“I took a risk. I took a chance.”
This is how Amit Namshikar begins his U.S. healthcare career story. It’s a journey filled with courage and determination, but most of all love and devotion for his family. A registered nurse from India, Amit came to the United States with more than just the goal to work; he came to save his young son’s life.
A Father’s Mission
Every parent dreams of a healthy child, and when that child is facing a serious medical challenge, a parent will do whatever it takes to help. For Amit, that moment came when his son Kiann was diagnosed with a rare medical condition at just four and a half years old. Gene therapy offered hope, but it wasn’t available in India. It was, however, accessible in the United States, reigniting Amit’s efforts to get his visa.
Although Amit had passed the NCLEX in 2009, he wouldn’t start his U.S. healthcare journey until a decade later. After a slow start with another agency, he finally gained momentum with MedPro. A seasoned nurse with ten years of experience at a government hospital in India, he focused on getting to the States, securing insurance, and finding treatment for Kiann. It wasn’t easy. COVID-19 delayed the process, and Amit faced challenges with documentation and preparation. But MedPro guided him every step of the way from his immigration paperwork to IELTS preparation, licensing, and relocation.
When Amit arrived in Sunrise, Florida, in August 2023, he immediately began training through MedProU, where he received hands-on experience with clinical simulations, essential BLS and ACLS certifications, and even help getting a driver’s license. Three months later, he had not only settled into his new role at Jackson Memorial Hospital but also brought his family, wife Arti, and sons Kiann and Rudra, to South Florida. Thanks to MedPro’s support and network of resources, Kiann was able to see a specialist and receive the life-changing gene therapy he so desperately needed. The treatment, which carried a price tag of over $3 million, became possible through insurance coverage Amit received as part of his MedPro benefits. Even a vital steroid prescription, priced at an overwhelming $22,000, dropped to just $80 a month, making what once seemed impossible achievable.
Today, Kiann is showing incredible improvement. “He’s standing, walking, gaining strength,” Amit says. “We’re still doing therapy, but we’re hopeful.” His other son, Rudra, is receiving speech therapy. The entire family now has access to care that would have been unthinkable just two years ago.
Jackson Memorial
Amit works night shifts in the cardiac telemetry unit at Jackson Memorial, caring for 36 patients alongside a team of nine nurses. His schedule allows him to take his son to the doctor during the day. He loves bedside nursing, and despite initially lacking experience in digital charting, he now audits his colleagues’ charts weekly to ensure accuracy. He’s proud of the work he does, and it shows. “I don’t want to be in administration,” he said. “I love taking care of patients. That’s my calling.”
Even language barriers haven’t slowed him down. Though he doesn’t speak Creole or Spanish, common languages in Miami, Amit collaborates with colleagues to make sure nothing gets lost in translation. “We’re like a family,” he says. “Everyone helps each other.”
One of the most meaningful parts of Amit’s journey has been the support he’s received from his MedPro Employee Relationship Manager (ERM) Theresa Stanish. “Theresa is like my Google, my encyclopedia.” From sorting out insurance and pay questions to helping with flights for his mother-in-law, Theresa has been a constant source of support. “MedPro doesn’t just drop you after deployment,” Amit says. “They stay with you, help you adjust, and make sure you succeed.”
Advice to Future Explorers
To other international healthcare workers considering a career in the US, Amit offers some advice. “Don’t overthink it. MedPro will take care of you. They prepare you, train you, guide you. They give you food when you arrive, help with your license, your insurance, everything.”
He also stressed the importance of loyalty and gratitude. “MedPro gave me this life. They kept every promise. So I will stay faithful. I’ve only worked in two hospitals my whole life. When someone invests in you, you give your best.”
Outside of work, Amit and his family are enjoying the small joys of their new life in America: trips to Walmart and Costco, visits to temples and churches, afternoons at Chuck E. Cheese. Every moment is a celebration of a second chance, thanks to Amit’s determination and MedPro’s support.
“I can’t describe it,” Amit said. “It’s a feeling. MedPro changed my life. They gave my son a future.” Amit’s journey isn’t just one father’s triumph; it’s an example of what foreign-educated healthcare professionals can achieve with MedPro International’s help.