REFERENCES
2024
I hope this email finds you well. As we approach the end of 2024, I wanted to take a moment to reflect and express my gratitude to everyone who has supported and uplifted me throughout the year.
Working with you as an extern was an incredibly rewarding experience and has brought me one step closer to my goal of becoming a resident in the U.S. by 2026. In 2025, I plan to apply for the Match, and I look forward to receiving a Letter of Recommendation from our time together in August.
Thank you once again for the invaluable opportunity. I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and wish you a prosperous and fulfilling new year.
Warm Regards,
AE (Past Extern)
5/29/2020
Dear Dr.Jaddou,
I want to thank you for all the support and mentorship you have shown me over the past couple of months. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all faced near-unimaginable upheaval in our personal and professional lives over the last few months. You have been incredibly generous with your time and energy to me, your staff, and your patients throughout this pandemic in terms of keeping us safe by offering us KN95 masks, gowns, and shields. In this new medicine landscape, mixing live and telehealth was an amazing experience for me in this new medicine norm. I am sure it will help me in the residency interviews.
Not only have you been a fantastic mentor to me, but you have also taught me and given me the opportunity to mentor others.
I am intrigued by your energy, and the way you addressed patient concerns and coordinated with all the other externs and staff showed me the best management skills.
As a result of your expertise and guidance, I have a much deeper understanding of practice-based learning and course of treatment.
I truly appreciate the confidence you showed in me. My gratitude for your contribution to my future success is immeasurable.
I hope that after this externship, I might be in
contact with you at greater length and need your guidance in pursuing my residency.
Last but not least, your “sense of humor” made this journey memorable. Thank you so much.
Yours Sincerely, YV
I am about to finish an externship under Dr. Jaddou, and I have to say, I have learned more in the past three weeks than I did in my last two years of medical school. He is very good with all the students and gives weekly quizzes on different topics, too. I feel so prepared for residency as he has already taught us the dosing of different medications. I would recommend this externship to anyone who doesn't have any USCE because he will teach you from scratch and you will be a pro with the Allscripts EMR by the end of it. A great experience overall!
Priyal Patel, M.D., Ross Medical School, 2014
For all those who are scared of Detroit, I may say that this place is lovely and peaceful. Both clinics that I had my rotation at are up-to-date in terms of technologies. A friendly atmosphere is the main reason I never felt intimidated by others. During my one-month stay, I managed to find good friends. We were 5 days a week at clinic, but we also had our share of fun.
Do not hesitate to contact the program. Application is easy! I may also share my experience via email if you still have questions!
Iryna Liauchonak, M.D., 2014
For all those who are scared of Detroit, I may say that this place is lovely and peaceful. Both clinics that I had my rotation at are up-to-date in terms of technologies. A friendly atmosphere is the main reason I never felt intimidated by others. During my one-month stay, I managed to find good friends. We were 5 days a week at clinic, but we also had our share of fun.
Do not hesitate to contact the program. Application is easy! I may also share my experience via email if you still have questions!
Iryna Liauchonak, M.D., 2014
(2012 Review)
"Excellent rotation. The best one I have had "Just graduated from medical school. Highly recommended.
-Parth Dave Ross University
"This externship has been a terrific experience. Also, patients who come to the office are respectful to the externs. Finally, I have enjoyed a lot this rotation and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who needs US clinical experience. "
Carlos Zanabria, M.D., (2007), from Peru
"I recently did an externship with Dr. Jaddou. It was the best externship experience I've had in the U.S.. He is a faculty at two medical schools. He is a staff member at many hospitals and a professor." I am sure a letter of recommendation from him will add a lot of value."
-Vineet Pillai M.D. India
Summer 2005
"You get to work in an environment that is truly conducive to learning." The knowledge I have gained during this rotation are truly priceless. "In my opinion, Dr. Jaddou is not only an amazing clinician but also a caring human being."
Siddique Khatri, M.D. (2011), University of Saint Eustathius
Hello Dr, Jaddou,
I just wanted to thank you for everything again. I appreciate all your help and advice. I learned many things and gained much from the experience. Thank you again for the LOR. I hope to keep in touch, and please don’t hesitate if you ever need anything from Canada.
Sincerely, Milud
From usmle-forum.com
Well, I am nearing the end of my externship with Dr. Jaddou, and I can say these four weeks have been simply amazing!
Dr. Jaddou is very knowledgeable and also very approachable; this externship added a lot to my knowledge.
He also used to give us handouts on guidelines for management of common cases like hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, and infectious diseases. I would say this was the most beneficial part of the externship.
Besides, we also learned to perform EKGs, urine tests and strep tests.
The offices are very systematic and disciplined.
So overall, it was a great experience that will certainly help me a lot in my career.
This is my first post ever on this site. I decided to comment since I used other people’s comments to make my decision to sign up for this externship.
One word to describe my experience is "amazing!" Dr. Jaddou was super friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. He was always trying to teach and point out things that were on the board and things you would use in daily practice. The biggest thing is that even if you were wrong, he wouldn’t make you feel worthless or degrade you; he would kindly correct you and make sure you understood what your mistake was. I was never afraid to ask questions. To reinforce important concepts, he provided handouts on common topics such as HTN, HLD, diabetes, and antibiotics that are relevant to family medicine and the boards. I absolutely loved these handouts and the tests that came with them.
Out of all the doctors I’ve met, he was literally the only one that made me feel like I should be a doctor.
I am about to finish an externship under Dr. Jaddou, and I have to say, I have learned more in the past three weeks than I did in my last two years of medical school. He is very good with all the students and gives weekly quizzes on different topics, too. I feel so prepared for residency as he has already taught us the dosing of different medications. I would recommend this externship to anyone who doesn't have any experience in EMR because he will teach you from scratch and you will be a pro with the EMR by the end of it. The . A great experience overall!
Somerset Family Medicine, SFM #837790 newshiii1503 - 02/25/17 21:50 Hi everyone. This is my first post on the USMEL website, and I want to share some experience with you regarding the rotation that I just finished this week.
I am a Chinese medical graduate who just passed Step 2 CS last year and desperately need some hands-on USCE to help with my residency match this year. I had some experience applying for rotations through commercial groups when I was still in medical school four years ago. However, that experience still gave me nightmare today because I ended up seeing no patient and learn nothing at all. Hence, this time I am very cautious about choosing the programs.
During the searching, I accidentally found something on the AMA website (you can google "AMA externship" and click the first link; sorry that the forum does not allow me to put any link here). There are several programs listed here with "AMA certification." I think, well, these programs have AMA certification, so maybe they are worth a shot. I applied the Somerset Family Medicine, SFM listed on the top of the web page and that's how I finally met with Dr. Neil Jaddou.
Now I am very glad that I made the right choice by rotating with Dr. Jaddou.
Dr. Jaddou is a very nice person. He does spend time educating students with great patience. He is very kind and provides a free clinic in St. Joseph's Church every week. He invited me to visit the Beaumont hospital and go to dinner with him and his wife in one of the best steakhouses in Detroit. I really enjoyed the time with Dr. Jaddou and all the staff in the office.
I understand everyone wants to know about the LoR. And yes, if you work hard, it is very likely that you will obtain a good LOR from Dr. Jaddou. He has a lot of connections in the Detroit area, and the letter can be very helpful if you are going to apply for family medicine or internal medicine. Moreover, if you work even harder, you may get a certification as "Student of the Month," which will make your CV look good.
I'd like to recommend this rotation to everyone, especially those IMG who have just started preparing for the match. I guarantee that you will learn a lot through this rotation. For my Chinses friends who have never been to the USA before, I strongly recommend you to take a rotation here.
Hello Dr. Jaddou,
Thank you for the opportunity to do orientation at your clinics in both Troy and Sterling Heights today. I enjoyed working with you, Dr. Madhuri, and the staff today. It was very nice. The way medicine is practiced in the US is quite different from that in China. I thank you a lot for letting me have the experience.
I also want to thank you for your teaching and reminders, which will help me become a better doctor in American clinical settings. I am very eager to learn both medical knowledge and interpersonal skills between patients and doctors.
Thank you very much, Dr. Jaddou! I really respect and admire you as a great doctor and a great person! Best regards,
Hi, Dr. Jaddou! How are you? Hope everything is great!
I passed my CS exam! I am very happy, I got high performance in all categories (Integrated Clinical Encounter, Communication and Interpersonal Skills and Spoken English Proficiency). I have already started my studies for Step 3, in order to apply for residency with its score. Any news about the article?
Our Reviews
Text from former extern received 8/31/17: Hi Dr Jaddou. This is ...... I just wanted to share with you that I got a family medicine resident position with DMC family medicine...post-graduation of my MPH. I am super thrilled this opportunity has finally come. Just wanted to thank you for all your guidance and support and for allowing me to build my confidence as an aspiring physician.
"You made us feel like family"
Hello Dr. Jaddou,
My friend and I are interested to take an externship in your program.
Unfortunately,we were unaware of the importance of the USCE and after research, we decided that the best option is your program (in all aspects). This will help us to understand better the American Healthcare system and also will boost our chances to apply and get a residency in this match, 2018.
Dear Dr. Jaddou,
I hope you and your wife are doing well. I am finishing my externship with medclerkships in NY this week and I have to say you made us feel like family when we were in Michigan. That is something NY was lacking. I have your externship highly recommended and hope you see a student very soon who says ------- sent us. Thank you for the conference, it was a new and different experience. Will keep you posted on how my application season is going.
Hi Dr. Jaddou,
I just found out that I matched at my #1 choice,……. University. I am so grateful to all who helped me along the way, especially you! Overall, I had 19 interview offers and attended 18. I made sure to make the experience in your office one of my main talking points. Please share the news with Sandy! I hope you are both well!
Boost your score on Step 3:
Just checking in and wanted you to know that I did step 3 already. Day 1 was brutal. Day 2 was better. Thank you for the help! I really appreciated it. I came in more prepared for day 1. Also, Some questions were actually related to the lectures you gave us
Regards to you and the SFM TEAM! Sincerely,
Happy Easter to you and your blessed family! I would like to let you know that I matched this residency cycle into a Transitional Year program in Georgia, and I will apply again next cycle for an Internal medicine and Family medicine programs...Let's hope I get a better chance in the next residency cycle! I truly appreciate your help, medical career guidance, and time.
Gone Unmatched!
I am a Caribbean medical graduate - earned my MD from St. Georges had applied to Internal Medicine and remained unmatched, seemingly due to average scores on USMLE. My mentors, program directors, forums, and my family and friends have suggested to me to find some sort of clinical externship in Family Medicine that I could do before the next round of residency applications where I would also apply to both Family Medicine in addition to Internal Medicine. I came across your website searching on the web and also from the reviews on the USMLE forums.
Outpatient Somerset Family Medicine, SFM rotation
with Dr. Neil Jaddou, in Michigan
One LOR, one preceptor.
LOR has university and 4 hospital logos because Dr. Jaddou has professorship appointment to 2 medical schools and is a staff at 3 hospitals: Henry Ford, DMC, and Beaumont
According to The IMG’s Guide to Finding U.S. Clinical Experience KAPLAN TEST PREP
"2. Go the direct route with direct placement clinics"
Other comments from the forums:
USCE is not an absolute requirement for residency, although it markedly increases your chances. However, good scores alone aren't enough. Your scores are impressive but don't be fooled into thinking the higher the score it compensates for something. Complete your research project, publish something, get some USCE and you should be competitive enough. Why hamper these awesome, stellar scores with lack of USCE?
Dear Dr. Jaddou,
I didn't match to a pathology position during the main match but I was accepted to one during SOAP! I really believe your LOR helped them a lot in their decision (they even discussed it during the phone interview). Thank you so much for all the help.
Hello Somerset,
I am happy to write to you that I am invited to an interview at .....I am excited and nervous at the same time. I just would like to thank you once again as I strongly believe I was invited because of your externship.
Hi Doc,
I received my first interview invitation this morning. Guess where? ...... I am so excited!!!! Thank you again for the LOR.
Our American Externship program sent our externs to this conference
A Wonderful Doctor & a Friend
On Sunday, June 24, 2018, wrote:
Dear Dr. Jaddou! It's been a while since I've kept you updated.
(You can add this part to your website if you want): I got into residency, and I start this year! I want to thank you for creating your program! Although I only participated in your externship for 2 months over a year ago (June/July 2016), I recollect my experience with fondness. Your program allowed me to learn a lot by observing the good doctor (you). I participated in other externships, but none compare to the quality that you provide for the participating extern. You provided me with an opportunity to exhibit my leadership potential (when going to the Family Medicine National Conference in July 2016 and during the externship as Chief Resident). I'm thankful for your lectures, quizzes, and expectations-- all aspects that helped me understand self-discipline and responsibility. I continue to recommend your program to others and will continue to speak highly of my experience.
“Very busy, interesting, and productive 6 weeks-that is how I can describe my experience in Somerset Family Medicine, SFM, SFM clinic. Dr. Jaddou is highly experienced as a family physician. His experience and his love to teach makes for a great environment for an externship. His enthusiastic approach to his patients and his profession is a great example for future physicians.
More Reviews
"Somerset Family Medicine, SFM gives you a thorough insight into US medical system. SFM staff are kind. Dr.Neil Jaddou is a man of principles yet balanced and open-minded, courteous with patients, tactful with staff, and canny in discharging the standard the care. You interact with a couple of other externs and nurse practitioners students, it is like a real residency program"
"Alaa Toma, Baghdad, Iraq"
"The Best Experience in My Life"
"It turned out to be one of the best experiences in my life. Dr. Jaddou was not only closely observing me, but he was also very keen on teaching."
"Remon Assaad, M.D. Alexandria, Egypt"
Excerpts From USMLE-FORUM and USMLE FORU "I just finished my one-month externship at Somerset Externship and wanted to write a little bit about my experience there. I am a graduate from India and am staying in USA for almost a year. I was looking for something that could give me the experience needed before residency and even for all the USMLEs. You get a thorough insight into the US medical system. "The staff are kind and confident; they will walk you through their system and teach you."
"Dr. Jaddou provided me with hands-on experience in taking histories and examining the patients before presenting them to him." I was exposed to all types of patients. Everyone at the clinic was very friendly and helpful. Overall, I would say that it was an excellent experience for me, and I would recommend it to anyone."
from usmleforum.com
#3104890 dr_monu-07/03/14 12:30 @strugle- So after going unmatched after this last season, I looked at my CV and decided that I needed to upgrade it with some recent clinical-type experience. Now obviously the BEST experience would be to do an externship or even observe in an inpatient Hospital setting, especially if it had a residency program within, there is no denying that. I personally decided that, while I have applied to an externship program that is local to my area (the DMV), I would use one of these paid externship programs. Americlerkships, Medclerkships, FMGaffordable, Dr. Jaddou's, etc. I chose Dr. Jaddou's simply because I recognized one of his externs on the website from one of my interviews. Yeah, it's a pretty lame reason, but that's what it was—the picture on the website was of an actual person I had briefly met, and so I took a chance. While there, I met other externs who had personal experiences with the other paid programs as well. I'm happy with my experience at Somerset, and having taken the advice of other externs, I am looking to join another paid externship as well. So strugle basically if you need USCE then take a chance on something and go get it, sitting on this forum talking about legality, overrated, underrated, your just playin yourself bud.
"Dr. J," as I called him, taught us the pearls of family practice, such as common medical problems and the best treatment options. I am thankful to Dr. Jaddou for stimulating my clinical knowledge and strengthening my confidence. My exposure to his externship did not only gain me skills and knowledge but also camaraderie with other medical externs, staff, and NPs. I highly recommend this externship program for the best experience and best price! If you have any questions, PM me. I hope this helps, especially for those IMGs who need clinical exposure for the match. "Good luck! ;)."
Kavya Kannamma
USMLE Forums Newbie
Steps History: 1+CK+CS Posts: 2 Threads: 0 Thanks 8 Times in 1 Post Reputation: 18
Dr. Jaddou clinic review
Hello Friends,
I have been through most of the paid externship programs, and I personally feel Somerset Family Medicine, SFM (Dr. Neil Jaddou's Clinic) was the best of all. After applying for their Externship, I was skeptical as any one would be but by Day 2, I figured out my next one month is gonna be memorable. In a week, you would become dexterous in taking EKGs, UAs, pap smears, CXRs, PFTs, PPDs, and vaccination techniques. You will be given the freedom of taking a complete history and physical examination and coming up with a differential diagnosis and treatment plan. I did my Step 2 CK before my externship, which I should say was extremely helpful in formulating your DDs, but even otherwise, Dr. Jaddou will take classes on common ailments, and with the variety of patients you see per day, I can assure you can ace your Step 2 CK and CS, and even Step 1. I scored 243 in Step 2 CK (before externship) and 251 in Step 1 (after externship). If you are interested, you will be welcome to write articles, give mini lectures to your fellow externs and NPs, and attend conferences. I am not sure if other programs gives you a customized LOR but I have heard from my colleagues that he gives a fantastic LOR mentioning whatever you did under his scrutiny( I have waived my right and I am applying this year). Good luck to everyone in all your future endeavors!
The Importance of Vitamin D
By: Dr. Robert Verghese and Dr. Neil Jaddou
In Michigan, being indoors for most of the year exposes us to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is known as “that vitamin we get from the sun." A deficiency of vitamin D can affect people of all ages. Recent medical studies are also showing the growing importance of this often deficient nutrient.
Vitamin D is essential to our bodies because it assists in the uptake of calcium from our diet through the intestines. Calcium and vitamin D are needed to keep our bones strong and healthy so that we have more energy and less pain. We produce vitamin D mainly through the skin when it contacts sunlight. Also fortified milk whether regular, low fat, or skim milk contains a similar amount of vitamin D. Other vitamin D sources include eggs, cheese, yogurt, salmon, and tuna.
When a patient is experiencing vitamin D deficiency he or she may not have symptoms. However, some patients may experience fatigue, muscle pain, bone pain (such as back pain), hair loss or thinning, and depression. Vitamin D levels can be checked with a simple blood test. Chronic cases of vitamin D and calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis.
So how do we end up being vitamin D deficient? Although many medical problems can cause a deficiency, the main problem is that patients are unable to get enough sunlight. However, do not overexpose yourself to the sun because dietary supplementation can work just as well. Dietary reasons and problems with your intestines can also lead to a deficiency. If you are a vegan, you may be more prone to vitamin D deficiency because of your diet's lack of intake. The intestines are where most of our vitamin D is absorbed and transported throughout the body. If you have a chronic disease that affects your intestines (such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease) or have had any major surgery on your bowel, this can also affect the levels of vitamin D in your body negatively. Obesity has also been associated with vitamin D deficiency.
To combat vitamin D deficiency, all that is required is to get the proper amount of sunlight and supplement your diet with vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy products and fish. The recommended dietary allowances for vitamin D are 400–600 IU per day. Taking about 2000 IU of Vitamin D a day may be enough to treat your deficiency. We sometimes give a prescription of 50,000 IU, one pill a week for the first three months, to get a head start.
Vitamin D in modern medicine is turning out to have a much bigger impact than first thought. Studies on vitamin D’s effects on diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and cancer are still ongoing, but vitamin D deficiency should not be ignored, and more benefits of this vitamin are being discovered every day.
Dr. Robert Verghese is a medical extern at Dr. Jaddou’s office.