The Surgeons Odyssey | Dr. Raghav Saini

Canada has a shortage of doctors — yet internationally trained physicians often face years of barriers before they can practice medicine.In this episode of Ship of Fools Podcast – Where Wit Meets Wisdom, we sit down with Dr. Raghav Saini, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Surrey, British Columbia.Dr. Saini shares his remarkable journey from graduating at Government Medical College Amritsar in India to navigating the long and complex process of becoming licensed to practice medicine in Canada.We discuss the realities many international medical graduates face when trying to work in the Canadian healthcare system — including licensing exams, regulatory requirements, and years of uncertainty before being able to serve patients.Topics in this episode include:• Dr. Saini’s medical training in India• The decision to immigrate to Canada• The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) exams• Licensing through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC)• Achieving Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC)• The challenges international doctors face entering the Canadian system• Serving Surrey’s diverse community in English, Hindi, and Punjabi• The philosophy of orthopedic surgery and restoring quality of lifeDr. Saini also shares advice for internationally trained physicians considering Canada and his outlook for the future of orthopedic care.Ship of Fools PodcastWhere Wit Meets Wisdom.Conversations exploring leadership, culture, policy, and the ideas shaping our world.