Baptist Health Relied on International Medical Graduates
The hospital system filled most of its residency positions with doctors trained outside of the United States.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Healthcare
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Baptist Health Montgomery has filled nearly all of its residency positions with international medical graduates. This strategy highlights the system's focus on diversity within its medical training programs.
Why it matters
The reliance on international physicians helps fill critical staffing needs for the largest healthcare provider in the River Region of Alabama. Hospitals leverage these graduates to maintain essential care services while promoting institutional diversity.
The Baptist Health family medicine program comprises 84.6% international medical graduates and 15.4% Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. Meanwhile, the internal medicine residency consists of over 90% international medical graduates.
The players
Baptist Health Montgomery
It is the largest healthcare provider and private employer in Alabama's River Region.
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
This organization sponsors J-1 visas for international physicians training within the United States.
Alabama Department of Public Health
This state agency oversees the State-30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program for designated shortage areas.
The details
Baptist Health Montgomery utilizes J-1 visas sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to staff its training programs. The facility also participates in the State-30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program, which requires employers to attempt to recruit an American physician before hiring a J-1 visa holder.
Timeline
In 2024, 25.6% of active U.S. physicians were international medical graduates.
During 2025, the percentage of active international medical graduate residents increased to 24.2% nationally.
Market Landscape
The use of international medical graduates reflects a broader strategy among healthcare systems to address physician shortages and foster diversity. This approach navigates complex federal immigration policies while securing a consistent pipeline of medical talent for local residency programs.
Patients in the River Region may encounter a diverse group of physicians who have received medical training from international institutions. These staffing decisions are designed to ensure consistent access to care despite broader national physician shortages.
The takeaway
Hospitals often rely on international medical graduates to maintain essential healthcare capacity and diversity in local programs. Readers should recognize these residency pipelines as a critical component of regional healthcare staffing models.
Further reading
Learn more about local medical staffing trends in the Healthcare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 1819 News.
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