Our Core Values:
Medical expertise doesn’t stop at borders
Experience and competence deserve viable pathways
Healthcare systems are stronger when they reflect the communities they serve
The right match improves outcomes for everyone involved
Built by people who’ve navigated the path:
Mohamed Khalif, MD
Co-Founder | Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Mohamed Khalif is a physician, policy leader, and entrepreneur dedicated to expanding healthcare access and modernizing physician licensing in the United States. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the International Medical Graduates Academy (TIMGA), a national organization focused on integrating internationally trained physicians into the U.S. healthcare system to address the growing physician shortage.
Over the past decade, Dr. Khalif has led one of the most significant physician workforce reform efforts in the country. His work has helped catalyze alternative licensing pathways for internationally trained physicians across more than 29 U.S. states and resulted in the passage of six pieces of legislation in Washington State, including the nation’s first physician license pathway designed specifically for internationally trained doctors.
Dr. Khalif works closely with state legislators, regulatory agencies, and healthcare leaders across the country to design policies that expand the physician workforce while maintaining high standards of care. His policy work has helped shape national conversations around physician shortages, workforce innovation, and the role internationally trained doctors can play in improving healthcare access.
In recognition of his leadership, Governor Jay Inslee appointed Dr. Khalif to the Washington State International Medical Graduate Workgroup, where he collaborated with the Department of Health, the Washington Medical Commission, medical schools, insurers, and healthcare systems to develop statewide physician workforce recommendations.
Dr. Khalif’s work has been featured in TIME, Al Jazeera, FTC Watch, Longreads, and Seattle Weekly, highlighting the impact of internationally trained physicians in addressing healthcare shortages and improving care in underserved communities.
Through his advocacy, Dr. Khalif has mobilized hundreds of internationally trained physicians, built coalitions across the healthcare sector, and helped open new pathways for highly qualified doctors to serve patients in the United States.
Sam Hsieh, MD FACS FACHE
Co-Founder | Chief Medical Officer
First and foremost, Dr. Sam Hsieh is an International Medical Graduate. He received his medical education at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and completed his general surgery training at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) before beginning his surgical career in Washington State.
Today, he is a general surgeon and Chief Medical Officer serving rural Washington State. His journey from IMG to practicing surgeon and healthcare executive is not incidental. It is the foundation of everything he is building at WeAreDocs.
In 2010, Dr. Hsieh applied to 120 residency programs. His scores were strong. His letters of recommendation were excellent. He had trained diligently and believed he was prepared.
He only received 10 interviews.
It became clear to him that this was not simply about competence. There were systemic barriers that determined which physicians were given the opportunity to continue their careers in the United States.
Dr. Hsieh was fortunate. He matched, trained, and went on to serve as a physician and hospital leader in rural America. But that experience changed how he sees the physician workforce problem because today, he has lived it from both sides.
As a rural hospital CMO, Dr. Hsieh sees positions remain open for months, sometimes years. I see the resources organizations spend recruiting and retaining physicians. He sees clinicians stretched thin and communities struggling for access.
At the same time, He sees highly trained international physicians already living in the United States. Many have practiced medicine independently abroad. Many have years of clinical experience. Yet despite a healthcare system searching for physicians, much of this talent remains underutilized.
These are not two separate problems.
This is not only a supply problem. It is a utilization problem.
WeAreDocs was built to bridge that gap.
Not simply as a staffing company, but as the infrastructure connecting highly trained international physicians with the healthcare organizations and communities that need them.
WeAreDocs help healthcare organizations navigate emerging state pathways, licensing requirements, supervision, compliance, and implementation so they can responsibly integrate this physician workforce into their organizations.
Dr. Hsieh helped built WeAreDocs because he knows what it takes to be an IMG navigating this system. And as CMO, he knows what it means to sit on the other side of the table trying to recruit physicians, expand services, maintain quality, meet regulatory requirements, and build a workforce that will stay.
That perspective allows him to understand both sides.
For physicians, this is an opportunity to return to the profession they trained for.
For healthcare organizations, it is access to an experienced physician workforce that has historically been overlooked.
For communities, it means more physicians and greater access to care.
WeAreDocs is not creating a workaround.
We are building a new physician workforce pathway.
And some of the physicians our healthcare system needs are already here.
Elizabeth Hsu, MD
VP of Medical Affairs
I have been triple board certified physician in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Obesity Medicine, and an International Medical Graduate who understands firsthand the challenges IMGs face when pursuing a medical career in the United States. I graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and went through the difficult residency application process that so many international physicians know all too well. Obtaining U.S. clinical experience, securing letters of recommendation from American hospitals, and finding electives or rotations can be incredibly challenging without established connections.
Like many IMGs, I applied to more than 80 residency programs just to receive a handful of interviews. I still remember walking into my first interview and hearing that many U.S. graduates were already on their tenth. That moment made it clear how different the playing field can be for international physicians. Because I have lived this journey myself, I deeply understand what IMGs go through. It is also why I strongly believe in the mission of closing the gap between highly qualified international physicians and the growing physician shortage in the United States, helping ensure that talented doctors have the opportunity to care for the communities that need them most.
Dr. Ronen Friedman, MD, MBA, FACHE
Dr. Ronen Friedman, is a physician executive, healthcare strategist, and practicing physician in Washington State serving as Strategic Partnership Lead for WeAreDocs. He works with healthcare systems, physician organizations, and community partners to expand care access, strengthen workforce solutions, and support sustainable pathways for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the U.S. healthcare system.
A board-certified healthcare executive (FACHE), Dr. Friedman has experience in clinical medicine, healthcare operations, rural healthcare infrastructure, trauma surgery, oncology, rehabilitative medicine, chronic pain, and healthcare innovation, including AI-driven clinical and operational initiatives.
He earned his MD, Summa Cum Laude, from American University of Antigua, completed graduate business training at University of Louisville, trained at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and holds a BS in Biology from Emory University.
Dr. Friedman is also Founder and CEO of Western Rural Health System and founder of Physicians for Patient Advocacy Group, organizations focused on rural healthcare access, physician infrastructure, and patient advocacy.
Peace Elemuwa
Peace Elemuwa is an administrative assistant at WeAreDocs, where she supports international medical graduates as they navigate licensing pathways and career opportunities in the United States. She works closely with ITPs to guide them through MDCE applications and coordinate consultations and training webinars. Her focus is on keeping the process clear, organized, and easier to manage for doctors transitioning into the U.S. healthcare system.
“I can’t believe it – after 7 years of hard work, determination, and constantly improving my CV, I finally matched!! 😄💥 It’s been a long journey, but I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of the TIMGA group and our incredible leaders. “
-Dr. Abreer Omar, MD
Internationally Trained Physicians:
Residing in the U.S., fully trained, or with residency-equivalent experience, ready to practice and contribute meaningfully to care teams. We are the only company that has successfully placed over 200+ candidates, and we can help you too.
Healthcare organizations:
Hospitals, clinics, and health systems committed to ethical hiring and innovative workforce solutions. As early adopters, these organizations are already working with us to implement ITP-friendly pathways and expand access to care.
