After immigrating from Venezuela, Lubna Nasr El Nimer, MD, started her U.S. health care career in Miami. Now a PGY-3 at UT Rio Grande Valley at Knapp Medical Center, she looks forward to her future career in academic family medicine and offers advice for students participating in Match Day this month.
Tell us about your career path.
Since childhood, I learned that to achieve your dreams you must study and work hard. As a daughter of immigrant parents with Venezuelan and Middle Eastern heritage, a hardworking mindset was part of my everyday existence. My decision to pursue a career in medicine was the byproduct of a motor vehicle accident that my parents were involved in while I was attending high school. Witnessing how the physicians treated them until their full recovery reinforced this decision.
At the end of my rural year, I had the opportunity to be a lecturer in medical histology for my medical school, Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela. During the same period, I decided to immigrate to the United States with my brother, who is also a physician, in hopes that I would have an opportunity to start medical residency training. This difficult decision involved many challenges, such as leaving my country, family, and friends, learning a new language, and adapting to a new culture.
In the U.S., I completed several medical rotations in multiple hospitals, gained research experience in geriatrics at the VA Miami Healthcare, and in diabetes at the Diabetic Research Institute in Miami. I became a community educator with the Alzheimer's Association. Currently, I am a third-year family medicine resident at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Knapp), where I provide medical care to my patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
Who or what inspired you to become a family physician?
My passion for family medicine gained roots when I did my clinical internship in Venezuela and in the U.S. It was inspiring to see how the family physicians were applying evidence-based medicine, focusing on patients of all ages and their families, uncovering hidden conditions, and emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention.
After concluding medical school at the University of Los Andes in Merida-Venezuela, I began a new and unforgettable chapter in my life, the so-called “rural year.” I remember distinctly one day having to trek up to a remote and completely inaccessible region to provide medical care to vulnerable children and adults. We went to extreme lengths, taking long hikes and donkey rides through hills and mountains to access these areas. Seeing the patients’ smiles, happiness, and gratitude was more than enough to compensate all of us for the tiresome treks. The immense gratitude they displayed reaffirmed my conviction to become a family physician.
Finally, I believe that as family physicians we follow the statement of Dr. William Osler, the Father of Modern Medicine: “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”
What has surprised you most about family medicine?
Every day, I realize that family medicine is the center of primary care, research, advocacy, and leadership. We are the only specialty that sees and provides comprehensive health care for people of all ages. In addition to using evidence-based medicine, we focus on social determinants of health, mental health, and individualized patient treatment. I have also learned to appreciate that individualized care is important because each patient represents a unique story. These stories include their beliefs, chief complaints, and social situations.
I was surprised to learn that as family physicians, we can do home visits which gives us clearer insight into the lives of our patients, in addition to providing community health education.
Match Day is this month! Do you have any words of encouragement for folks waiting to find out where they matched?
Match Day is one of the most-awaited events for all medical students and International Medical Graduates, which brings many emotions. By this point, you have given your all regarding your precious time, dedication, and enthusiasm. This also has come with high expenses, both financially and mentally.
The time will arrive on its own, so there is no need to be concerned about what will happen. Take pride in knowing you have given your all. Your hard work and dedication are about to manifest into a wonderful new future!
My greatest wishes are to all of you, and may your dedication be rewarded by matching to your preferred residency program. For those unmatched students: Keep going, stay strong, improve your resume, and never give up on your dreams! Everything will come to you at the perfect time.
What about students who are thinking about the Match for next year?
The coming year is definitely an important time, and you must start thinking about how you will approach it. You will be preparing for a very important milestone that could define the direction of your career. Keep your eye on your goals, but don't fixate and let your current work be impacted.
During this time, have a plan on how to focus on your objectives. You can network by attending medical conferences and improve your resume by doing additional academic research.
Be sure to take the time to prepare for interviews, but don't overthink it. Be genuine, be confident, and most importantly, be yourself during the day of your interview. Be proud that you are the future of the health care system and will be charting a new course for patient care in our society.
What are your plans for your career?
My plans are to get board-certified in family medicine and obesity medicine. Regarding work, I would like to start in the inpatient setting, continue with research, and eventually, become part of academic medicine. I also hope to attend and become more involved in the regional and national family medicine conferences including AAFP’s National Conference of Constituency Leaders.
Why do you choose to be a TAFP member?
I have always been interested in being part of an association like TAFP, which inspires, supports, and allows you to grow personally and professionally.
I was part of the inaugural class of the TAFP Resident Leadership Experience in 2022-2023, where I learned about health care system leadership. Then, I became TAFP’s Resident Alternate Delegate to AAFP’s National Conference. The experience of writing a resolution about International Medical Graduates and defending it at the Resident Congress was an amazing opportunity that inspired me to continue advocating for IMGs and their rights. Recently, I obtained a scholarship to represent Texas at AAFP’s National Conference of Constituency Leaders.
Moving forward, I will use what I learned during my time with TAFP to advocate for IMGs, women physicians, and new physicians.
What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
I enjoy spending quality and fun time with my family and friends. I like to cook different types of cuisines, including Venezuelan and Middle Eastern, and recently I learned how to bake and decorate cakes. I also exercise on a daily basis as my daily pain reliever after a recent ACL reconstruction surgery.
TAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Texas family physicians in TAFP News Now and on the TAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different TAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting TAFP by email at tafp@tafp.org or by phone at (512) 329-8666.