"5 Point Letter"

Alien Physician Research Scholar Information

The University of Louisville, through the International Center, may issue the form DS2019 to alien physicians (foreign medical graduates) to enable them to come to the United States for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching and/or research only. 

If the primary purpose of the exchange visitor’s participation in a program is of a clinical nature (residency training), the exchange visitor may not be documented under the University of Louisville’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. In such cases, the alien physician must be documented under the trainee program of the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates). For processing a J-1 visitor through ECFMG, please contact the office of the Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education in the School of Medicine. 

“5 Point Letter” 

(Please see sample letter below.)

This letter must be submitted with the DS2019 Request Forms for any person who is a physician in their home country regardless whether they will have incidental patient contact or not. The letter should be reviewed and signed by the Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education in the School of Medicine. 

When requesting the letter to be signed by the Vice Dean, you must submit a copy of the DS2019 Departmental Request Form and the exchange visitor’s resume or vitae with the “5 Point Letter”. 

In addition to submitting the “5 Point Letter,” if no patient care is involved in the alien physician’s duties, please indicate “NO PATIENT CARE” on the DS2019 Request form. The International Center will be unable to issue a DS2019 form for an alien physician if the “5 Point Letter” is not included with the requested documentation. 

If you have any questions concerning these procedures, please feel free to email isss@louisville.edu or call 502-852-6604.

SAMPLE “5 Point Letter”

To be attached to all DS2019 requests forms for J-1 exchange visitors who are alien physicians in their home country

DATE 

To Whom It May Concern:

The program in which (name of physician) will participate is predominantly involved with observation, consultation, teaching or research. 

Any incidental patient contact involving the alien physician will be under the direct supervision of a physician who is a U.S citizen or resident alien and who is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Kentucky.

The alien physician will not be given final responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Any activities of the alien physician will conform fully to the State licensing requirements and regulations for medical and health care professionals in the State in which the alien physician is pursuing the program.

Any experience gained in this program will not be creditable towards any clinical requirements for medical specialty board certification.

Signed by,

(signature)
Department Chair 

(signature)
[Name of the Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education] Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education