As part of the mentoring side of the project, the PEGASUS Institute is hosting and participating in events that provide information and networking opportunities, as well as mentoring connections for IEHPs.
The stakeholder analysis of 2022 reinforced to us that IEHPs could benefit from having access to networks and opportunities where they can gain some exposure to healthcare practice in Canada and get to know members of their new community. These opportunities also help IEHPs build their “Canadian Resume” which is necessary when trying to gain employment or to return to school. These opportunities can be in the form of a formal mentorship program (to come in 2024) as well as part of larger networking opportunities and conference.
In July of 2023 a Networking Day for IEHPs was held alongside the 2023 North American Refugee Health Conference in Calgary with sessions addressing pathways to licensure, alternative careers, and personal stories of Refugee Health Professionals in Canada.
In collaboration with the Alberta International Medical Graduate Association, the Pegasus Institute held networking and mentoring meetings for refugee physicians, which could be participated in person or online.
Dr. Neil Arya, Chair of the Pegasus Institute, was also part of the panel discussion on “Looking back at where we’ve been, our current state, and into the future”, discussing how Canada and the USA have dealt with the integration of IMGs/ITPs, the challenges and barriers faced, the gains made as a result of wide-spread advocacy, and the barriers that still need to be addressed and how we can best do this. The actions being taken at the current time by different organizations to advance the issues of internationally trained physicians and other healthcare professionals will be highlighted.
Below are videos of some of the speakers who participated in the panel discussions on July 20, 2023.
General overview of pathways to licensure
Personal experience in becoming a licensed doctor in Canada
Challenges and experience in becoming a licensed doctor in Canada
