erished family . I was required to take the FLEX and boards to get licensed to practice in the US . We had to find schools for children who looked different , were too well dressed and polite and called Chinks because of their eyes . We learned that my husband was “ overqualified ,” hence had to dumb down his resume to be hired for a job . Those were but some of the many hurdles , obstacles and changes to be managed .
All immigrants leave the comfort of their homes , undergo trials of separation , uncertainty and discrimination , to better their lives . They flee from dangers of persecution , violence , political unrest , poverty and presumed dangers to their lives and future , for better alternatives . They do these with great deliberation and certainly not for the fun of adventure .
From the unschooled farmers who travel in droves to gather ripened tomatoes , cut maturing asparagus and other farm products going north and back again , fearing they may not have the legal papers and be turned back before they have finished ; to others who work as laborers in order to send back money to their families and take any jobs that no one else will do : they all sacrifice their lives . They sacrifice their health and dignity . They disrupt or forego the education of their children , and experience other privations we might never hear of . Unfortunately , many of these problems do not spare even the more educated and financially fortunate . A physician who , fleeing drug violence in his province comes legally into the US , cannot apply for boards because he hasn ’ t had a US residency . He may work as an orderly in a hospital but eventually ends up working for a motor company in a different field , to support his family . A lawyer waiting on tables at a hotel eventually is tapped to help run the security office . All start from scratch and work their way up .
To be sure , these are the go-getters , the ones who do not wait for calamity to befall them . They live the words that Wm . Ernest Henley penned in his poem “ Invictus ” ( Unconqerable ):
“ I am the master of my fate , I am the captain of my soul .”
When properly vetted , immigrants are not meant to be beggars to drain the economy of the receiving country . On the contrary , they transfer their talents , no matter how humble , to wherever they are welcomed . There , in helping themselves , they hopefully become assets where they come to rest .
I am an immigrant . Dr . Oropilla is a retired psychiatrist .
PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT PACKAGE
Do you have a new physician joining your practice ?
Are you opening a new satellite office ?
Are you moving to a new office location ?
The GLMS Professional Announcement Package provides mailings and printed announcements in the monthly publications to let your colleagues know about changes in your practice .
Outsource your next mailing to GLMS .
CONTACT Cheri McGuire , Director of Marketing 502.736.6336 cheri . mcguire @ glms . org
MARCH 2017 11