ComplaintsforEducational Commission For Foreign Med Grad

• Initial Complaint

  08/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  last week i uploaded my credentials through ECFMG to be verified , i attached the document that was uploaded , my username on the ECFMG platform is ahmadkassas , after 5 business days , i get back a refusal verification letter detailing that my translation is not certified by the translator that it is correct , despite the fact the on the third page upper left corner there is a full paragraph dedicated for this , i called ECFMG to explain this issue and pointed out that there is a paragraph in the document addressing the requirement they mentioned , the response i received was to use another service that meets their requirements but i am not obliged in any shape or form to use it , but if i use it ( ******* service , the email i received is also attached ) then it will pass but if not it "may" not , i find that quite unprofessional , considering the time wasted on the matter especially that it is of importance for me , not even mentioning the financial matter.Also i have colleagues who have pretty much the same documents as i do , and they applied using the same translator office and it worked and passed through a year ago.i find what ECFMG did quite unprofessional and disappointing .i am not asking for amending anything because i already paid for the service they recommended despite the fact that it was a needless referral considering the document already met their requirements but they still refused it. i just wanted to complain to someone . thanks.

  Business response

  09/18/2023

  I write in response to Complaint ********.

   

  I am pleased to inform you that this issue has been resolved as we have sent Dr. ***** ******’s credential for verification, and Dr. ****** has been notified of this update.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions or concerns pertaining to complaint ********. My direct contact information is listed below.

   

  Regards,

• Initial Complaint

  07/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hello. I am an IMG who applied for USMLE step 2 exam. All my medical credentials were previously verified by EPIC in 2021. When I applied for USMLE, I was told that my credentials cannot be transferred from EPIC to OASIS website and I have to go through verification process again. EPIC and OASIS are just the different departments of ECFMG. I was told that the attempt to transfer was not successful. It does not really help me and shows a weakness inside ECFMG organization. My USMLE is *********** and my EPIC account is C-** ******. The whole situation makes me really upset, how can we trust ECFMG organization if they cannot even send documents from one account to another? I am not satisfied with the statement that Credentials transfer was not successful. Is it an IT issue? Maybe ECFMG should fix internal problems. Thank you.

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  I write in response to Complaint . ********

   

  I am pleased to inform you that this issue has been resolved as **. ******************* credentials have been received and verified.

   

• Initial Complaint

  05/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  MINC no ****-****-**** Re source verification alternative process Document uploaded 17/04 /23 Enquiry to ECFMG 15 march 2023 I am an IMG applying to Canada to work as a doctor. Despite multiple attempts via MCC and my institution (2 military hospital form email ********************************* to reach out to ECFMG re an alternative option to verify a postgraduate letter from my current employer, there has been no response. The MCC has sent at least 3 follow up queries. I am unable to contact ECFMG myself as they don’t deal directly with individuals. I have tried to call but no help was received. Can you please assist or give me someone in managements details to liaise with. On numerous occasions we have asked for an alternative to using the South African postal system to send documents back to South Africa for source verification. This service has been liquidated recently and does not work. No one in this country will receive any mail sent this way. For courier , one has to be a registered business to set up an account. I feel that this lack of response is discriminatory to people who live in a 3 rd world country. There is no one that’s willing to assist with this process. I’m not even asking for a source verification but just the start of the process to verify a document. This process has started over a month ago and not resolved. This lack of response and using systems which don’t work needs to be updated. This has caused me to miss my registration date for my exams and as a result a more than 6 month wait for the next exam. Can someone please assist with a response. Dr * **** 

  Business response

  06/07/2023

  I write in response to Complaint ID *******.

   

  I am pleased to inform you that this issue has been resolved. We have received the necessary verifications for ******************************************* records, and we have been in contact with **** regarding this matter, and he has been satisfied with the outcome.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns about complaint ********. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am an International Medical Graduate trying to get a scheduling g permit to take the USMLE step 1 and 2 exams in preparation for the Match 2024. I was told that The Medical school I graduated from in 2019 would have to update my status. My status was verified two years ago already(received an email stating so). I put in my letter explaining why I had did not take the exam at that time(due to unforeseen health circumstances). I have written a letter to their credentialing to be exempt from this status verification and to be given a scheduling permit to take the exams. I continue to attempt to check my status, and every time I get placed on hold and the representative returns and is unable to update me on my status nor an update on scheduling the exam. I have spoken with a supervisor twice and I get the same response. The second time, I spoke with a supervisor , I was told she would contact their credentialing department and let me know by phone or email. To this day, I have not heard anything. I feel as though my status with ECFMG has taken a back seat and falls on deaf ears every time I call or email. No one seems to be responding. I am looking to be exempt from the verification/status update from graduating medical school and to receive the scheduling permit/authorization to schedule both exams. Thank you kindly to Better Business Bureau with your assistance in this matter. Regards, Concerned International Medical Graduate

  Business response

  06/07/2023

  This is to inform you that the issue has been resolved. We have contacted Dr. ******* with an update regarding her ECFMG® records.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions or concerns pertaining to complaint ********. 

• Initial Complaint

  03/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Hi, hope you're well. I'm reaching out as the Dean of *** *** ******** Medical and Dental College, Kasur, Pakistan, ****** ID *******, with reference to our accreditation with ECFMG. We have sent our paperwork for registration last year which was received by ECFMG on June 24, 2022, but we never heard back from ECFMG. Now, we are just waiting for sponsor notes to be added to world directory of medical schools so that our students can get ECFMG certification and write USMLE exams but there is no proper response from ECFMG. We have emailed on [email protected] and [email protected] but no response. We just want to get this issue sorted out. Our governing Body, ******** Medical and Dental Council (*MDC), already answered your inquiry about our medical school but again the registration is pending. All we ask is to register our medical school and add the sponsor notes as current. If there is any issue on our part, let us know so that we can resolve it as soon as possible. We are writing to BBB to mediate this issue as we are not getting a response from ECFMG. An urgent response to this matter would be appreciated. Best Regards, Prof. Dr. ****** ***** ******* Dean | *** *** ******** Medical and Dental College ****** ID *******

• Initial Complaint

  02/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was dismissed from my residency program in a retaliatory fashion, 6 months prior to graduation. I attempted to report concerns to the ECFMG, however they were completely uninterested in hearing my case and/or investigating in my interest. Furthermore, prior to the appeals process, when I spoke to representatives from the ECFMG, they never informed me that such a decision would prevent me from further J1 sponsorship. They further did not respond to inquiries regarding my institution's TPL, or any supporting information. Had they been transparent regarding their decision making, and/or provided any written guidance regarding their decision to provide further J1 sponsorship, I would have employed an attorney as part of the appeals process to advocate on my behalf. Due to complete lack of regard for my circumstances, details of my case and the retaliation that was the basis for the dismissal, they are now depriving me of the opportunity to continue on to any other program, as I would require J1 Visa  sponsorship to do so. ECFMG's behavior in this regard has been incredibly exploitative of foreign medical graduates such as myself, who suffered extensively and provided valuable service to this country during the COVID19 pandemic. Being denied the opportunity for further training, after 3.5 years of service is not only devastating, but completely arbitrary and discriminatory in nature.

  Business response

  03/08/2023

  March 7, 2023 

  
  Dear *** *******, 
  

   

  Thank you for your letter of February 8, 2023, which I received on February 27, 2023. The physician in question  was sponsored by ECFMG for a J-1 visa in order to participate in an accredited program of graduate medical  education. Physicians sponsored by ECFMG for a J-1 visa are required to adhere to ECFMG policies in alignment  with the federal regulations governing the J-1 visa program. When applying for J-1 sponsorship, the physician  attests to the following:  
  I understand that the decision as to whether I qualify for J-1 sponsorship rests solely and exclusively with ECFMG  and that ECFMG's decision-making authority is ongoing. Further, I understand that ECFMG reserves the right to  deny the application or reapplication for J-1 visa sponsorship of any prospective, current or returning applicant  for any reason, including but not limited to: … the applicant has previously resigned or been dismissed from a  program of graduate medical education (GME) due to legal issues; the applicant has a deficit in one of the  ACGME-identified core competencies (e.g., patient care and procedural skills, medical knowledge, practice-based  learning and improvement, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, etc.); or there is a  significant incident or allegation concerning the applicant. Denial decisions are within ECFMG’s sole discretion. 

   

  In addition, ECFMG relies on the framework of accreditation established by the Accreditation Council for  Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and its associated policies and procedures. These are designed to ensure  that trainees are afforded due process. As stated on our website, disciplinary actions by a host institution/training program are expected to follow ACGME requirements for Sponsoring Institutions. ECFMG  defers discretion for disciplinary actions related to the training program and/or trainee performance to the host  institution. ECFMG does not intervene in institutional contractual issues.  

  
  The physician was dismissed by a training program following a series of documented deficiencies. The physician  was given the opportunity to appeal; the dismissal was upheld upon appeal. As stated in the attestation above,  ECFMG reserves the right at its sole discretion to deny future sponsorship when deficiencies are documented. 

  
  Thank you for reaching out to ECFMG on behalf of this individual and providing an opportunity to respond. 

   

  Sincerely, 
  
  Christine *. S******, MBA, MSL 
  Director, Regulatory Services 
  

  Customer response

  03/08/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  

  Per § 62.11 Duties of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers.

   

  ECFMG and its responsible officer were required to Monitor that the exchange visitor obtains sufficient advice and assistance to facilitate the successful completion of his or her exchange visitor program;, they failed this obligation, prior to the emergence of any disciplinary issues.

   

  Furthermore, when I expressed to them fears that my employer was violating Federal FMLA regulations, they had no interest in investigating.

   

  EFMG, as a private business obtains fees, ensuring that it will provide the services that support its sponsees. However, it provides no such services, and despite being aware of the lack of awareness that foreign graduates would have regarding US Employment Laws, makes no efforts to investigate such violations.

  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Hello, My USMLE-ID is ********** am an international medical graduate (IMG) who is applying for the residency program this year in the US. As part of the application for IMG, I am required to pass OET exam, Step1/Step2 CK, and pathway 6 to get my ECFMG certificate. I paid $925 for pathway 6, $160 for the ECFMG certification application, ~$2000 for the step exams. All my documents were ready and received by ECFMG on Sep 17th, and on their website, they said it takes 2 weeks to process the certificate. It's been almost 3 weeks, and I've missed the time to submit the full application to residency programs. I've called and emailed many times, but the customer representative only asked me to wait. I request to have my certificate approved as soon as possible, and an explanation of what caused the delay. Thanks. Sincerely,****** ****

  Business response

  10/30/2022

  I write in response to Complaint ********.

   

  I am pleased to inform you that this issue has been resolved on October 7, 2022. Dr. ***** ECFMG Certificate has been issued, and she has been notified of this update and confirms that her complaint to the Better Business Bureau has been resolved.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions or concerns pertaining to complaint ********. My direct contact information is listed below.

   

  Regards,

  Customer response

  11/01/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I applied for my medical exam (USMLE 2) in April and paid $985 in order to receive my exam eligibility period from June-August 31st to take the exam. I asked for an extension month before on August 1st, which I paid an extra $100 for. Since then it has been nothing but back and forth nonsense. No one knows the actual problem, but every person continues to give me the same excuse and recommend I check back within a week. One person says it has to do with a student verification status (which my school has consistently approved, I even have emails from my school claiming everything was verified), others say its a problem with my graduation status but no one knows for sure the reason. Fast forward 2 months later with no resolution. I was told by several employees including a senior advisor that if the problem persists, I can reapply when the application fully terminates on September 26th 2022. I called back and am told that i nowhere to wait till September 30th and that they have sent the problem to the IT department (AGAIN FOR THE 7TH TIME). I'm sorry but if you aren't able to resolve the problem within 2 months, i highly doubt you can resolve it with 4 more days. I have asked for a refund or at least a credit so I may reapply and am constantly told no, just to wait. I cannot wait any longer, residency applications were due today September 28th and my career is being delayed by some computer system glitch. Below I've attached the posted date of the payment, along with confirmation from my school that the request was verified and sent out multiple times. To this date there has been no resolution and every time I call back they say someone "higher up" will reach out to me.

  Business response

  12/07/2022

  I write in response to Complaint *******.

   

  Please be advised we have attempted to contact *** ****** ******** via telephone and email regarding this matter, and we are still waiting for a response.   However, we can confirm that *** ******** is currently registered for the USMLE® Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) examination and is scheduled to take the exam, which was the reason for her complaint.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions or concerns pertaining to complaint *******. My direct contact information is listed below.

   

  Regards,

  
  

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