with studying for the u.s. medical boards at night. >> it requires that you study at least ten hours a day. imagine you're working eight to ten hours a day and then try to study eight to ten hours at night. it's really impossible. >> all residents are required to submit a personal statement. >> reporter: it's a costly, time consuming process that most latino immigrants aren't prepared for. >> one of the things i want to help you avoid is to help you -- >> reporter: ucla's img program helps fast track these doctors to practice medicine again. >> hi, everybody. >> reporter: it provides a stipend as well as medical board prep classes and mentoring by ucla physicians. >> when i got accepted i was able to stop construction and focus on my exam. that gave me the opportunity to take the test. six months after joining the ucla program. >> reporter: they've helped 66 latino immigrant doctors including chavez pass the u.s. medical boards and then get placed into residency programs in southern california. there's a desperate need there.