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Weill-Cornell Medical Center: Joachim’s Participant Testimonial

Weill-Cornell Medical Center in New York City is one of the most respected biomedical research institutes and medical schools in the United States and worldwide. The medical center is not only dedicated to excellence in education, research, and patient care, but it is also committed to its employees’ success and future, which led them to partner with New American Workforce in 2015. Through this partnership, Weill-Cornell Medical Center has assisted its eligible immigrant employees with the citizenship process to promote the full participation of its employees in the workplace, community, and our economy.

One Weill-Cornell Medical Center employee, Dr. Joachim Benitez, moved from the Philippines to the U.S. 13 years ago for his medical residency. He successfully completed his training and has been working as a psychiatrist at Weill-Cornell Medical Center for the past seven years. After having a green card for five years, he became eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. However, as a full-time medical doctor with a family, he struggled to find the time to apply. Fortunately, he was able to take advantage of Weill-Cornell Medical Center’s partnership with New American Workforce and was able to apply for citizenship right at his worksite.

During the citizenship process, he worked one-on-one with a legal representative from one of our local service provider partners, the International Rescue Committee, to complete his application. He appreciated how much he learned about citizenship requirements and how to manage important legal materials. Recalling his experience attending the application workshops, he said,

“What Weill-Cornell Medical Center and New American Workforce provided was helpful, and it will help other colleagues who are confused about their status and the citizenship application. I really enjoyed the process and am still grateful for what I was able to receive and learn.”

It is exciting to say that Dr. Benitez successfully submitted his citizenship application on January 12, 2016 and is now a United States citizen. Since his naturalization, he has been able to more fully participate at work and contribute to his community.

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