IMG Residency Preparation Program – BRIIDGE

Applications are due by Monday, May 19, 2025, 4:30 p.m. CT

Details

The University of Minnesota, in partnership with Minnesota Department of Health, will again offer a residency preparatory program for international medical graduates (IMGs). The faculty leads for this program are Drs. Hope Pogemiller, and Michael Westerhaus. This nine–month program will consist of inpatient and outpatient training opportunities as well as community and classroom-based components to optimally prepare participants to match into and succeed in residency programs. Participants will be selected through a competitive application; and will be based on meeting the eligibility requirements as well as readiness for residency, personal initiative, ambitions, and motivations for desiring to complete residency, previous clinical experience, and future goals as a practicing professionals.

Application timeline

• Applications will open on Friday, March 28, 2025
• Applications due online: Monday, May 19, 2025, 4:30 p.m. CT
• Interview of candidates: TBD in late June 2025
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Simulation: Friday, July 11, 2025 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM  (University of Minnesota campus)
• Notification of selected participants: Early August 2025

Eligibility

• An immigrant now residing permanently in the US as a US citizen or permanent resident;
• Did not enter the United States on a J1 or similar nonimmigrant visa following acceptance into a United States medical residency or fellowship program;
• MD degree or international equivalent;
• At least two years of documented Minnesota residency by the application due date, May 19, 2025;
• ECFMG Certification including passing score on USMLE Steps 1 & 2 within 3 attempts;
• Demonstrated typing proficiency;
• Personal health insurance coverage throughout the program period.

Application materials

In addition to answering application questions, interested applicants should submit ALL of the following attachments in an online application by Monday, May 19, 2025, 4:30 p.m. CT

Applications will be considered incomplete if any of the above items are not received by May 19. Incomplete applications will not be considered for interviews.

Applications will be submitted through the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care’s online portal

An application guide is available. If you have any further questions or need support, please contact MN_health.IMG@state.mn.us

Additional points:

• This program is very competitive. You may apply more than once.
• Please note that if you are accepted into the 2025–2026 BRIIDGE program, and also apply for and then match for residency mid–March 2026, you will not be enrolled in the BRIIDGE program and your spot will be given to someone on the wait list.

For more information please contact:
MN_health.IMG@state.mn.us