BY JASON COHEN
Since opening in 1999, Essen
Health Care has hired
and trained more than 150
international medical graduates
on an annual basis. Yet
during COVID-19, the company
exceeded expectations
and had more students than
in a typical year accepted
into medical residency programs.
Essen Health Care, which
has one of the longest running
training and job programs
for international medical
students based in the
Bronx, enables thousands of
men and women from all over
the world to launch their careers
as medical professionals.
Unlike other hospitals or
healthcare systems that only
offer unpaid positions as volunteers
or shadowing, Essen
provides paid clinical assistant
jobs. The clinical assistant
program allows international
medical graduates the
opportunity to acquire administrative
and operational
skills, hands-on clinical experience,
as well as learning
best practices and networking
from more than 400 providers
within Essen Health
Care’s network.
Over the years, Dr. Sumir
Sahgal, Essen’s founder and
chief medical offi cer, has personally
mentored some of the
clinical assistants.
“The Clinical Assistant
Program is so essential for
everyone involved,” Sahgal
said. “These international
medical graduates are gaining
the experience they need
to start their careers in the
medical fi eld, and they are
playing an integral part in
the Essen Health Care team
as they also assist in providing
much-needed care to our
community. We couldn’t be
prouder of their hard work.”
Sahgal started Essen out
of a single offi ce in the South
Bronx more than 20 years
ago. Today, the practice has
30 locations throughout the
Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
And the international program
After School Recreational Program
$60
EnrorOpen Open Enrollmentnllment
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2780 Schurz Ave. Bronx NY 10465
$155 Starting at:
PER MONTH/ONCE A
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Homework assistance
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Snacks included!
To register or learn more information about our programs please call:
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BRONX TIMES R 34 EPORTER, SEPT. 3-9, 2021 BTR
has continued to fl ourish
over that time, even during
the pandemic.
He said that typically
about 18-25 students fi nish
the program a year, so seeing
more than 35 students
during such troubling times
really impressed him. “I feel
very proud of their achievements
and very fortunate to
be part of their life’s journey,”
he said.
According to Sahgal,
many of his international students
were doctors in their
native countries, but in the
U.S. they must fulfi ll a residency
requirement again and
are often overqualifi ed. Sahgal,
who grew up in India and
completed medical school
there, can relate to what the
students endure.
“Everybody who comes to
this country is grateful,” he
said. “At the same time, it’s
one of the most diffi cult countries
to learn in. You don’t
know the system and you
are culturally different from
what typical society is here.”
Dr. Sumir Sahgal speaking at Essen Health Care’s International Medical
Graduate Symposium in 2017. Photo courtesy Essen Health Care
In addition to ongoing
training, Essen Health Care
has partnered with numerous
academic institutions for
ongoing career development
for clinical assistants looking
to pursue other degrees
and certifi cations. As a result
of this program, about 20%
of Essen Health Care clinical
assistants secure residency
placements so they can continue
their education and
training to become a practicing
physician.
Eligible candidates must
have a valid U.S. work authorization
and a medical
school degree from an accredited
university.
Healthcare provider helps
grads jumpstart careers
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MONDAY FRIR DAYMONDAY - FRIDAY PM 6PM3PM - 6PM
ATA PCPCCAT PCC (8977(718) 892-8977
at 2780 Schurz Ave. Bronx NY 10465
only
PER WEEK
(718) 892-8977 PrestonCenterOfCompassion.org
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Where?
St. Frances de Chantal
Meeting Room
190 Hollywood Ave.
Corner of Tremont &
Harding
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718-892-8997
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September 13, 14, 15
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Late Registration:
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When?
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esquina de Tremont y
Harding
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septiembre
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Las clases empezarán 20 de septiembre!
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