Dr. Abdi first moved to Minnesota as a teenager and went abroad for medical school, graduating from Windsor University School of Medicine in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2023. After graduation, he returned to Minnesota to prepare for United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE). The USMLE has three examinations called “steps”. Examinees who pass each step of the USMLE have demonstrated they understand and can apply medical knowledge, clinical concepts and fundamental patient-centered skills to obtain a license to practice medicine in the United States.
That’s where the Internationally Trained Professionals Grant Program at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) came in. This program, which is now closed, was developed to assist internationally trained healthcare professionals in obtaining the licensure to do the same or similar work in Minnesota. DEED awarded a $293,698 grant to the Somali Medical Association of America (SMAA) in 2021 to help support internationally trained professionals seeking medical licensure in the U.S. This support helped internationally trained professionals like Dr. Abdi focus on successfully passing exams and obtaining licensure in Minnesota.
Here’s Dr. Abdi’s story, in his own words:
“My name is Dr. Jibril Abdi, a medical graduate from Windsor who is now proudly rooted in Minnesota. My passion for serving my community and humanity began early in life, and it guided every step of my path into medicine. After completing medical school, I came to Minnesota with a simple but powerful hope—to continue my medical career and fulfill my dream of making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
“Like many international medical graduates, I soon discovered that the journey toward U.S. medical licensure is long, demanding, and often filled with uncertainty. While preparing for the USMLE exams, I worked temporary jobs to support myself and stay afloat. During this challenging period, I was introduced to the SMAA, and that connection became a turning point in my journey.
“I became part of the team that helped establish the SMAA Mini Library, a space that quickly grew into a vital hub for IMGs across Minnesota. It became more than a study space— it became a community. A place where people shared knowledge, encouraged one another, and found the strength to keep going. For many, including myself, SMAA became a lifeline at a time when giving up felt close.
“With persistence, hard work, and the encouragement of this community, I successfully completed all my USMLE steps and became certified.
“Applying to residency brought its own set of challenges—financial, emotional, and logistical. Thanks to the support of the SMAA grant from DEED, I was able to apply broadly across Minnesota and secure multiple interviews, opening doors that would have otherwise remained closed.
“I am proud to share that I matched into residency program of my choice and I am currently continuing my training at the Mayo Clinic, where I will be graduating in just a few months. Each step brings me closer to my lifelong goal: serving and giving back to the most underserved communities in Minnesota.
“I deeply commend SMAA for the transformative work it is doing for the internally trained medical graduate fraternity. The organization’s support is not only impactful—it is life-changing. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to this mission and helped countless internationally trained medical graduates, including myself, continue our journey with hope and purpose.”
