The AMSA ARC/UC Davis Health System Department of Surgery Pre-Medical Surgery Intern Program is a unique opportunity for pre-medical students to shadow faculty, residents, interns, and medical students in the nationally recognized UC Davis Health System Department of Surgery.

Setting

The site for the program is the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA.  This 650-bed hospital is the major teaching affiliate for the UC Davis School of Medicine. The Hospital serves an area of tremendous diversity in both cultural and socioeconomic background. It is a Level 1 Trauma Center, the only Burn Center in Northern California, the only Children’s hospital in Northern California, the only Transplant Center in Northern California, and the only such institution in inland Northern California.  It is one of the five busiest trauma centers in the country and has been featured in multiple television programs.

The concept of service to those most in need underpins the teaching activities in our setting.

The Department of Surgery consists of the below surgical subspecialties: Trauma & Emergency Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics Surgery, General Surgery, Burn Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Otolaryngology Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Urological Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Vascular Surgery.

Details

This is NOT a volunteering program. This is a mentorship program where you will be interacting with physicians in the department of surgery. You will be working with them in every step of the way throughout their work: from seeing patients in the intensive care unit, to pre-operative, to bedside, trauma bay, operating room, clinics, and rounds. You will experience what surgeons and physicians do every. You will be part of their team and treated as such. This program is under the supervision and guidelines set forth by the Chairman of Surgery at UC Davis Health System.

This is a very unique opportunity, and maturity, ability to follow directions, being attentive and being an adult is imperative. This is a fast paced area where a lot happens, and life and death is on the line. Professionalism and maturity is a MUST. If you feel that you are not cap able of the before mentioned, please do not apply.

The surgeons are volunteering and enthusiastic about having you come, since all of them have been in the same position you are, so please be respectful to them at all times and honor them.

Instead of watching Grey’s Anatomy be part of real Surgery!

Interns' Testimonials

"I commuted ~230 miles per shift as a Pre-medical Surgical Intern, the experience was worth every mile." -- James Wang

"There is simply no equal substitute for the level of access, exposure, and perspective gained from the Pre-Medical Surgical Program." -- James Wang

"This was by far the best hospital experience I've had to date. I'm excited to have it on my application!"

"Prior to this experience I really had no idea what was required of a doctor after med school. This internship has given me insight into the day to day excitement and challenges that a surgeon faces. I have seen some incredible things and now I know that I have alot to look forward to! " -- Charlene Pfeiffer

"The first time I was in the operating room and changed into scrubs I felt like I was part of the surgical team. I could imagine myself with a scalpel. Just being the operating room gave me the most exhilarating feeling" -- Alexandra Monrroy

"Being a part of the Pre-Med Surgery Internship program at UCD Med Center was an enriching experience. I learned so much about the practice of medicine and am even more excited about my future in medicine!" -- Courtney Frost

"I spent a year volunteering in a hospital ER and maybe spoke to one physician for a total of 10 minutes. As a pre-med surgical intern, in my first 10 minutes, I met and spoke to 15 physicians" -- Mattew Paranial

"All the physicians treat you like you are part of their team. We get to go every where, see everything, and learn a great deal"

"I am amazed in the time and efforts the surgeons take to explain procedures and what is going on. They also genuinely care in my future success. This is truly a life changing experience."

"The application, interview, and selection process was long and hard, but in my first 5 minutes at the hospital made it seem like nothing. I would go through it 100 times more to just experience what I have experienced."

"This is the single most important thing I have done in my entire pre-med journey."

"I have seen my future in medicine, and my future looks great!"

Summer/Fall 2010 Session

During this application cycle, candidates for both the Summer 2010 and Fall 2010 sessions will be selected. However, you can only participate in one session. For example, those selected for Summer 2010, cannot participate in the Fall 2010 session and vice versa. Be sure to select all sessions that you are available to participate.

Please Note: There have been some improvements made to the selection process and criteria. If you have applied in the past, make sure you review the new guidelines.

Time Commitment

The Summer session has an anticipated start date of July 7, 2010 and set to end on September 19, 2010. The Fall session has an anticipated start date of September 20, 2010 and set to end on December 19, 2010. You are anticipated to participate the entire time.

The shifts are 7 hours minimum each day, 1 day per week minimum.  You are free to stay more than the 7 hours of the day of your shift if there is an interesting case, or you are in the operating room, but you only receive credit for that day. If there are more shifts available during the week, then you can sign up for them. You have the ability to pick your own schedule one month in advance, so it can easily work around your schedule, since the hospital is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

The shifts are 7-days a week (including holidays) and consist of: 6am-1pm, 12pm-7pm, 7pm-2am.

You will be assigned to one physician in the department of surgery for the shift and be assigned to specific subspecialty. The purpose is so that the faculty knows that you are coming that day, and they may place you in one subspecialty that will be busy that day, or has more operation cases. We ask that you remaining flexible and follow their instructions. Their goal is to give you the best experience and learning when you are there, and since they have been doing this for a while, they know where the action is.

We also limit the number of pre-med students that can be there, so please consider that you may not be able to only receive your shift on Saturdays or Sundays, but also during the week as well.

Please Note: Once you have selected your shift, you cannot contact us and request to change. Also, you will not be permitted to switch your shift with another student without the authorization of the coordinator(s).

Mandatory Program Meetings and Deadlines

The dates below are mandatory during your session. Absences will not be accepted!

Deadline for Application and Letters of Recommendation: Sunday May 23, 2010 at 11:59pm.

Interview: June 10-13, 2010 (you select your time during this period).

Summer 2010:

• Program Length: July 7, 2010 to Sept. 19, 2010.
• Surgery Academy (2 days): June 26-27, 2010, 8am-6pm.
• Hospital Orientation: July 6, 2010, 3pm-5pm.
• Presentation Day: Sept 18, 2010, 9am-3pm.
• Workshops: July 17, July 31, 9am-11:15am; August 14, August 28 9am-11:15am; Sept. 11.

Fall 2010:

• Program Length: Sept. 20, 2010 to Dec.19, 2010.
• Surgery Academy (2 days): Sept. 11-12, 2010, 8am-6pm.
• Hospital Orientation: August 31, 2010, 3pm-5pm.
• Presentation Day: Dec. 20, 2010, 9am-3pm.
• Workshops: Oct 2, Oct 23, 9am-11:15am; Nov. 6, Nov. 20, 9am-11:15am; Dec. 4, 9am-11:15am.

Download Important Files

Application Packet: MS Word, PDF

Letter of Recommendation Instructions: MS Word, PDF

How to Apply

Apply Online Now!

Got Questions?

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