Dr. Nina Lum
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Podcast The IMG Roadmap®️ Podcast Episodes by Specialty
TestimonialsMeet Dr. NinaBlogCoursesWebinarServices Podcast Podcast The IMG Roadmap®️ Podcast Episodes by Specialty
Dr. Nina Lum
IMG Coach
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The Struggle To Travel Abroad When You're Cameroonian.
Uncategorizedthe encouraging docOctober 8, 2017 Comments
What’s So Good About Being Single
What’s So Good About Being Single

Single people always complain about their relationship status or the lack there of. I'm one to always look for a silver lining; so here are some tips to get your single life popping.

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LifestyleNina LumSeptember 16, 2017Encouragement, faith, single Comments
The Cheapest Way You Can Also Help During An Impending Natural Disaster.
Motivationthe encouraging docSeptember 7, 2017emergency, Encouragement, faith, Harvey, hurricane, Irma, natural disasters, prayerComment
Still Got Student Debt? Here Is How To Get Rid Of Yours Like I Did.
Still Got Student Debt? Here Is How To Get Rid Of Yours Like I Did.
Lifestylethe encouraging docSeptember 4, 2017debt, debtfree, doctor, dollars, Encouragement, finance, life, lifestyle, medical school, money, student loans Comments
A Few Of My Thoughts On Marriage.
A Few Of My Thoughts On Marriage.

People always ask me when I will be getting married but never seek to understand my thoughts on the matter. So I took it upon myself to share what I really think about getting hitched.

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Lifestylethe encouraging docSeptember 1, 2017Encouragement, goals, God, life, lifecoach, love, marriage, purpose, Singleness, wisdom Comments
How I Studied For The USMLE.
Medicinethe encouraging docAugust 27, 2017Caribbean, coaching, foreign medical graduates, hospitalmedicine, inspiration, medical school, medicine, Usmle, wisdom Comments
Strategies To Succeed In Your Caribbean Medical Education.
Strategies To Succeed In Your Caribbean Medical Education.
Medicinethe encouraging docAugust 10, 2017Caribbean, doctor, education, FMG, foreign medical graduates, inspiration, international medocal graduates, medical school Comments
The Folly in my "Wisdom". 
The Folly in my "Wisdom". 

why we should all pray R-rated prayers

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Motivationthe encouraging docJune 16, 2017 Comments
Child Support #2 
Child Support #2 

It is more blessed to give than it is to be given; so you gave and you became a blessing to the least of these.

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Lifestylethe encouraging docJune 5, 2017Encouragement, giving, gratitude, prociaion Comments
Why I Cut Up My Credit Cards.
Why I Cut Up My Credit Cards.

Be financially responsible with plastic (credit cards). If you can't be (like I once was), then do not own one.

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Lifestylethe encouraging docJune 1, 2017balance, Encouragement, finance, frugality Comment
Top Three Things FMGs/IMGs must do to match into US Residency. 
Medicinethe encouraging docMay 6, 2017foreign medical graduates, international medocal graduates, residency, training, USA Comments
How To Stay Healthy While You Travel.
Medicinethe encouraging docMay 5, 2017Comment
Child Support
Lifestylethe encouraging docApril 6, 2017Comment
#mindfulmed: How MINDFULNESS is keeping me stable.
Medicinethe encouraging docMarch 11, 2017advice, attending, hospitalmedicine, inspiration, medicine, mindfulmedComment
My Health Career Feature on BlackmanMD.com

was recently featured on a health career blog written by Chrystel Wekon; a passionate student doctor at Wake Forest. Here are a few snippets that shed some light into my career path. Disclaimer: this was written and published on www.blackmanmd.com

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Medicinethe encouraging docMarch 7, 2017 Comments
Kentucky Lovin'
Lifestylethe encouraging docFebruary 24, 2017Comment
An Open Letter To The Confused Anglophone Cameroonian Youth
Lifestylethe encouraging docFebruary 11, 2017Cameroon, coaching, decision making, faith, fear, Feb 11th 11th of Feb, hope, humanrights, inspiration, Internet, Jeunesse, purpose, Southern Cameroon, trust, wisdom Comments
5 Survival Tips For Single People on Valentine's Day.

In a season of all the "feels", here is another memo on how to soar through.

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Lifestylethe encouraging docFebruary 7, 2017Agape, black history month, Encouragement, faith, February 14th, inspiration, love, marriage, purpose, relationships, Service, Singleness, St Valentine, wisdomComment
How To Thrive Through Confusing Times
How To Thrive Through Confusing Times
Motivationthe encouraging docJanuary 29, 2017ban, bringbackourinternet, Cameroon, faith, hope, humanrights, immigration, Internet, Paul Biya, purpose, Southern Cameroon, Trump Comments
5 Practical Ways To Achieve Your Goals for 2017.
5 Practical Ways To Achieve Your Goals for 2017.
Lifestylethe encouraging docJanuary 8, 2017 Comments
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© 2019 THE ENCOURAGING DOC | Website by Adeyemi

View fullsize "I have a 2-year gap. My application is ruined."

I hear this from IMGs all the time.

The truth? A gap on your CV is not what hurts your application. What hurts is leaving program directors wondering what happened during that time.

Whethe
View fullsize Failing Step 1 does not automatically end your residency dreams.

One of the biggest mistakes I see IMGs make is removing themselves from consideration before a program ever reviews their application.

Yes, some programs have attempt limits. But many
View fullsize Failed USMLE? Wondering if you should mention it in your residency application?

You’re not alone and your journey isn’t over.

Here’s the truth:

➡️ You’re not required to talk about your USMLE failure if you’d rather n
View fullsize
View fullsize From training across three countries to matching into Emergency Medicine, her journey is filled with valuable lessons on resilience, mindset, building a holistic application, and pursuing your goals despite the odds.

One of her biggest takeaways:

✨
View fullsize The new Step 1 format isn't about testing more knowledge.

It's about changing how that knowledge is delivered on exam day.

With shorter blocks, fewer questions per block, and more opportunities to take a mental reset, many IMGs may find the new str
View fullsize The USMLE Step 1 exam format changed last May 14, 2026.

And here’s what you need to know:

• The exam is still 8 hours long
• The content is not changing
• You are not being tested on more material
• The scoring remains pas
View fullsize IMG Match Results 2026

🔹 EMERGENCY MEDICINE🔹

Source: NRMP.ORG
Matches by Specialty and Applicant Type, 2026

🎧 Podcast Feature

Dreaming of Emergency Medicine but worried about matching as an IMG?

Meet Dr. Ololade Akinfemiwa, an EM resident who
View fullsize IMGs, want to know the fastest way to lose a program director’s interest?

A personal statement that reads like a highlight reel of how amazing you think you are, instead of a clear, compelling reflection of your journey.

Here are 3 things to
View fullsize Failed an attempt? Took a gap year? You can STILL be a strong applicant if you take the right steps.

✅ Gain hands-on clinical experience so programs can see your skills in action.

✅ Network with purpose

Every connection, every rotation, every skil
View fullsize 📢 Applying through ResidencyCAS for the 2026–2027 Match cycle?

Save these important dates now so you don't miss a critical deadline.

🗓️ Key ResidencyCAS Dates:
🔹 June 4, 2026 — Application cycle opens
🔹 August 24, 2026 — Begin
View fullsize The 2027 ERAS® Residency Application Season Is Almost Here!

If you're applying for residency this cycle, now is the time to get organized and stay ahead of key deadlines.

Important dates to remember:

🔹 June 4, 2026 – ERAS season opens
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