Colorado Works for International Physicians
CO-WIP's Legacy
Due to funding constraints, the CO-WIP program is not accepting applications and no future cohorts are currently planned. We hope to restart in the future!
IMGs actively seeking career navigation support should refer to Colorado Welcome Back.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are physicians who earned their medical degrees (MD or an international equivalent) outside the United States or Canada. From 2023 to 2026, the Colorado Works for International Physicians (CO-WIP) initiative supported IMGs in rebuilding their medical careers in Colorado. Established through House Bill 22-1050, CO-WIP aimed to address physician shortages, diversify Colorado’s healthcare workforce, and expand economic opportunities for immigrant physicians and their families. The initiative included two distinct but complementary programs, described below.
CO-WIP’s Vision: The program’s vision was for Colorado’s international medical graduates (IMGs) 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.
While funding only lasted for about three years, the program made a strong impact. Read more below about the structure of the initiative and its impressive outcomes.
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 career navigation program through Spring Institute supported IMGs with the process of medical licensure in Colorado. Navigation services included support with:
- Participants received 9 months of paid clinical rotations
- Once completed, IMGs obtained letters of recommendation from Denver Health MDs, as well as assistance applying to residency programs
- 100% of Clinical Readiness Program participants matched to medical residencies, the majority in Colorado! (See Denver Health’s related press release)
- Education evaluation
- English proficiency preparation for the OET Exam
- 1-1 coaching sessions
- Establishing an actionable goal plan
- Financial assistance for USMLE preparation
- 100% of IMG Assistance Program participants reported increased confidence in navigating the pathway to medical licensure!
More About Colorado's IMGs
Did you know?
- By 2030, Colorado could see a shortage of 2,400 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 2023-2026, Spring Institute supported 44 IMGs through the IMG Assistance Program of Colorado Works for International Physicians (CO-WIP). 11 CO-WIP participants successfully matched to medical residencies, including 100% of those who were part of Denver Health’s Clinical Readiness cohorts.
How IMGs Obtain Medical Licenses in the United States
Click here to open the flowchart below in pdf format.
