Integrating internationally trained healthcare professionals into the U.S. healthcare workforce

	Maria Garcia: Physician-Dominican Republic " The word 'thanks' is not enough to express how I feel about the New York City Welcome Back Center. "   As a member of the NYC Welcome Back Center, Maria Garcia was referred to the Medical Office Clinical Technician training program at LaGuardia Community College. She is now certified to work as a Phlebotomist and EKG Technician while she pursues her goal to become a licensed physician in New York City.
	Nelson Gil: Physician-Dominican Republic " Through the services I received from New York City Welcome Back Center, I improved my English and I am much more confident to speak with others, especially on the phone. " Nelson Gil has taken and passed all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing exam. The NYC Welcome Back Center is assisting him in obtaining a position in a medical residency program.
	Yesenia Martinez-Moreno: Psychologist-Colombia " The New York City Welcome Back Center gave me an opportunity to improve my quality of life. I am now working as a Phlebotomist and working toward my professional goals. " Yezenia Martinez joined the NYC Welcome Back Center in June 2009. She graduated from the Medical Office Clinical Technician Program at LaGuardia Community College to become certified as a Phlebotomist and EKG Technician. She now works in one of the top phlebotomy labs in the city while she works towards her goal of becoming a mental health practitioner.

Read more success stories,  

Success Story: Maria Pajares

Maria Pajares was a licensed nurse in her native Peru but had been working as a cashier at a local pharmacy at near minimum wage with no healthcare benefits since arriving in New York City. With a goal of improving her language skills, she enrolled first in CIET’s English and Civics program then in its Bridge to Allied Health course, which integrates contextualized ESOL lessons with medical terminology to prepare students for future training opportunities. After becoming a member of the NYC Welcome Back Center, she validated her nursing degree in New York State and was referred to a partner organization, The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, for an NCLEX RN course, which integrated contextualized ESOL lessons with test preparation for the RN licensing examination. Maria successfully passed her re-credentialing exam and was immediately hired by her internship site at as a full-time Diabetes Nurse Educator, earning over 450% more than when she began at CIET.

"I am very thankful to the Center for Immigrant Education and Training for helping me improve my English dramatically. The connections made here at LaGuardia helped me grow professionally and learn what I needed to do to work in the United States. If it weren't for these programs, I never would have learned about the NYC Welcome Back Center which opened the door for me to re-enter the nursing career that I am so passionate about." –Maria Pajares, NYC 

Success Story: Juliana Andrade da Silva

Juliana Andrade da Silva was a licensed nurse in her native Brazil but had been working as a supermarket cashier at near minimum wage with no benefits since arriving in New York City. With the goals of improving her language skills and re-entering the healthcare field, she enrolled in the Center for Immigrant Education and Training's I-Best Medical Office and Clinical Technician (MOCT) program, which integrates contextualized ESOL lessons with workforce training in medical terminology, phlebotomy and EKG. At the end of the course, Juliana earned national certifications as a Phlebotomist and EKG Technician and was immediately hired by her internship site as a full-time Medical Assistant. Six months later, she was promoted, thus earning 80% more than when she began studying at CIET. Juliana is currently enrolled in the NYC Welcome Back Center where she is validating her medical degree from Brazil and applying for licensure as a Registered Nurse in New York State.