Medical center observes resilience journey of Ukrainian residents during their residency program
Ulyana Khaba, a seasoned cardiologist with over a decade of attending-level experience, has embarked on a new journey in her medical career, settling in Rochester, New York, as a first-year resident in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Rochester.
Khaba's path to the U.S. has been marked by uncertainty, as she has not made long-term plans due to the ongoing instability in her home country, Ukraine. The Russian attacks forced her to relocate her family, with her sons already in the U.S. to avoid the unrest.
Foreign-trained physicians, like Khaba, face specific requirements to practice medicine in the U.S. They must have their medical degree verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), hold a valid medical license from their home country, demonstrate English proficiency, pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), and complete a residency program in the U.S.
Khaba's extensive clinical background was a compelling factor in her match with the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Her unique experience as a cardiologist in Ukraine brings a fresh perspective to the programme, contributing to its diversity and inclusion.
The 2023-2024 incoming class of the Internal Medicine Residency Program is a testament to this commitment, with students hailing from nine countries, 22 U.S. states, and 31 medical schools.
In navigating her next steps to stay in the U.S. long-term and practice medicine, Khaba has been supported by Brett Robbins, MD, and Amy Blatt, MD, who have helped understand her circumstances.
Khaba's sister, Nataliya Uboha, an oncologist at the University of Wisconsin, also played a role in her journey, having a connection to Khaba through their shared family ties.
Amidst her new beginnings, Khaba remains actively engaged in sending aid back to Ukraine through the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America. Her plans for a vacation in February 2022 were disrupted by the Russian invasion, but she remains optimistic about her future in the U.S. and her continued efforts to support her home country.
Sources: [1] https://www.aamc.org/students/international/foreign-graduates/ [2] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/articles/foreign-medical-graduates-us-residency-programs [3] https://www.aamc.org/students/international/foreign-graduates/state-requirements [4] https://www.aamc.org/students/international/foreign-graduates/specialty-pathways
- Ulyana Khaba, with a background in medical education, is currently pursuing a new chapter in her career, participating in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Rochester, which aligns with her health-and-wellness advocacy.
- Khaba's transition to the U.S., driven by science and her commitment to her family's well-being, has led her to navigate the specific requirements for foreign-trained physicians, involving the ECFMG, USMLE, and completion of a residency program.
- Political unrest in her home country, Ukraine, has motivated Khaba to seek career development opportunities outside of war-and-conflicts, looking toward a long-term future in the U.S.
- Khaba's path in the education-and-self-development arena is aided by support from mentors like Brett Robbins, MD, Amy Blatt, MD, and her sister, Nataliya Uboha, an oncologist, who also shares a passion for health-and-wellness.
- As a global citizen, Khaba can be seen fostering mental-health support for her fellow Ukrainians through the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America, integrating her compassion for the human condition into her ongoing general-news reporting.
