When I left Syria in 2014, I dreamed of becoming a US-trained doctor. I quickly realized that the American dream is a reality and that hard work really does pay off. I completed my master’s degree in international health policy and management, along with my clinical training in both internal and vascular medicine, at highly reputable institutions. The American healthcare system offered me these opportunities and valued my efforts above my background or religion. As I look back on this journey and the monumental changes in Syria, I am deeply grateful for my mentors and everyone I have had the privilege of working with.
I’m also not sure this could happen today.
Immigrant physicians play a powerful role in sustaining and strengthening our health care system. If the new White House reinstates the travel ban on issuing visas to citizens of certain countries, it could jeopardize this vital resource, endangering not only immigrant doctors, but also the patients who depend on us for their care .
In 2017, President Trump signed an executive order banning entry from seven predominantly Muslim countries. It had a material effect on the American medical system.
According to one 2020 studyNearly a quarter of the U.S. physician workforce is made up of international medical graduates (IMGs), a presence that is essential to filling gaps in care. Of these, 18.4% (approximately 48,354 doctors) come from Muslim-majority countries, while 38.1% work in primary care. These professionals provide essential care, often in underserved areas and rural areas where the need for doctors is enormous. They also contribute significantly to the economy by performing functions that help prevent costly health crises. As a country that has long valued opportunity, America must ensure that policies do not inadvertently lock out those who strengthen us.
A clear example of the impact of this ban can be seen among Syrian medical graduates. In 2016, Damascus University held the No. 7 place is among the institutions with the most medical graduates in the US, with 2,745 physicians. In 2017, Syrian graduates achieved an impressive 76.6% residency rate. However, after the entry ban, that rate will increase decreased up to 64.4% in 2019.
Since the travel ban and subsequent visa restrictions, the flow of talented Syrian doctors to the US has slowed significantly, forcing many to seek opportunities in countries like Germany. These young and hard-working physicians have historically played a crucial role in advancing knowledge in crucial areas of medicine, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and communicable diseases, through postdoctoral research programs in the US. Their work has not only saved American lives but also advanced global health care, strengthening America’s role as a leader in medical innovation. For example, the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) represents thousands of US-based Syrian doctors who are also recognized globally for their expertise in managing health crises, including setting up field hospitals in conflict zones and delivering life-saving treatment to displaced populations. (I am a member of SAMS.)
With the recent fall of the Assad regime, Syrian doctors are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between global health challenges and local reconstruction efforts.
Like many other Syrian physicians here in the US, I am very much looking forward to putting what I have learned here in the US into practice and helping the people of Syria. This includes rebuilding the health care system, establishing clinical training programs and expanding preventive care. But if the old travel ban is reinstated, many of us Syrian doctors who have visas or green cards may be barred from entering the U.S. when we leave for a short visit. This wouldn’t serve anyone. The expertise of Syrian physicians trained and practicing in the U.S. can play a dual role: strengthening the U.S. health care system while helping to rebuild a free and prosperous Syria.
U.S. immigration policy should not only continue to welcome Syrian physicians but also facilitate opportunities for them to contribute to Syria’s recovery while maintaining their role in the U.S. health care system.
My story is just one of thousands. Collectively, immigrant physicians are supporting a system that is increasingly struggling to meet the needs of patients across the country. At Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), I conducted research under the direction of Jeremy Ruskin, chief of the electrophysiology department. Our team consisted of three interns: an Iranian, an Israeli and me, a Syrian. Three who would never work together anywhere else. This environment created mutual respect and brought us together, transforming our diverse perspectives into shared value and growth.
As Syrians carve out a new future free from dictatorship, the US has an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to inclusive immigration policies that strengthen ties between nations. By empowering immigrant doctors, America can continue to lead the way in health care innovation while supporting global stability and peace.
M. Ihsan Kaadan, MD, MS, is an assistant professor of vascular medicine in the department of cardiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.