Free List of Hospitals Offering USCE - Observerships, Clerkships, Electives, Externships, Mini-Residency and direct research / clinical fellowships
USCE (US Clinical Experience) is a great value addition to International Medical Graduates seeking Residency in the United States!
From August 2010, the Association of Chinese American Physicians intends to start an Internal Medicine observership programs at New York Hospital of Queens, Flushing, for ACAP members only.
ACAP Membership fees stack up like this: Full Member: $100.00 Student(CMG): $25.00 Associate : $50.00 Life Time Member: $1,000.00
Observership Details: Period: Two Weeks Timings: 7am to 6pm Requirements: Passing scores in USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, CV + Personal Statement
Read More Requirements& Application instructions Here
Thanks to a gracious reader who left me a comment to share with you all... TIPS SW stands for Texas Indo American Physician Society South West, which is one of the five chapters of the Texas Indo-American Physicians Society (TIPS), which is turn is affiliated to the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), about which I already covered on a previous post about IMG Physician organizations in USA.
Though this program is titled as an 'externship' it really is an observership in the way it works - implying no patient contact or hands-on experience....but if they officially allow you to call it an extership, that's what you can write up on your CAF ;-)
Lets go over the Details:
Duration: - Total 6 weeks, two rotations of 3 weeks each
Location: Non-Residency hospitals in San Antonio, TX
Specialty: - IM, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Family medicine
Criteria: Minimum 2-digit score of 78 on both USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
Application: - Click here to Apply online - Click here to download paper-format application
Fees: None mentioned, probably no fees, but you gotta take care of your own accomodation, travel, food, etc. etc.
Hmmm..2 IMGs per 6 weeks, which is about 17-18 IMGs per year....hurry !
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
University of Kentucky, Lexington Specialties: Internal Medicine Contacts Page (Try Contacting the Program Director and even the Individual Faculty Listed - some IMGs have been getting observerships here at this program)
University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-W) This externship is conducted at the attached Veteran Affairs Hospital (VA hospital) Specialty: Internal Medicine Contact: Internalmed-wichita@kumc.edu Application Requirements:
KUSM-W Internal Medicine Residency Program Attention: Externship 1010 North Kansas Wichita, KS 67214-3319
Note: - Many thanks to Padmaraj, MD of SVNGMC, (India) for this information - Each year, applications will be reviewed in January and July for externship positions in the Spring and Fall, respectively. - This is a prestigious Externship, and since it is in the VA hospital, it could give you the benefit of making contacts for possible J1-waiver jobs later on when you need one.
East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson City Specialty: Internal Medicine Apparently a friend heard that someone managed to get an externship there in 2006 - something for you fellas to dig in more about !
Bryn Mawr Hospital, PA Externship/observership + research in Cardiothoracic surg Starts: end of March 2009 Duration: 3 months to 6 months Contact: Pat Dorris (dorrispa@mlhs.org ) Attending:Robert S Boova M.D.[ System chief Cardio Thoracic surgery] Strong CT surgery experience in Bryn Mawr hospital, affiliated to Thomas Jefferson University.. Clinical research is strongly encouraged along with externship.
OBSERVERSHIPS
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Download Application Form [PDF] Specialty: Multiple (Pediatrics and Pediatric Sub-specialties)
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia "Drexel Medicine Physician Refresher Course" Specialties: Multiple Click Here for Application Information Steep Fees !
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Specialty: Critical Care Medicine / ICU Duration: 2 weeks to 2 Month along with additional option $200 Critical Care Medicine course (Which I highly recommend for your resume) Application Info
Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia Specialties: Internal Medicine (other may be possible) Internal Medicine Website (This information is unconfirmed word-of-mouth evidence)
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Specialties: Multiple Visa: They will determine the visa type you will be granted / eligible for (B1/ B2 / J1) Click here for Application Information
Notes: - Needs Passing USMLE Step 1 Score - Applications must reach at least 4 weeks before start date
EXTERNSHIPS
Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus Specialty: Pediatrics This could be a pot-shot, but I read this information from an IMG's resume posted online who was apparently working full time as an extern in this community hospital. This makes it worth a try - call (614) 445-5000 and ask to be transferred to the deparment of pediatrics
Huron Hospital Specialty: Internal Medicine Policy Statement: "The Internal Medicine Program offers externships, observerships to candidates meeting our minimum criteria, but it is not required to be a resident. We do not schedule externships in the months of June or July. Externships are for one month only and must be approved a minimum of three months prior to starting."
University of Cincinnati Academic Medical Center Specialty: E.N.T. (Otolaryngology) Note: According to their FAQs Link, "Application are considered on an individual basis by contacting Robert Keith, PhD, Director of Medical Education at robert.keith@uc.edu, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, PO Box 670528, Cincinnati OH 45267-0528."
OBSERVERSHIPS
Case Western Reserve University Specialty: Family Medicine (Only for candidates selected for Interview) Application Information
Cleveland Clinic Specialty: Clinical Neurophysiology + Epilepsy Observership Course Information Duration: 3 Months Notes: 1. Course if Free - But IMGs and International Medical Students must fund their own stay 2. Good for candidates interested in Neurology Residency !
Ohio State University College of Dentistry Specialty: Periodontology Application Information
Columbia University College of Physicians + Surgeons Only for students of these 23 Medical Schools around the world.
SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn Fee: $175 1st Elective : $100 per additional Elective Visas: Students are responsible for their own B1 visitors visa Duration: 12 Weeks Maximum Application Form & Instructions
Weill Cornell Medical College Specialty: Multiple Fees: 2000$ per month Application Information
EXTERNSHIPS
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY (Don't confuse this with the country Jamaica..LOL) Specialty: Psychiatry Duration: 5 Months Call: 718-291-0764 or See more Contacts Requirements: Must be ECFMG Certified, and have your own Visa / Green Card
Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Cabrini) Program Specialty: Psychiatry As their Residency Program Website Says: "We have in the past offered externships, but they are offered at the discretion of the Program Director.You may fax your resume and cover letter regarding externships to (212) 995-7031." Thus - its worth a try :-)
New York Medical College (Westchester Medical Center), Valhalla, NY Specialty:Psychiatry Duration: 8 Months ! Click Here for IMG externship selection & policies Click Here for IMG externship application form Email inquiries: wmcexternship@hotmail.com
North Short LIJ, Long Island Specialty: Psychiatry Externship for a Year Contact: Externship Coordinator at : 718-470-7992
OBSERVERSHIPS
Beth Israel Medical Center Specialty: Pain Medicine & Palliative Care Application Information
Hospital for Special Surgery Specialty: Radiology (For Current Radiologists) Fees:
New York University (NYU) Specialty: Dermatology Click Here: International Dermatology Observership Duration: 1 Month, 6 Months or 1 Year Fees: This is a very comprehensive Observership Program and carries a hefty Tution: 1 Month: $3000 6 Months: $15,000 12 Months: $30,000 "Participants in the Program will receive a certificate from the Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine verifying their observership as an International Dermatology observer."
New York University Medical Center Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery Visa: If you need a visa, the University does do a J-1 Visa for the Observership, though it may not be compulsorily be a J1 - in that event, I would recommend going with a Visitors or F1 visa instead. Application Form and Links
St. Lukes Roosevelt Medical Center
Specialty: Multiple
Application Information - Click Here or call Graduate Medical Edu. Office at (212)523-2154
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn Specialties: Internal Medicine (I know IMGs have done it in Internal Medicine - other specialties may be possible)
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics, Kansas City Specialty: Pediatrics Durations: 1 to 3 days only Application Information Notes: 1. This opportunity is open to IMGs, American medical students, and current Residents and Fellows. As mentioned on the minutes of the Aug 2007 Faculty Meeting,
"International Medical Graduate Observership Requests : CMH will only allow short term observerships (two to three days) for medical graduates. All observership requests must be approved by the GME. Please contact Kerrie Jordan or Ravi Kallur." - So call (816) 983-6487 and ask for these guys
2. This is for a very short period and i would not expect an LOR out of this - but who knows, during your mini-stay if you impress the physician and try to request a longer time....;-)
Saint Louis University Specialties: Multiple Note: I have heard of candidates land observerships by writing to faculty listed on their Individual departmental websites - Click Here for the list of their residencies and department links and then look up faculty in the department of your choice. Merely Writing to the Program director won't help - since administrative duties & headaches probably make the Program director more likely to say no - hence write to the faculty too. Agreed its based on chance - but a chance is a chance only if you take it ...
University Missouri Columbia Specialty: Pathology Click here for Faculty List : Get the name and Search their email address by plugging names here. Note: University Programs in Pathology highly value research and publications for accepting candidates for residencies - so research may help you more, but a short term observership is not bad on the resume
University of Missouri-Columbia Specialty: Nephrology (Internal Medicine) Note: Again this is based on evidence from friends - Write to Faculty (Included Program chair) listed on the Nephrology Website and take your chances :-)
This is what the Internal Medicine Department Manual Says about Observerships: "At this time we are no longer offering observerships. Due to the extreme high volume of applicants that have applied in the past, we are no longer able to accommodate any new observership opportunities. We wish you much success in your future endeavors. " = Which means - you gotta periodically check back with the site
University of Michigan, Ann Harbor Specialty: Ophthalmology (for IMGs pursuing PG in home-countries Visa Sponsored: J1 Visa Application Information
University of Maryland School of Medicine Specialties: Multiple :List Application Information Note:It is the policy of the University of Maryland School of Medicine to accept only fourth-year students for clinical experiences who are enrolled in accredited allopathic medical schools which are approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). We do, however, offer an exchange program with the University of Heidelberg and accept two students each year to study with us for six months. The students are selected by the Dean of Studies at Heidelberg
EXTERNSHIPS
Dr. Barry Mehta Specialties: Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Ob-Gyn Duration: Minimum 7-weeks tp get a Letter Of Recommendation. Schedule Cost: $4,400 for 7 weeks (Training + Staying) Call: 410-730-3961, 443-285-9563 (Mobile) Note: Interestingly, as a reader pointed out on the comments, the same Dr. Barry Mehta was found guilty of fraud and fined $250,000/- for robbing the state Medicaid program. He billed the state for clients that were never present as per this news here. However, the American Medical News also featured the Barry Mehta Externship program, Read the News article here. I was amused that they did not write about the fraud, the article was written by a student of the externship program anyways
Harbor Hospital, Baltimore Specialty: Internal medicine Contact Program Coordinator at:410-350-3565
ELECTIVES / CLERKSHIPS (3rd / 4th Year Medical Students)
Northwestern University: Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago Application Forms and Information Visa: Students need to come on their own Visitor's visas Fees: $1000 per rotation (Prestigious Medical School !)
Good Samaritan Hospital Dr. Rao K Batchu Charges 1000$ to 4000$ depending on length of Observership and Externship Call: 630 963 4990
Southern Illinois University Specialties: Multiple - Internal Medicine, Pediatrics Etc. Application: Though there is no formal program as such, individual faculty could arrange them as per this policy manual which says: "It is assumed that the availability of an observership is at the discretion of individual clinical departments based on that department’s availability of resources, and the existence of these guidelines is no obligation on the part of any clinical department to provide such an experience. Foreign medical schools must be recognized by the educational commission for foreign medical graduates.Any candidate accepted by a clinical department must be approved by that department’s chair, and notification of that acceptance must be given to St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center"
Providence Hospital, DC Specialty: Internal Medicine Cost: Don't have to pay anything - just work for them, they need people due to lack of enough staff (Understaffed hospitals normally offer Externships to get free-labor in high-patient load cities) Contact: Program Coordinator at : (202) 269-7747 Duration: 3 Months busy Externship for hands-on experience : Needs minimum 3 months for Requirements: ECFMG Certification | 'High' USMLE scores | 3 LORs | Copies of Medical Diploma + ECFMG Certificate | Resume Send materials by post to : Program Director (Internal Medicine Residency Program) Providence Hospital, 1150 Varnum Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017 - 2180
OBSERVERSHIPS
George Washington University Medical Center Specialties: Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Medicine and specialties, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Surgery Cost: $800 per week Application Info
Washington Hospital Center Specialties: Multiple As the website says: "Upon approval of the Hospital Center’s clinical department director, international physicians may participate in observerships to observe clinical activities and participate in academic discussions with Hospital Center physician colleagues." - Thus a start would to be contact faculty in various departments listed on their website
