First, Next, Forever: Pennsylvania

This is Dr. Rameez Chaviwala's Story

Behind every successful 3RNET placement, there are dedicated people hard at work helping job seekers find their first, next or forever opportunity. Meet the 3RNET network coordinators who worked with a health center Executive Director and Human Resources Director in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, to find a physician whose story has a happy ending ‒ a new career in a Federally Qualified Health Clinic (FQHC) located in the picturesque Northern Pocono Mountains.

Rameez M. Chaviwala, MD

Rameez M. Chaviwala, MD, came to the United States to study and practice medicine from Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada, and the third most populous municipality in the region. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Chiviwala’s colleagues encouraged him to register with 3RNET. Knowing that the nonprofit organization offered him essential resources for navigating the complex J-1 Visa Waiver Program and could help him find a practice opportunity that aligned with his career goals and medical-home practice philosophy.

Was it possible for Dr. Chaviwala to be among those in his position to receive a J-1 Visa Waiver? Where did he begin his search to find a practice that would welcome him and provide meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those he hoped to care for?

The Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center: 3RNET in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center (PPCCC) at the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers works to connect primary care providers with compatible opportunities and communities in which to live. Carrying out the critical mission of the Career Center are Judd Mellinger-Blouch and Ama Essel, each of them doing so with great integrity and passion for serving the Keystone State.

While Ama works with dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, behavioral health professionals, and other clinical and administrative staff job seekers, Judd is laser-focused on primary care physicians. In his role, he is a vital interface between employers and those who are eager to explore career opportunities in the state, just as Dr. Chaviwala was when he registered on 3RNET. With decades of experience in the health industry, Judd understands the challenges international medical students face in navigating the complex J-1 Visa Waiver program. He and Career Center staff are determined to remove the roadblocks that may deter health professionals from seeking opportunities to practice in Pennsylvania’s rural and underserved communities. To achieve successful recruitment efforts, PPCCC also focuses on helping their clients create a work experience that will offer a new provider, not just a practice, but also a home where they feel welcomed.

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) is a progressive multi-specialty group affiliated with Wayne Memorial Health System. WMCHC is also a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) comprised of a network of 14 primary care a d specialty clinics, employing a growing medical staff of 70 practitioners throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. When Dr. Chaviwala began his career search by registering on 3RNET.org, WMCHC sought a full-time family practice or internal medicine physician who would commit to providing comprehensive medical care to their diverse patient population. Understanding that the best-fit candidate for the opportunity would likely be seeking loan repayment and possibly Immigration waiver assistance, Fred Jackson, Executive Director of WMCHC, and Miranda Swartwout, Human Resources Director, turned to Judd, 3RNET’s Network Coordinator, for help. Judd focuses on physician recruitment and retention.

Knowing all that WMCHC had to offer, including an outstanding practice opportunity in the breathtaking Northern Pocono Mountain region, with New York City and Philadelphia just a few short hours away, Judd presented Dr. Chaviwala to Fred and Miranda. He stood ready to help navigate the J-1 Visa waters should they offer him the position.

First, Next, Forever: Connecting Dr. Chaviwala with His First Practice

When Dr. Chaviwala first began his job search, he admits, “I was all over the place.” However, once he connected with 3RNET, he said it made all the difference for him in that all the questions he had were answered. He was connected with the right people who understood what he was looking for, and more importantly, why finding a practice working with an underserved community was essential for him.

Chief among his search requirements, and ultimately what helped him decide to accept WMCHC’s offer, was that he could serve a smaller community where people know each other and lend a hand to help each other in times of need. Also significant to him were opportunities to take on an expanded role where he could educate his patients and the community about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), recognizing that by doing so, it could make all the difference in the world for his patients and their overall quality of life. 

Although WMCHC is Dr. Chiviwala’s first job out of residency, he can see himself remaining with the practice and taking on an expanded role, including directing the care for nursing home residents and expanding his scope of practice in geriatric care; perfectly aligning with the needs of the communities WMCHC serves.