The Visiting Clerkship Program sponsored by the SMHS Office of Diversity and Inclusion (VCP-ODI), in collaboration with the Medical Faculty Associates of the George Washington University, provides support for fourth-year medical students with an interest in health equity, diversity, and inclusion to participate in a variety of visiting clerkships. This opportunity intends to enhance students’ exposure to careers in academic medicine and to recruit students with a particular interest in the care of the under-served.
Eligibility
All fourth-year medical students in good standing at accredited US or Canadian medical schools.
- Students must have completed all core clerkships including Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Primary Care/Family Medicine.
- Students must have successfully passed USMLE Step 1.
- Must directly apply to one of the available clinical rotations prior to applying for VCP-ODI support.
Clerkship Details
- Clerkships are 4 weeks in duration and are completed based on the SMHS fourth year calendar, beginning in July and ending in December.
- Accepted students will receive a stipend of $1,000 towards travel and housing.
- Clerkships are available in the following specialties:
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine (August and September)
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Disease
- Nephrology
- Pulmonary
- Palliative Care
- Neurological Surgery
- Neurology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- VCP-ODI participants are assigned a specialty advisor and will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the program director during the 4-week clerkship.
- VCP-ODI students will be invited to participate in a student/faculty networking breakfast hosted by the SMHS Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
Application Process
The following steps must be completed prior to the desired rotation's start date. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Apply by April 15th for priority consideration.
1. VSLO Application
Beginning April 1st, please use Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) (formerly known as Visiting Student Application Service [VSAS]) to complete an application for your preferred visiting clerkship (among those listed above) and dates.
2. Personal Statement (once you have completed your VSLO application)
- Submit a one-page description of your interest in health equity, diversity, and inclusion and how you anticipate this experience may impact your career. Do not exceed 250 words.
- Email your statement to Ms. LaQuita Ross, SMHS Executive Coordinator for Curricular Affairs, at lbeale@gwu.edu. Use the subject line: "ODI Visiting Clerkship"
Please direct questions about the VCP-ODI to the SMHS Office of Diversity and Inclusion at smhsodi@gwu.edu.
