WASHINGTON — The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) President J. Dawn Abbott, MD, MSCAI released the following statement regarding the resumption of visa processing for international medical graduates (IMGs):

"The United States is facing a significant and growing physician shortage, one that is acutely felt in interventional cardiology, where timely access to trained specialists is directly tied to patient survival. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America, and interventional cardiologists are essential to ensuring patients receive lifesaving cardiovascular care when they need it most.

“International medical graduates are an indispensable part of the U.S. physician workforce and a critical component of our healthcare pipeline. Nearly one in four physicians in the United States is foreign-born, and many practice in rural and underserved communities where access to care would otherwise be limited.

“The resumption of visa processing helps reduce uncertainty for highly trained physicians and healthcare systems already operating under significant workforce strain. Ensuring a stable and predictable pathway for international medical graduates is important for maintaining patient access to specialized cardiovascular care across the country.

“The decision to reverse the processing hold allows highly trained physicians to continue serving patients without uncertainty about their status and helps stabilize a workforce already under strain. SCAI appreciates the administration’s recognition of the role international medical graduates play in supporting the U.S. healthcare system. We encourage continued efforts to reduce administrative and financial barriers, including consideration of visa-related costs, to support a strong and sustainable physician workforce.”

Media Contact

Gavin Stern 
[email protected], 202-644-8561 

About the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions is a professional organization representing more than 5,000 invasive and interventional cardiology professionals in approximately 75 nations. SCAI's mission is to promote excellence in invasive/interventional cardiovascular medicine through physician education and representation, and advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care. For more information, visit scai.org.