Shadowing

Healthcare shadowing involves observing healthcare providers in their interactions with patients and other aspects of their jobs. Shadowing experiences can be short-term - even a day or half day - or more sustained. 

Applicants to medical and other health professions school must accrue numerous hands-on experiences related to healthcare, including clinical experience with patients (volunteer or paid) and shadowing. Health professions schools want you to road test the career before you apply to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

The Director of Academic Internships, in collaboration with the Center for Career & Professional Development, facilitates the:

ST. DAVID’S GEORGETOWN HOSPITAL SHADOWING PROGRAM

This opportunity consists of once a week shadowing for a 10-week rotational shadowing program each fall and spring semester. Shadowing students visit eight departments, including emergency (twice), endoscopy, laboratory/pathology, outpatient surgery, radiology, rehabilitation, surgery, women’s services and one additional week of the students’ choice. Students must have at least one semester of college courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 to apply. 

Four students are selected through a competitive application process each semester. Selected students must also register for a one-credit internship course, which includes supplemental activities such as creating a reflection poster, writing a reflection paper and submitting an updated resume which includes the student’s shadowing experience.

To apply

Information sessions and email publicity precede the opening of each term’s application process for the following term. 

Applications for Fall 2025 (shadow September - November) open February 28, 2025, and are due March 30, 2025.

Application form: Includes a well-developed essay (coming soon)

Recommendation forms from two recommenders: One recommender must be a science faculty member; one can be from anyone else who knows you well. You must send them the link to complete the form. (coming soon)

Resume: Submit to Mary Claire Angle at angle2@southwestern.edu. Visit our page on resume writing resources, samples and templates.

Unofficial transcript: Submit to Mary Claire Angle at angle2@southwestern.edu

future application cycle

Spring 2026 (shadow February - April)

• Info session September 2025
• Application opens September 2025
• Application due October 2025

HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK HOSPITAL SUMMER OBSERVATION PROGRAM

This program is an exclusive partnership for SU students to spend four weeks observing full time in a department of the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, a full-service, acute-care hospital serving Northwest Houston and surrounding communities. Participants benefit from exposure to the healthcare environment, gain insight into various healthcare roles, learn firsthand from experienced healthcare providers, build their network, and have the opportunity to discern their career choices. Available departments from which to select include Internal Medicine, Family Practice, OBGYN, Cardiology, Neurology, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and Outpatient Therapies.

Four students will be selected. Please note this opportunity is not funded and not eligible for the SU Funded Internship Program, so it may be most appropriate for students who have access to housing in the Houston area already.

to apply

Applications for Summer 2025 will open in Fall 2024.

In order to put your best self forward in the application, we recommend you work with the Center for Career & Professional Development to review your application materials. You can schedule an appointment here.

The following application materials were required for Summer 2024, though the application process may be amended for Summer 2025:

• Resume: Be sure to target your resume to highlight healthcare, science and helping skills. Visit the CCPD page on resume and cover letter writing resources, samples and templates.
• Cover letter: Be sure to address why you are interested in this opportunity and how it fits into your long-term plans. Also, be sure to note the hospital department (see above) in which you want to observe.
• Unofficial transcript: Download from Self-Service.

OTHER SHADOWING EXPERIENCES

In addition to this structured opportunity, the most likely source of a shadowing experience is a personal contact with a healthcare provider. Try to identify all of the health professionals you and your family see as patients, as well as any family members, family friends, etc. In addition, SU alumni working as healthcare providers are excellent resources. Use tools like PirateConnect and LinkedIn to research alumni contacts.

Internships

While most “internships” in medicine happen after you go to medical school, some opportunities exist for undergraduate students that are entitled “internship.

HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK HOSPITAL SUMMER INTERDISCIPLINARY HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

This program is an exclusive partnership for four SU students to spend eight weeks interning full time at the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, a full-service, acute-care hospital located at 18220 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX 77070 serving Northwest Houston and surrounding communities. Participants will be immersed in the daily operations of a hospital environment, gaining a holistic understanding of careers in healthcare and hospital management. The internship provides a career exploration opportunity offering hands-on experience in the healthcare environment, networking opportunities, and a chance to gain valuable insight and specific skills from the immersive rotations. As part of your program with Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, you will be going through the onboarding process with the Human Resources department. Additionally, your program will start with a three-day Houston Methodist orientation exposing you to full orientation all new Houston Methodist employees are exposed to. Other program elements include:

• Process improvement
• Strategic planning
• Quality and clinical research
• Spiritual care
• Orthopedics and sports medicine
• Center for innovation
• Patient experience

to apply

Applications for Summer 2025 will open in Fall 2024.

In order to put your best self forward in the application, we recommend you work with the Center for Career & Professional Development to review your application materials. You can schedule an appointment here.

The following application materials were required for Summer 2024, though the application process may be amended for Summer 2025:

• Resume: Be sure to target your resume to highlight healthcare, science and helping skills. Visit the CCPD page on resume and cover letter writing resources, samples and templates.
• Cover letter: Be sure to address why you are interested in this opportunity and how it fits into your long-term plans. 
• Unofficial transcript: Download from Self-Service.

QUALIFICATIONS

You at the time of the internship, you must be a rising junior or rising senior student at Southwestern University with:

• Strong academic performance and a genuine passion for the industry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with team members

SUMMER HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHPEP)

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer program for students to explore their interests in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more. The program takes place at 12 partner institutions across the country and offers students a chance to develop competencies for becoming successful applicants to health profession programs, plan academic journeys, get clinical exposure, and network. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and those with demonstrated interest in issues affecting underserved populations to prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. The SHPEP is a national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). 

Qualifications

• First-year or sophomore student at the time of application (no more than 60 college credits, not counting AP/IB, but including dual credit courses).
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• US citizen, permanent resident for DACA status

To apply

Applications open November 1 and all application materials are due on February 5 (11:59 p.m. EST). For more information and to apply, visit:

Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

OTHER INTERNSHIPS

Additional internship opportunities may exist at healthcare facilities, public health agencies, and health-related non-profits (e.g. American Cancer Society). A few examples include:

St. David’s Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit internship (Georgetown and Round Rock locations)

Texas Department of State Health Services

Williamson County and Cities Health District

Volunteering / Working

Volunteer or paid clinical experience in a healthcare setting is also required for competitive health professions schools applicants. 

Most hospitals, including the St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, have volunteer programs. Volunteers must usually commit to regular volunteering for a sustained time period (e.g. weekly for six months).

Earning a healthcare certification, such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), phlebotomist, and pharmacy technician, can give you the opportunity to earn clinical experience while also earning income. Conducting a search online for “Austin Certified Medical Assistant programs”, for example, can help you locate opportunities to get the training for these certifications. 

Visit HireSU and join the Health | Wellness | Life Science Career Community on PirateConnect to keep informed of additional opportunities.

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More information

Director of Academic Internships Mary Claire Angle, angle2@southwestern.edu

CCPD health professions advisor Alexandra Anderson, afca@southwestern.edu 

Faculty pre-med committee chair Dr. Maria Cuevas, cuevasm@southwestern.edu 

International student advisor Monya Lemery, lemerym@southwestern.edu (note: International Students must have approved CPT to participate in shadowing or internships)