The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is pleased to announce Samhitha Gundakaram, MBBS, has been appointed to the newly formed International Medical Graduate (IMG) Support & Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee.

Dr. Gundakaram is an Internal Medicine resident physician at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in West Virginia. As an international medical graduate (IMG), she is deeply committed to mentoring and guiding future IMGs through the challenges of medical training and the U.S. residency pathway.

Dr. Gundakaram shared that her motivation for serving on the committee comes from a desire to mentor and support international medical graduates. “As an IMG myself, I understand the challenges of navigating residency applications, research opportunities, and professional development without established mentorship,” she said. By sharing her experiences and building supportive networks, she hopes to empower future trainees to succeed and contribute meaningfully to patient care.