Doctor and Community Advocate

Doctor and Community Advocate

From Our Voices, Our Future by Meghan Etsey, Rhea Manohar, Meenu Immaneni, and Laura Uricoechea

May 1, 2026 · 47 min · Season 3 · Episode 4

About this episode

Dr. Rafia Qutab discusses her journey as an international medical graduate and her advocacy for women physicians in rural healthcare.

In this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we’re joined by Dr. Rafia Qutab, a board-certified family medicine physician, founder of Rutland Family Health Center in rural Massachusetts, and a nationally recognized advocate for international medical graduates (IMGs) and women physicians. Dr. Qutab shares her journey from medical training in Pakistan to building a thriving primary care practice in the United States. She reflects on the professional and personal challenges of navigating the U.S. medical system as an IMG and her decision to serve a rural community. We also explore the common challenges IMGs face when transitioning to practice in the U.S., and the importance of mentorship and advocacy in providing the support needed to help them thrive as they build new lives abroad. To learn more about Dr. Qutab, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/raffia.qutab https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffia-qutab-md-34a13661/

People in this episode

Hosts: Meghan Etsey, Rhea Manohar, Meenu Immaneni, Laura Uricoechea

Guest: Dr. Rafia Qutab

Topics covered

  • family medicine
  • international medical graduates
  • women physicians
  • rural healthcare
  • mentorship
  • advocacy

Keywords

  • family medicine
  • international medical graduates
  • women physicians
  • rural healthcare
  • mentorship
  • advocacy
  • medical training
  • U.S. medical system

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rutland Family Health Center

Places: Pakistan, United States, rural Massachusetts

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