The Indian Health Service, Office of Quality, Division of Quality Assurance and Patient Safety, Credentialing Program is hosting a one-hour virtual eLearning session for their IHS Medical Service Professional (aka Credentialist) on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11 am EST. There will be a guest speaker from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).  This information is relevant to our Tribal and Urban credentialing and clinical colleagues who would like to attend, please share this information with your contacts.

Additional information on the ECFMG:

As you may know, International medical graduates (IMGs) comprise one-quarter of the U.S. physician workforce. Certification by ECFMG is the standard for evaluating the qualifications of these physicians before they enter U.S. graduate medical education (GME), where they provide supervised patient care. ECFMG Certification is also a requirement for IMGs to take Step 3 of the three-step United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE^®)  and to obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States.

ECFMG provides other programs for IMGs pursuing U.S. GME, including those that assist them with the process of applying for U.S. GME positions; and that sponsor foreign nationals for the J-1 visa for the purpose of participating in such programs. ECFMG offers a verification service that allows GME programs, state medical boards, hospitals, and credentialing agencies in the United States to obtain primary-source confirmation that their IMG applicants are certified by ECFMG.

If you are interested in participating please reach out to CAPT Harjo who’s information if below.

Dione Harjo, MPH, CPCS, Credentialing Program Coordinator

Dione.Harjo@ihs.gov

(Ret.) CAPT, US Public Health Service

(W) (240) 535-2199