By Yashjot Kaur
From a small town in India to the vast medical community in the United States, my journey as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) has been one of resilience, discovery, and growth. When I decided to pursue a residency in the U.S., I had few opportunities available. As a first-generation medical student, the first in my family to ever take an international flight, and from a background where neither of my parents spoke English fluently, my journey has had many peaks and valleys.
In my first year of medical school, I fell in love with anatomy. As an artist at heart, surgery combined my passion for art and anatomy. Crafting mandala art, with its intricate designs and attention to detail, mirrors the precision required in surgery, and, very much like art, surgery provides me with an opportunity to work with my hands.
When I decided to pursue a career in surgery, I noticed the low representation of female surgeons in the department and wondered about the factors contributing to this disparity. Motivated to explore these issues, I designed a study to assess the influences and deterrents for medical students of all genders considering a surgical career. I was amazed by the study results, where both male and female students reported an equal interest in pursuing surgery, highlighting the need to encourage more women to enter the field. With a question in mind about how to bridge the gap to encourage more females to pursue surgery, I submitted the abstract “ Assessment of Factors and Deterrents Influencing Medical Students in Pursuing a Career in Surgical Disciplines: Gender-Based Perceptions From a Teaching Hospital in India” for poster presentation at the ACS Clinical Congress Medical Student Program. It was accepted to be presented in Boston that year!
My first time presenting at an international conference was a rewarding experience. It was during my first few days in the US that I was introduced to the Association of Women Surgeons by an amazing mentor I connected with through art. As a student, I had limited access to female surgical role models, but AWS introduced me to an incredible community of women surgeons who have inspired and guided me. As an IMG, finding mentors can be challenging, but through AWS, I have built a network of supportive mentors who have been instrumental in my journey. From attending the wine and cheese event to having my art displayed at the annual conference, my involvement with AWS has been transformative. I have since participated in many virtual webinars and events conducted by AWS and have presented my research at the medical student poster competition held online.
As I embark on the next chapter of my career, applying for the general surgery match in 2025, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve received. AWS has played a vital role in my professional growth, and I look forward to paying it forward by inspiring the next generation of surgeons.
I am an International Medical Graduate (IMG) from India, currently applying for the general surgery residency match in 2025. As a first-generation doctor and college graduate, I’ve pursued my medical education with passion and dedication, earning gold medals in anatomy, otorhinolaryngology, and head and neck surgery. My love for surgery is rooted in my passion for art, where precision and creativity come together.
Outside of medicine, I express my artistic side as a mandala artist, creating intricate designs that reflect the same attention to detail required in surgery. And a fun fact: Since I was born on February 29th, I’m officially just 6 years old!
Twitter Handle- @KaurYashjot5833
Instagram art page- _the_mandala_doc