Post-Graduate Program Offerings

USTMAAA provides assistance to medical alumni who desire to experience American medicine to meet requirements of some residency programs.

University of Tennessee Affiliated Observership Program

A program to help UST-FMS alumni secure residency training in the US by providing meaningful and relevant clinical experience in a university-affiliated program (University of Tennessee Health Science Center).

Open only to UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

Check it out

  • Contact Ed Cabigao, MD at (901) 857-4866 for more information. Send requirements and application to ecabiga1@uthsc.edu

Hawaii Titans Preceptorship Program in association with USTMAAA

The Hawaii Preceptorship Program is an intensive preceptorship program in which IMGs rotate in several primary clinics, working with board-certified physicians in internal medicine and family medicine.

Check it out

    • You can apply via their site.

    • Applicants must be able to complete and stay with the program for an entire three months.

    • Applicants should also finish Step 1 USMLE before applying to the program.

    • As the slots for the preceptorship program get filled up fast, applicants should plan and apply early, keeping in mind their ideal match timeline (when to apply for the match)

    • Preceptees get to rotate in several primary care clinics (Waipahu, Gulick, Liliha, Kalihi) around Hawaii with different preceptors/providers.

    • During the rotations, preceptees get to experience the US Healthcare System.

    • How to navigate and use EMR (EPIC)

    • Review patient charts before seeing a patient

    • Learn how to endorse patients to providers

    • Interpret laboratory results and provide further management if necessary

    • How to manage patients using the latest clinical guidelines and evidence-based medicine

    • Daily noon didactics, round table discussions as well as weekly lectures with the providers ensuring continuous learning

    • Learn how to properly manage conditions frequently seen in primary care, including but not limited to hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, gout, thyroid disease, COPD, heart failure, chronic kidney disease description

    • As of this writing, the preceptorship program allows preceptees to rotate with nine board-certified physicians in internal medicine and family medicine.

    • The program also offers a 2-week intensive elective rotation in Endocrinology where preceptees get to rotate with a board-certified endocrinologist (ideal for applicants who want to apply to internal medicine)

    • They also offer elective rotations to other specialties (ideal for applicants who want to apply to other specialties such as pediatrics or family medicine)

    • Other specialties offered: OBGYN, Pediatrics

    • Preceptees are grouped into cohorts (preceptees who rotate within a specific three-month time period)

    • The number of preceptees usually depends on how many applicants are applying for a specific period (e.g., applying to rotate between May - July)

    • Based on experience, there are usually more preceptees as the match deadline (September) approaches.

    • One cohort had 4 preceptees who rotated at the same time (March to May)

    • As the match deadline was approaching, there is an increasing number of preceptees (reaching up to 10+ preceptees per cohort)

    • The months after September are usually less busy compared to other months.

    • US Clinical Experience where you just get to understand and learn the US Healthcare System

    • Previous participants have stated that their expectations were met above and beyond!

    • Participants not only get to learn about the US healthcare system, but also learn many valuable life lessons and skills as a doctor and as a person. The program is holistic, providing training not just in medicine but also as a person.

    • Participants learn a lot about medicine, especially using healthcare's most up-to-date management.

    • The program also helps in the match, providing guidance on how to write your personal statement, answer common interview questions, and build your confidence as a person.

    • The Ohana and Aloha spirit is very evident in the preceptorship program

    • The whole program is very friendly, warm, and welcoming for people participating in the entire match journey

    • You get to bond and be close to your co-preceptees and preceptors and form a family with them

    • Roughly around 1750 USD per month including food, travel, groceries, rent, etc. (can vary wildly from person to person)

    • Food and groceries in Hawaii are expensive with meals being around 10 USD++

    • Depending on availability, the program offers cheap and affordable housing for Hawaii (around 750++ USD)

    • Immigration in Hawaii = strict! The program recommends entering through the mainland and then flying to Hawaii (keep this in mind when it comes to expenses)