Essential CV Building Tips for Caribbean IMGs in Global Health Residency

Understanding the CV Landscape for Caribbean IMGs in Global Health

Applying for residency from a Caribbean medical school—especially with an interest in global health—requires a deliberately crafted CV that highlights both your clinical capabilities and your international perspective. Program directors know that training paths are diverse, but they also receive hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applications. Your CV must quickly answer:

• Can this applicant handle U.S. (or Canadian/UK) clinical training?
• Does this applicant have evidence of commitment to global health or international medicine?
• Will this applicant add value to our residency’s global health residency track or international health initiatives?

For a Caribbean IMG, the residency CV is more than a list of activities; it’s a strategic document that bridges any perceived gap between Caribbean medical education and U.S. training expectations. Whether your path included SGU residency match preparation or another Caribbean medical school, your goal is the same: demonstrate readiness, reliability, and a coherent global health trajectory.

Key goals of your CV:

1. Present a clean, standardized format that faculty can skim quickly.
2. Highlight U.S. clinical experience (USCE) and strong clinical performance.
3. Show a consistent interest and track record in global health and international medicine.
4. Translate “islands + international exposure” from a liability into a clear asset.

The sections below walk through how to build a CV for residency step-by-step, with specific residency CV tips tailored to Caribbean IMGs focused on global health.

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Structuring a Strong Residency CV: Essential Sections and Order

Residency programs often prefer a structure similar to the ERAS-generated CV. Even though ERAS will auto-generate a CV, you still need a polished version for emails, mentors, global health programs, and fellowship applications. Use this order (or something very close):

1. Contact Information & Personal Data (no photo)
2. Education
3. Licensing Exams (USMLE/COMLEX) & Certifications
4. Clinical Experience (Rotations, Externships, Observerships)
5. Research & Scholarly Work
6. Global Health & International Medicine Experiences
7. Leadership, Teaching, and Volunteerism
8. Honors & Awards
9. Professional Memberships
10. Skills (Languages, Technical, EHR, Other)
11. Interests (Optional, but recommended)

1. Contact Information & Personal Data

Include:

• Full name (as in your ERAS application)
• Current email (professional, e.g., firstname.lastname@…)
• Phone number with country code
• City, State/Province, Country (no full mailing address needed)
• Citizenship and visa status (if relevant to where you’re applying)

Caribbean IMG tip:
If you’re applying broadly to U.S. programs, add a brief visa note, such as:
“Citizenship: Indian; Visa: Eligible for J-1 sponsorship” or “U.S. Permanent Resident.”

2. Education

List in reverse chronological order:

• Medical School (e.g., St. George’s University School of Medicine)
  • Location (Grenada + clinical site countries)
  • Degree and expected/completed graduation date
  • Class ranking or GPA if objectively strong and verifiable
• Undergraduate degree(s)
• Graduate degrees (MPH, MSc, etc.), if any

Example entry:

MD (Doctor of Medicine), St. George’s University School of Medicine
Grenada; Clinical rotations in the United States and United Kingdom
Expected Graduation: June 2026
Honors: Dean’s List (2023–2025)

If you’re aiming for a global health residency track, underline relevant degrees or coursework:

• “Global Health Track, 2-year longitudinal curriculum”
• “Certificate in Global Health, [Institution]”
• “Capstone: Health Systems Strengthening in the Eastern Caribbean”

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Highlighting Clinical and Global Health Experience Effectively

For Caribbean IMGs, clinical and global health entries are where you can stand out while addressing program directors’ core concerns about readiness.

3. Licensing Exams & Certifications

Create a separate section for exams, right after education. This allows readers to quickly gauge your academic readiness.

Include:

• USMLE Step 1: Score, date (or “Pass” if pass/fail only)
• USMLE Step 2 CK: Score, date (critical for Caribbean IMGs)
• USMLE Step 3 (if completed)
• ECFMG Certification: “ECFMG Certified, Month Year” once achieved
• ACLS, BLS, PALS certifications (with expiration dates)

Example:

Licensing Exams & Certifications
USMLE Step 1: Pass, April 2024 (Pass/Fail)
USMLE Step 2 CK: 245, August 2025
ECFMG Certification: Anticipated December 2025
ACLS & BLS, American Heart Association, Expires June 2026

Residency CV tip:
Do not overcrowd this section with prep courses. Programs care about results, not which Qbank you used.

4. Clinical Experience: Making Caribbean Training Competitive

This is one of the most scrutinized parts of a Caribbean medical school residency application. Divide into:

• Core Clinical Rotations
• Sub-internships / Acting Internships
• Electives (especially U.S.-based and global health-relevant)

For each rotation, include:

• Specialty
• Institution and city/country
• Dates
• Hours/week or total weeks (optional, but helpful if robust)
• Brief bullet points if you held a distinct role (e.g., sub-intern, team leader)

Example:

Internal Medicine Core Clerkship, 12 weeks
Brooklyn University Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA

• Participated in daily inpatient rounds, cared for 8–10 patients under supervision
• Performed focused histories and physicals, developed differential diagnoses, and presented to attending physicians
• Contributed to quality improvement chart review on hospital-acquired infections

For global health relevance, emphasize:

• Rotations in resource-limited settings
• Cases involving tropical or infectious diseases
• Community-based primary care, refugee health, or migrant clinics

Example (Global Health–leaning):

Family Medicine Elective – Community Health & International Medicine, 4 weeks
Community Health Center, Miami, FL, USA

• Managed underserved, predominantly immigrant patient population with complex social determinants of health
• Assisted in bilingual health education sessions on hypertension and diabetes
• Collaborated with social workers to address insurance gaps and food insecurity

Caribbean IMG tip:
If your school uses a mix of U.S., UK, and island rotations, group by country to showcase breadth:

• U.S.-Based Rotations (NY, NJ, etc.)
• UK Rotations
• Caribbean Rotations

This subtly underscores your adaptability and international experience—valuable for international medicine and global health residency track programs.

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Showcasing Global Health and International Medicine Experience

Programs with a global health focus want to see more than interest; they want evidence of sustained engagement. As a Caribbean IMG, you often already have built-in global and cross-cultural exposure—your job is to translate it into formal CV entries.

5. Global Health & International Medicine Section

Create a dedicated section titled clearly, such as:

• “Global Health & International Medicine Experience”
• “Global Health Activities”
• “International Health & Public Health Projects”

This is where your Caribbean training becomes an advantage.

Include:

• Fieldwork or short-term medical missions
• Longitudinal service with international NGOs
• Global health research or capstone projects
• Work with migrant, refugee, or underserved international populations in the U.S.
• Health systems or policy work with a cross-border focus

Each entry should be role-focused with measurable outcomes.

Example:

Global Health Elective – Primary Care in Resource-Limited Setting, 4 weeks
Community Clinic, St. David Parish, Grenada

• Provided supervised outpatient care for adult and pediatric patients with limited access to specialized services
• Led patient education group on safe water practices and diarrheal disease prevention
• Contributed to clinic data audit that informed allocation of hypertension medications

Another example:

Telemedicine Volunteering – International Medicine Outreach, 6 months
Remote (serving patients in Guyana and rural Caribbean regions)

• Supported physicians by collecting patient histories and follow-up information via telehealth platform
• Developed patient education handouts on adherence to antiretrovirals and chronic disease management
• Coordinated referrals to local clinics and NGOs

Residency CV tip:
Use action verbs: “coordinated,” “implemented,” “developed,” “analyzed,” “led,” “collaborated.” Avoid vague wording like “exposed to” or “observed global health issues.”

6. Research & Scholarly Work in Global Health

Even modest research can significantly strengthen a Caribbean medical school residency application when positioned well.

Include:

• Original research projects
• Quality improvement (QI) projects
• Case reports and case series
• Posters and oral presentations
• Publications (peer-reviewed or conference abstracts)

Format each entry consistently:

1. Authors (Your Last Name, Initials first if you’re first or second author)
2. Title
3. Venue (Journal, conference)
4. Date and status (Published, Accepted, Submitted)

Global health example:

Singh A, Rodriguez M, YourLastName J.
Hypertension control among patients in a rural Caribbean clinic: a cross-sectional analysis.
Poster presented at the SGU Global Health Symposium, St. George’s, Grenada, March 2025.

Or:

Quality Improvement Project – Vaccination Coverage in Underserved Children
Pediatric Clinic, Trinidad & Tobago, Jan–June 2024

• Audited vaccination records of 250 children in low-income communities
• Identified 35% incomplete immunization; developed reminder system using SMS messages
• Improved documented full immunization from 65% to 80% over 4 months

Caribbean IMG tip:
If your research is not strictly global health, emphasize relevance in your bullet points: equity, health disparities, access issues, or cross-cultural care. This helps align your CV with a global health residency track even when your topic is “domestic.”

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Leadership, Service, and Skills that Signal Global Health Potential

Your CV should paint a picture of someone who will thrive in resource-limited, multicultural environments and contribute beyond clinical work.

7. Leadership, Teaching, and Volunteerism

Residency programs value leadership and teaching experience, especially in candidates interested in global health, where advocacy and systems-level thinking are key.

Include:

• Student organization roles (e.g., Global Health Interest Group, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations)
• Peer tutoring, anatomy or clinical skills teaching assistant roles
• Community outreach: health fairs, vaccination drives, mobile clinics
• Leadership in SGU, AUC, Ross, or other Caribbean school clubs

Example leadership entry:

President, Global Health & International Medicine Student Association
St. George’s University School of Medicine, 2023–2024

• Organized 6 community health outreach events in Grenada, focusing on diabetes awareness and hypertension screening
• Coordinated a virtual speaker series with global health practitioners in Haiti, Kenya, and India
• Managed a 12-member executive team and an annual budget of $5,000

Teaching example:

Peer Tutor – Clinical Skills and OSCE Preparation
SGU Learning Strategies Program, 2022–2023

• Coached 20+ junior medical students on history-taking and physical exam techniques
• Developed standardized patient cases with culturally diverse backgrounds
• Received “Outstanding Tutor” recognition based on student feedback

Volunteerism that supports your international medicine narrative:

Volunteer – Migrant Health Clinic
Brooklyn, NY, 2024

• Assisted in triage and patient flow for undocumented and uninsured patients, many from Caribbean and Latin American countries
• Provided language support in English and basic Spanish during intake
• Helped distribute educational materials on accessing local health and social services

8. Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

This section reassures programs about your academic and personal excellence.

Include:

• Dean’s List or Medical School Honors
• Scholarships (especially merit- or service-based)
• Awards for research, leadership, or humanitarian service

Example:

Honors & Awards

• Dean’s List, SGU School of Medicine (4 semesters)
• Global Health Service Award, SGU (2024) – for outstanding contributions to community health in Grenada
• Outstanding Volunteer Award, Migrant Health Clinic, Brooklyn (2024)

If you participated in a specific SGU residency match preparation or mentoring program and received recognition, list it here (e.g., “SGU Residency Preparation Distinction”).

9. Professional Memberships

This helps show professional engagement and identity:

• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American College of Physicians (ACP)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• Global health organizations (e.g., Doctors Without Borders Student Chapter, Global Health Council, CFMS/IFMSA)

Example:

Professional Memberships

• American College of Physicians – International Medical Student Member
• Global Health Council – Student Member
• IFMSA – Standing Committee on Public Health, 2023–present

10. Skills: Languages, Technical, and EHR

Programs value specific skills in global health–oriented residents:

• Languages: List with proficiency level (native, fluent, conversational, basic).
• EHR Systems: Epic, Cerner, Meditech, etc.
• Technical Skills: Data analysis (R, SPSS), GIS mapping, telehealth platforms.
• Other: Grant writing, curriculum development, community organizing.

Example:

Skills

• Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational), French Creole (basic)
• EHR: Epic, Cerner
• Data analysis: SPSS (intermediate)
• Telehealth platforms: Doxy.me, Zoom for Healthcare

For global health residency track applications, language skills and comfort with telehealth or data collection tools can be particularly persuasive.

11. Interests: Humanizing Your Global Health Story

A short “Interests” section can support your narrative:

• Travel with a purpose (e.g., community service, language immersion)
• Cultural/culinary interests linked to specific regions
• Writing, blogging, or podcasting about global health themes
• Disaster response training, wilderness medicine

Example:

Interests

• Exploring Caribbean and Latin American cuisines and food cultures
• Writing reflective essays on health equity and medical training
• Hiking and outdoor activities in tropical environments

Keep it honest and specific. Program directors sometimes reference this section in interviews to build rapport and explore your authentic global health motivation.

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Formatting, Strategy, and Common Pitfalls for Caribbean IMGs

Formatting Best Practices

• Length: 1–3 pages for a residency CV is typical; 2 pages is common for a Caribbean IMG with significant activities.
• Font: 10–12 pt, professional (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri).
• Consistency: Align dates, locations, and headings. Use the same date format throughout.
• File Name: “Lastname_Firstname_Residency_CV_2025.pdf”

Strategic Alignment with Global Health

When thinking about how to build CV for residency, remember: your CV should tell one coherent story. For a Caribbean IMG targeting global health:

1. Thread global health through multiple sections

   • Education: global health certificate or coursework
   • Clinical: underserved rotations, international clinics
   • Research: health disparities, community-based projects
   • Leadership/Volunteer: global health groups, migrant health, NGOs

2. Balance global health and core clinical competence
   Programs still prioritize strong clinicians. Make sure your CV does not look like “only global health” with minimal robust clinical experience. Emphasize responsible patient care roles and clear progression of responsibility.

3. Leverage your Caribbean experience explicitly
   Instead of leaving it implied, state in bullets or summaries how training across multiple countries prepared you for global health:

   • “Adapted clinical decision-making to variable resource settings”
   • “Worked with multicultural healthcare teams across the Caribbean and U.S.”
   • “Managed communication challenges with language barriers and health literacy limitations”

Common Pitfalls for Caribbean IMGs (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Overloading with minor or repetitive experiences

   • Avoid listing every single one-day health fair separately. Group similar experiences under one entry (e.g., “Community Health Fairs, 2022–2024”).

2. Vague descriptions

   • Replace “Exposed to global health issues in Grenada” with “Coordinated weekly hypertension screening outreach in rural Grenadian communities.”

3. Inconsistent or informal formatting

   • Use clear headings, consistent bullet style, and aligned dates. Sloppy formatting can unfairly reinforce stereotypes about lack of professionalism.

4. Not clarifying role or supervision level

   • Especially as a Caribbean IMG, specify your actual responsibilities and supervision; programs need to know you weren’t simply observing.

5. Leaving out context that helps you

   • If a rotation or project was competitive or selective, add that (“Selected 1 of 6 students for elective in rural health”).

Getting Feedback and Iterating

Before finalizing your residency CV:

• Ask at least two mentors to review (ideally one with U.S. academic experience).
• Show it to someone involved in SGU residency match advising or similar Caribbean advising offices.
• Cross-check with your ERAS entries for consistency (dates, titles, roles).
• Update regularly as you gain new experiences, especially near application deadlines.

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FAQs: CV Building for Caribbean IMG in Global Health

1. How is a residency CV different from a regular job CV?

A residency CV is academic and clinically focused. It emphasizes:

• Medical education and licensing exams
• Clinical rotations and responsibilities
• Research, quality improvement, and teaching
• Leadership and service, particularly in healthcare

Unlike a typical job CV, it does not focus on generic “skills” or non-medical jobs unless directly relevant (e.g., public health work, medical scribe in underserved clinics).

2. Should I create a separate CV focused only on global health?

You usually do not need a separate CV, but you can emphasize global health for specific contexts:

• For global health residency tracks, highlight global health experiences earlier (e.g., move “Global Health & International Medicine” section higher).
• For global health fellowships or MPH programs, expand research and international experiences with more bullet points.

Maintain one master CV, then tailor the order and emphasis for different applications.

3. How do I present international or mission trips without looking like “voluntourism”?

Focus on:

• Duration and continuity (longer or repeated engagements are stronger)
• Collaboration with local partners (rather than “going to help” in a paternalistic way)
• Concrete responsibilities and impact (data collection, patient education, system improvements)
• Cultural humility and learning outcomes

Avoid language that centers you as a “savior”; instead, highlight partnership, learning, and sustainable contributions.

4. I have limited research experience. Can I still be competitive for a global health–oriented residency?

Yes. While research helps, especially in academic global health programs, you can show your commitment through:

• Longitudinal service and leadership in global health or migrant health settings
• Community-based projects or QI efforts with clear outcomes
• Language skills and cross-cultural communication experience
• Strong clinical performance and USCE

If possible, seek small, manageable research or QI projects in your remaining time—case reports from interesting global health–related patients, chart reviews on disparities, or simple interventions (e.g., education programs) with measurable results.

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By structuring your CV deliberately, highlighting both your Caribbean training and your global health trajectory, and aligning every section with your long-term goals in international medicine, you can transform your background into a compelling asset for residency programs—especially those with a strong global health residency track and commitment to health equity.