Refugee physicians meet every week with Dr. Scott Smith, their mentor, to study for the US Medical Licensing Examinations. At the end of every session they take a 30 question mock exam and typically score in the 90th percentile, much better than their American counterparts at the 70th percentile.
Dr. Marwan Sweedan discusses infection control strategies with nurses Taylor Oneida and Tina Burke at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.
Dr. Makki gently informs a family that their father will be passing soon.
Dr. Makki receives a report from a nurse regarding a sick patient on another floor.
Dr. Makki leaves the hospital early in the morning following a 24 hour shift.
Drs. Ziad Alsaifi and Sally Nassar describe harrowing experiences in post-invasion Iraq. As Mandaeans, they faced persecution from Muslims, which included a narrow escape from assassination.
Dr. Alsaifi describes his invention to allow safer and better ear examinations.
Dr. Salwan Swidan and Dhuha Ali prepare their son, Bekir, for his History Day presentation.
Bekir won Second Place in the regional History Day competition. His project was the history of the space exploration and the story of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Dr. Salwan Swidan coaches daughter, Deema’s, soccer team.
Deema hugs her father, fatigued after studying continuously for 3 hours without a break. Salwan works all day and studies long hours at night and on weekends. He wants his children to grow up safe, happy and free.
Dr. Mohamed studied independently to escape the violence of Mogadishu and studied medicine in Jordan. Unable to return home, he survived as a refugee before finally coming to the US. He successfully passed the exams and started a residency program in July, 2019.