Colorado Works
for International Physicians
Reclaim Your Medical Career in Colorado!
The CO-WIP program is not accepting applications and no future cohorts are currently planned.
We hope to restart it in the future!
See below for information about the structure and successes of this innovative program.
IMGs actively seeking career navigation support should refer to Colorado Welcome Back.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are community members with a Doctor of Medicine (MD degree or the international equivalent) completed outside the United States or Canada. The Colorado Works for International Physicians (CO-WIP) initiative has been dedicated to supporting IMGs as they reclaim their medical careers as part of the Colorado healthcare workforce. CO-WIP was created through House Bill 22-1050 to realize the potential of Colorado’s immigrant physicians, close healthcare workforce gaps, diversify Colorado’s healthcare workforce, and advance intergenerational economic mobility. CO-WIP consisted of two distinct sub-programs explained further below.
CO-WIP’s Vision: Our vision is for international medical graduates (IMGs) of Colorado to successfully undergo clinical training and be selected for primary care residencies within the state, in order to enrich the diversity of Colorado’s physician workforce while filling physician shortages.
About the CO-WIP Programs
Clinical Readiness Program with Denver Health
IMG Assistance Program with Spring Institute
This was an intensive nine-month clinical training program to prepare Colorado’s immigrant physicians to match into accredited primary care residencies in Colorado.
This was a career navigation program through Spring Institute that supports IMGs with the process of medical licensure in Colorado. Navigation services include support with:
- Participants will receive 9 months of paid clinical rotations
- Once completed, IMGs will obtain letters of recommendation from Denver Health MDs, as well as assistance applying to residency programs
- Education evaluation
- English proficiency preparation for the OET Exam
- 1-1 coaching sessions
- Establishing an actionable goal plan
- Financial assistance for USMLE preparation
Who was eligible for CO-WIP?
Please carefully review the specific eligibility criteria and expectations for the programs.
To be eligible for Denver Health’s Clinical Readiness Program, participants must meet these criteria:
- At least two years of Colorado residency
- Did not enter the US on a J1 visa or similar non-immigrant visa
- Successfully completed MD Degree or international equivalent according to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) guidance
- ECFMG Certification including passing scores on USMLE Steps 1 & 2 within 3 attempts
- Demonstrates typing proficiency
- Demonstrates fluent English language proficiency
- Completed vaccination record
To be eligible for Spring Institute’s IMG Assistance Program, participants must meet these criteria:
- Reside permanently in Colorado as a US citizen or permanent resident
- Did not enter the US on a J1 visa or similar non-immigrant visa following acceptance to US medical residency or fellowship
- Successfully completed MD Degree or international equivalent (eligible for ECFMG Certification according to ECFMG guidance)
- Advanced English language proficiency (all applicants must take a standardized English assessment)
- Demonstrates the ability to meet the time commitments and expectations associated with the CO-WIP IMG Assistance Programs
Read about the successes of the CO-WIP IMG Assistance Program
More About Colorado’s IMGs
Did you know?
- By 2030, Colorado could see a shortage of 3,000 physicians
- Colorado has 123 areas with healthcare shortages
- Colorado has nearly 3,000 immigrants whose health-related degrees are being underutilized
- Each licensed IMG physician serves a minimum of 1,900 patients annually
- In 2021, IMGs represented 21% of matches to residencies in the US, but only 3.4% in Colorado
- 1 rural physician in Colorado generates 26 jobs and $1.4 million for the clinic and hospital
- From 2019-2022, Spring Institute’s Colorado Welcome Back program aided 200+ IMGs, leading to 34 matching to residencies, with only 1 returning to Colorado
Sources: Colorado Rural Health, American Medical Association, Migration Policy Institute, The Refugee Advocacy Lab
How IMGs Obtain Medical Licenses in the United States
Click here to open the flowchart below in pdf format.
