Observers/Visiting Trainees

The Department of Pediatrics is committed to educating the next generation. In addition to the many educational programs sponsored by the department, various opportunities exist for visiting learners at all stages of education. Visit the opportunities below to learn more.

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High School - Medical Observer

Due to the highly competitive nature of opportunities for more advanced trainees and those in formal training programs, we are unable to coordinate shadowing and observation roles for high school students. Additionally, the pediatric population of patients encompasses the age group under 18 years of age and presents concerns for patient privacy. Please explore alternate opportunities below:

  • For those interested in learning more about medical school or a medical career, visit the Pre-Health Student Resource Center at the University of Minnesota.
  • For those in a search of a non-medical volunteer experience, please review the Volunteer Opportunities available in our hospital to see if volunteering is a fit for you.

Individual faculty may accept high school students on a limited basis. In these cases, the faculty member serves as the observer's sponsor, arranges the details of the observation experience, and ensures the observation agreement and other requirements are followed. For all observation experiences, the observer must be at least 16 years of age.

Undergraduate - Medical Observer

Due to the highly competitive nature of opportunities for more advanced trainees and those in formal training programs, we are unable to offer shadowing and observation programs for college underclassman. However, individual faculty may accept underclassman on a limited basis due to alumni connection, furthering of research, or student mentoring/advising relationships. In these cases, the faculty member serves as the observer's sponsor, arranges the details of the observation experience, and ensures the observation agreement and other requirements are followed.

UMMS Medical Students

The Department of Pediatrics accepts UMMS Medical Students on a select basis. If you are a UMMS Medical Student interested in an observer experience, please see the steps below:

1. Complete the Google Form
2. Once all required information is submitted you will receive an email (within 5 business days) that will include further logistics related to your experience.

Note: You are responsible for identifying a faculty supervisor and obtaining written approval from that supervisor for your experience.

Visiting Medical Students

The Department of Pediatrics accepts visiting medical students from domestic LCME-accredited medical schools and COCA-accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada on a select basis. International medical students may also be accepted if a formal agreement exists between their medical school and the University of Minnesota and they have met prerequisite coursework. Visiting medical students may apply for our year 3 and year 4 clerkships.

For more information on the application procedure please visit this page: Visiting Medical Students.

Diversity in Pediatrics Visiting Student Elective Award

For more information on this program, follow this link

Clinical Externships and Observerships

We are pleased to offer a select group of promising international medical graduate candidates 4-week clinical externships. A clinical externship allows candidates to examine patients, present on rounds, and interact with the electronic health record rather than observerships, which do not allow this interaction. 

Requirements for this opportunity include:

  • Have resided in Minnesota for at least two years by June 1, 2023
  • Now reside in Minnesota as US permanent residents or US Citizens
  • Must not be on a J1 or other ineligible visa type
  • Meet the International Medical Graduate applicant requirements for the Pediatric Residency Program, other than the clinical experience

To apply, submit standard application materials through ERAS to the Pediatric Residency Program and then email pedsres@umn.edu to inform them of your application.

Clinical externships are not otherwise offered. Additionally, due to the highly competitive nature of opportunities for those in formal training programs, we are unable to offer shadowing and observation programs. However, individual faculty may accept postgraduate trainees on an extremely limited basis due to alumni connection, research sponsorship, or mentoring/advising relationships. In these cases, the faculty member serves as the observer's sponsor, arranges the details of the observation experience, and ensures the observation agreement and other requirements are followed.

Medical School Policy

Note: Medical observership experiences do not meet the requirement of residency programs for clinical experience.

Medical Residents and Medical Fellows (Visiting)

The Department of Pediatrics accepts visiting residents and fellows in accredited programs in the United States and Canada on a select basis. Visiting resident and fellow experiences may not compromise the educational experience of the University of Minnesota medical students, residents, or fellows. Rotations are reviewed, approved/denied, and coordinated through the pediatric division in which the trainee is rotating; interested individuals are recommended to contact the division administrative contact/program coordinator (if noted) for rotation-specific guidelines.

Medical School Policy