George Washington University International Medicine

Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of the Leonard C. Akman Global Medicine Scholarship! Thanks to the generosity of the Akman family, fourth-year MD students completed clinical electives abroad. While rotating at different hospitals around the world, these students enriched their medical knowledge, increased cross-cultural communication, and gained insight into different healthcare systems.

Congratulations to the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD Class of 2026 who graduated this weekend! Your hard work and commitment deserves celebrating, and IMP wishes you the best on the next step of your journey as physicians!

Anushka Deogaonkar is an international medical graduate (IMG) and previous Research Fellow in IMP's Medical Research Fellowship Program (MRFP) at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Through the program, Deogaonkar received individualized guidance on research, professional development, and the application process for U.S. residency. Deogaonkar worked closely with her mentor, Dr. Marie Borum, MD, EdD ’03, MPH ’95, director of the Division of Gastroenterology and professor of medicine. After over nine months as a fellow, her research output grew significantly, and she now boasts 36 publications. Deogaonkar also had the opportunity to present at the Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Conference in Orlando, Florida last December. This summer, she will begin her first year in the GW Internal Medicine Residency Program, where she looks forward to continuing to integrate research and evidence-based medicine into her clinical work!

Check out our recent article about Anushka and her participation in MRFP linked in bio.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. While spending time in the sun this summer, make sure to put on sunscreen regularly, stay in the shade, wear protective sunglasses and clothing, and check the UV index. Free sunscreen dispensers are available around GW campus!

Avoiding indoor tanning can also reduce harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. GW is recognized as a Skin Smart Campus by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention due to pledging to keep indoor tanning devices off campus and promoting skin cancer prevention policies and education.

Photo Credits:

Scarlett Bergam, a fourth year medical student at GW SMHS, received the Lazarus Family Scholarship to engage in global health research in Durban, South Africa with the University of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease and the African Health Research Institute. Scarlett has collaborated as a researcher with these institutions since her gap year before medical school. During this time, she worked on a Fulbright-funded research project for a randomized-control trial testing the efficacy of a mobile health intervention on sexual health beliefs and attitudes. As a medical student, the Lazarus Family Scholarship funded her continued work on projects while spending two more months living and working in Durban. As she begins her OB-GYN residency this year, she will continue to advance her research skills and experiences she gained while at GW SMHS as a physician-scientist.

GW recently announced its new mission statement created through collective and thoughtful engagement between university leadership, faculty, staff, and students. The mission embodies GW's dedication to public good while embracing its history and advantageous location in the nation's capital. IMP is proud to be a part of the GW community and aims to advance international medical education in alignment with this mission.

Throwback to Match Day 2026!

Last month, fourth-year medical students at GW celebrated an incredible milestone as they matched into esteemed residency programs across the U.S. We’re proud to be part of the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences community, helping train compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals.

Congratulations to all our future physicians- we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!

Photo Credit: William Atkins and Cooper Tyksinski/GW SMHS

Spring has sprung! DC offers countless activities to enjoy this beautiful season including...

🌷Passport DC Events for International Cultural Awareness Month
🌷Paddle Boats on the Tidal Basin
🌷Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens
🌷Old Town Alexandria

Happy National Doctors' Day! IMP recognizes the efforts of the physicians who dedicate their lives to promote the health of their patients and communities. A special thank you to the doctors and medical students at GW SMHS who make the institution an esteemed and competitive destination for medical education and patient care.

Happy Spring! It's cherry blossom season in DC! Check out these spots for the best views of the beautiful blossoms while they last:

🌸 U.S. National Arboretum
🌸 Tidal Basin
🌸 Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
🌸 Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral
🌸 Hains Point Loop Trail

Photo Credit: Harrison Jones/GW Today