Dr. Henok Regassa

A good mentor can make a world of a difference in your USMLE journey. I learned this very soon after embarking on this track. As an IMG from Ethiopia, I had very little knowledge about the processes, high yielding content or how to synchronize studying with work, research, and social life.

My name is Henok Regassa. My USMLE journey started at the beginning of 2020. I successfully completed Step 1 and Step 2 CK in 2021 and Step 3 in 2022. I have a special interest in Biostatistics. I enjoy immersing myself in research and presentations. As such, I have had the pleasure of co- authoring as well as leading case reports, manuscripts, and abstracts.

I believe my vast experience in different clinical settings has immensely helped me in successfully completing my exams. My experience in a busy teaching hospital, as well as rural health centers, has sharpened my clinical skills and taught me to thrive in environments with high patient volumes presenting critical and complex medical conditions. These skills especially proved to be handy during my Step 3 examination. I highly recommend taking time to make sure you are comfortable with the concepts before rushing to the exams. For the first two Steps, the UWorld assessments are very predictive. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This path is not for those who give up easily, rather for those who stay committed to their goal. There will be days where you will feel like walking away from this journey, or days where you will feel like a failure. In those days, remember your “WHY?” Always surround yourself with a strong support system and never be afraid to ask for help. As physicians, we have one of the highest burnout rates. We are dedicated to helping others and more often than not we tend to forget about ourselves. Thus, I encourage you to make sure you have a dedicated time to look after yourself. Good luck and I look forward to your success!