How I Found My Research Position ❤ — My IMG Journey

MY RESEARCH JOURNEY ❤ In 2018–2020, I was looking for a way to learn, contribute and find my place in medicine. Here is how volunteering and reaching out opened doors along the way.

I will explain step by step

My own path began with volunteering in the Cedars-Sinai Emergency Department. It helped me meet people, learn the hospital’s rhythm and discover where I could contribute. If you are considering volunteering, ask the hospital about its eligibility and time commitment.

What was my ER volunteering about? [ERAS CV]

•I would greet patients, take them to their room, interact with patients and families in the waiting area and at the bedside. I made sure that their rooms were ready and checked if they needed anything.

•I talked to them about how they are feeling and help them relax and feel comfortable (since the ED is always a stressful environment), bring them blankets or food make sure if they needed anything.

I knew this was my way to work my way up into the hospital, make connections, and get access to their library. 

I then got 24 hours/access to the medical library, I used to study there all the time. Literally day and night. In the library, I would also meet staff, talk to residents, attendings, try to meet people and also UCLA/ USC students rotating at Cedars studying for their steps.

If volunteering interests you, check the hospital's official volunteer office and ask about current eligibility, duties, screening, and commitment. A volunteer role does not automatically authorize clinical work or create a research appointment.

After going to the library every day, and staying there almost all day and night long studying, I met a doctor who offered me a summer internship position in heart transplant, and I worked with them and published during the summer of 2018.

What was my Cardiology research internship about? [ERAS CV]

• I shadowed cardiologists and heart surgeons, interacted with patients at bedside and I went to heart transplant surgeries.

• I participated in weekly heart surgery rounds and meetings, discussing and presenting cases.

• I researched on how Complement-binding Antibodies Affect Heart Transplant Outcomes, published my abstract and presented it at the annual Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, CA.

While working there, I continued going to the library and met the reconstructive surgeon who became my Principal Investigator at that time. I introduced myself and shared my ideas, motivation, and interests. After discussion with departmental leadership and Human Resources, a position was created for me. That was my individual experience—not a promise that every institution can create a role.

This is one of many paths to research experience. My article on seven ways IMGs can find research opportunities can help you explore other routes.

I finished my research on heart transplant on September 2018, took my step 1 exam October 23, 2018, and one day after my Step 1 exam I started working in the Reconstructive & Transgender Surgery department. I continued working there while taking my Step 2 CS on May 2019, and my Step 2 CK August 30, 2019.

I applied for Match 2020 on September 21, 2019, and attended 11 interviews between October 2019 and January 2020. My first interview included a pre-match offer; I declined it because I wanted to participate in the Match.

I tell my journey on details on My Story post, and explaining what's a pre-match position in my post Answering all USMLE questions. 

Meanwhile, I continued working and publishing. My clinical and surgical research responsibilities, including clinic and operating-room access, were arranged through the institution. Any patient-facing activity must remain within the role, permissions, supervision, and approvals the institution grants.

After tons of hard work, uncountable hours of studying, and staying focused on my main goal, here I am, MATCHED into my dream speciality OB/GYN 🤩

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐁/𝐆𝐘𝐍?

As IMGs a lot of the times we can't choose where we are going to do research or a rotation, and in what field.. as I mentioned:

Heart-transplant surgery was my way to start, get my first research experience, publication, and from that continue to my other job.

At that stage of my journey, reconstructive surgery connected with my interest in OB/GYN, breast and pelvic reconstruction, and urogynecology.

What was my Reconstructive surgical research internship about?

•I coordinated several research projects and mentored medical students from UCLA & USC for research studies on breast surgery, gender affirming surgery, new surgical techniques and literature reviews.

•I also presented and oriented several anatomy studies to medical students on using thermal cameras, ultrasounds, and 3D imaging software. Our subjects were volunteers and cadavers. •I wrote, published, and presented our studies and IRB protocols to my colleagues and other medical professionals. I coordinated and assisted surgeons of multiple specialties in the use of a new 3D microscope. I assisted at surgical conferences and meetings.

•I familiarized myself with the US healthcare system, and the insurance system.

What research projects have I worked on?

• The Impact of Complement-Binding Antibodies on AdverseEvents Long-Term after Heart Transplantation

• Effects of Hormone Therapy on Breast Tissue in TransgenderPatients

• Gender Affirming Surgery

• Functional Outcomes of Lower Extremity Open Fractures Treated with Free Tissue Transfer

• Trends in Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomies

• Using a Custom-Built Thermal Camera to study blood vessel anatomyand Perforator Flap Planning

• Comparing a 3D video microscopy to conventional binocular microscopy

• Evaluating the efficacy of a modified approach to phallourethroplasty in transgender men

•You can check out all my posters & publications here:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Victor_Arruarana

Also if you have ResearchGate account follow me, and I will follow you back :)

Very Important

The sections marked [ERAS CV] show how I described my own work in my application. When writing yours, explain YOUR role, contribution and what you learned ❤

If think it's not perfectly described I understand, it was my first time doing something like that, and unfortunately I didn't know any who matched before and would show me their CV. 😔

Hopefully my experience will help you in writing an outstanding ERAS CV! 

If you are reading this it's because you have a passion in life, an inner drive that wants you to success and make your goals and dreams come true.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬?

•Set your goals & put your heart & soul to accomplish them

•Separate them into short, medium & long term goals

•Make a note list on what to do tomorrow, this week, this month, this year.

•Keep updating your weekly notes

•Break big tasks into small steps you can complete consistently.

•Mitigate your distractions

•Spread positivity

•Take risks, that's how we break the habit and grow

•Choose opportunities that fit your goals, responsibilities, and wellbeing.

•Do not be afraid to approach people respectfully—and be approachable too.

•Seek constructive feedback and surround yourself with people who encourage your growth.

It is healthy to have alternatives. A Plan B can protect your wellbeing while you keep working toward the goal you care about.

Commit to the effort you can control. Setbacks can change the route without ending your dream.

Making deeper connections

Connect with people, listen to them and tell them about your passions in life, you never know what you can learn from them, or what they can offer you that you didn't know.

A barbershop story:

During that period, I went to a new barbershop. The hairdresser asked about my life, and I shared that I was taking the exams to practice medicine in the U.S. and doing research.

She congratulated me and told me to keep working hard. I go back to the same salon like 4 month later, the same lady cuts my hair, she tells me that she remembers me from last time, and that her husband is actually an OB/GYN physician, who has many clinics, and that she told him my story.

She gave me his card, told me to contact him, I called him and got some good advices from this doctor!

Connections like this have happened many times in my life. They remind me to stay curious, kind, and open to conversation.

Don't be afraid to tell your story!

Connect with people and also connect people between each other! If you hear that a friend is working on something, and then you know this other person that is working on something similar and they may benefit from each other, connect them!

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and be better; you are doing things right!

Love you guys! Keep working hard!

Sebastian Arruarana, MD

Fb: Doctor Sebas Instagram: @doctor.sebas

YOUR NEXT STEP ❤ Choose a topic you genuinely care about, identify an appropriate mentor, and send a short message explaining your interests, skills, and realistic availability. Ask about supervision, approvals, duties, and how contributions are recognized before committing.