Possible Observerships at Univ. Florida

If my intent on this blog is to throw light on USCE possibilities and avenues for ya'll to follow-through, then I must back that with a disclaimer that in case it does not work out - "Like I said - This is a good possibility" ;-)

I might have mentioned this already, but you gotta understand that most observerships that IMGs are not formal departmental programs. Additionally, even though a website or a program coordinator emails you saying that we do not do observerships, if you make contact with a physician faculty on whatever pretext and then he /she does agrees on letting you observe , then the 'observership' will occur even if the department does not formally encourage it.

Anyways, when I see a Univ. Florida webpage declaring a formal procedure for visitors interesting in shadowing physicians (observing, that is), I would think it's a pretty good chance that you might.

The webpage itself was last updated in 2005, but its worth digging more into. Here's what it says:

"For any visitor who wishes to shadow a physician/clinical staff member and observe patient care at the University of Florida Health Science Center and/or Shands HealthCare at UF, the following must be done PRIOR TO THE VISIT:"

Read More here

OKLAHOMA (OK)

EXTERNSHIPS


Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA)

Specialties: Various - Family medicine, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology etc.
Application: To Apply, You must procure an Application Form from OSMA - call 405-843-9571 OR 800-522-9452 and inquire about the application forms. Usually, they will email the forms to you. I secured the forms from a pal - Download sample OSMA externship form Here. Use this downloaded form only as reference, You should communicated with them directly for the form - also try emailing Linda at mcdonald@osmaonline.org, for the forms, as long as she is working for the OSMA ;-) Click here for OSMA Externship Program Website Link
Duration: "The Extern will be allowed to have four (3 week) rotations with a sponsor in different specialties. Upon completion of the Externship rotations (twelve weeks), the IMG Council of the OSMA (upon receipt of letters from sponsor physicians) will give a letter and certificate of completion to the Extern indicating the number of weeks as well as physicians and their medical specialties"
Cost: This Externship Is Free, but IMGs must take care of their own living expenses


Notes:

1. The OSMA Externship program closes from time to time, depending on the applicant volume, but reopens again - so keep a look out on their website Here for the notices.
2. They call it an 'externship', but works like an observership, since IMGs are not allowed any patient contact. Well, if the certificate from the OSMA says 'externship', I would not be wrong to call it an 'externship' when I fill in the ERAS application form for residency applications, would I ? ;-)
3. This one is from a State Medical Association, which means, its prestigious !


OBSERVERSHIPS


United Regional Health Care Center, Wichita Falls
Specialty: Family Practice
Cost: 300$ per Month
(This information awaits being verified)
Contacts Page

COLORADO (CO)

EXTERNSHIP


University of Colorado Health Science Center
Specialty: Anesthesia / Anesthesiology
Contact Information


Health South Rehab Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: (719) 630-8000
This is "circumstantial evidence" - An IMG resident profile listed on Eastern Virginia Medicine School FP resident program says she did a 2-year Internal Medicine hands-on externship at this facility - besides a Family Medicine Observership at Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation - I leave it to you to call up the place and find out :-)