. Khaba's journey is atypical but follows the usual process for integrating foreign-trained specialists into the US medical system, necessitating a repeat of the Internal Medicine residency.
- In the US, cardiologists follow a specific pathway, starting with an Internal Medicine residency, followed by a cardiology fellowship for subspecialty training.
- Ulyana's extensive clinical background and personal situation were key factors in her admission to the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Rochester.
- Ruth O'Regan, MD, the chair of Medicine at the medical center where Ulyana is now a resident, praised Ulyana, noting her real-world attending level cardiology experience and the new perspective she will bring to the residents' learning experience.
- Ulyana is actively involved in sending aid back home to Ukraine through the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), an organization she is connected with.
- The 2023-2024 incoming class of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Rochester reflects the program's commitment to diversity and inclusion, with students from nine countries, 22 US states, and 31 medical schools.
- The University of Rochester has shown its support for the global community by putting together a list of resources for helping the people of Ukraine.
