What if the thing you’ve been told is a weakness in your application is the very thing that sets you apart? It depends on the value you place on it. Dr. Vernicia Hernandez, born and raised in Mayaro, a small community in Trinidad and Tobago, brings more than just credentials to the residency match. In this powerful conversation, she reflects on the long road from an internship in the Caribbean to matching at her first choice, the University of Miami. From working as a clinical tutor at SGU, to weighing England vs. the U.S., to the bold decision not to rank a program she didn’t believe in, Dr. Vernicia shows how matching isn’t just about test scores, it’s about valuing yourself and what you bring to a program, even as an IMG. You’ll hear what made her fall in love with internal medicine, why she’s building her career in sleep medicine, and how she plans to give back through healthcare policy and advocacy. If you’re an IMG still figuring out how to stand out, this is your guide.
00:00 Intro

00:58 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:38 Meet Dr. Vernicia Hernandez

02:33 Journey to Medicine

05:26 Choosing Internal Medicine

08:16 The Match Process

11:18 Preparing for Residency

14:43 Residency Experience and Growth

23:32 Specializing in Sleep Medicine

27:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts