When Moema moved to the US in 2016, she took a brief career break to help her family settle. She quickly recognized that staying home was difficult, as she was so used to working. She started volunteering as a medical interpreter. This role made her realize she should be putting her healthcare background to more use. However, the transition was challenging for her, as she imagined. But no obstacle could stop her from following her passion for using her knowledge to make patient safety better everywhere she could.

“As immigrants, we quickly learn to adapt and be flexible. In the US, the work pathways are way more defined. Back in my country, because of my broad background, I had more options to explore different tracks.”  

Moema aimed to return to roles focused on quality improvement and patient safety, even exploring opportunities in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. She ultimately took on contractor positions, though she did not see this as a long-term solution.

Moema first heard about ABN in 2024, around advocacy for the Physician Pathway Act. She read about the programming and applied for both career advising and the Immigrant Professionals Fellowship. Moema has been selected to work with Boston Medical Center’s Clinical Research department.

“What caught my attention was the opportunity to repurpose my skills in clinical governance, regulatory compliance, patient safety systems, and process improvement.” 

Her background allows her to contribute immediately to clinical research operations, protocol adherence, and quality assurance initiatives. Through ABN’s Fellowship, Moema completed structured professional preparation and was selected for placement based on her ability to add value in complex healthcare environments.

Moema’s experience reflects a national challenge: highly trained immigrant physicians sidelined by structural barriers, even as US healthcare systems face workforce shortages. With sustained investment, ABN can scale pathways that allow more professionals like Moema to strengthen patient care, safety, and healthcare quality across the Commonwealth.