Rural Summer Internship in Medicine

The Summer Internship in Medicine (SIM) is an elective rural clinical experience for students between their first and second year of medical school. Offered through the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, the program gives Duluth, St. Cloud, and Twin Cities students the opportunity to live and learn in a rural community while experiencing the day‑to‑day work of rural health professionals.

During their placement, students participate in clinical and hospital medicine, interprofessional patient care, community health system activities, and a variety of community‑based experiences. The SIM experience is two weeks, and extended experiences may be available depending on availability.

SIM helps students build clinical confidence, deepen their understanding of rural practice, support career exploration, and strengthen pathways for future rural workforce recruitment.

2026 Dates:

• Information Sessions:
  • Summer Opportunities Session for MS1s - Wednesday, January 14, 2026, on Zoom, starting at 3:30 PM
  • Summer Internship in Medicine Info Lunch Session across all three campuses - Thursday, January 22, 2026, 12:10 - 1:00 PM
    • Duluth (SMed 142)
    • St. Cloud (Rm 1040)
    • Twin Cities (PWB 3-150/3-152)
• Application Period: February 9, 2026 - February 27, 2026 (Students who apply after February 27 will be placed after all applicants who submitted within the initial application period)
• Student Site placement Announced by April 10, 2026
• SIM Program Timeframe: 2-week Blocks, June 29 - August 23, 2026
  • Block 1: June 29 to July 10, 2026
  • Block 2: July 6 to July 17, 2026
  • Block 3: July 13 to July 24, 2026
  • Block 4: July 20 to July 31, 2026
  • Block 5: July 27 to August 7, 2026
  • Block 6: August 3 to August 14, 2026
  • Block 7: August 10 to August 21, 2026
• 1 Week After your SIM Experience: All Required SIM Assignments are due
• Debrief: August/September 2026 (exact date TBD)