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Summer Programs (An Overview)

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The summer between M1 and M2 year is both a time to relax and an opportunity to explore other areas of interest and professional development. First and foremost, do not let professional development and study prevent you from taking both a mental and physical break. M1 year is tough. Reward yourself when you can. The school of medicine offers several different programs of varying length to fit best with your summer plans. There are programs offered by WashU and SLU that you may also be interested in. Many of these programs take up a good chunk of your personal time, but most people supervising these programs are flexible and willing to work with your summer calendar. Just make sure that you are clear and up front about your plans. If you’re not a good match or your calendar does not work with a specific PI, supervisor, or preceptor, that it okay. Just open a dialogue with them and be honest about your expectations. Otherwise, try to enjoy the summer.

Shadowing/clinical

  1. The first program is the Department of Medicine Summer Externship in which 11 students will spend 4 weeks working with internal medicine doctors here at the University of Missouri. Students will get to experience a wide range of subspecialties and interests while forming bonds with potential mentors. Additionally, this externship pays $1,000 provided by the Department of Medicine.
  2. Second is the Rural Immersion program. Students will spend 6 weeks and earn $600 while traveling to rural clinics in Missouri to experience life with those docs. Many of the locations provide the students with room and board. All students will work on their skills with history taking and the physical exam. Additionally, there are extensions to the program for 4 and 6 weeks that will enrich each student’s experience (and there is a pay bump up to $2,100). 
  3. There are two Summer Clinical Experiences. Each of these experiences are 4 weeks long and pay $1,000 each. The Family Medicine Summer experience allows students to work with the Family and Community Medicine faculty at the University of Missouri while the Springfield Summer Clinical Experience allows students to work under a variety of physician-preceptors at two Level-1 hospital systems. This is also a good opportunity to explore Springfield before M3 year, if you end up being lotteried there. 

Research

  1. The Summer Research Fellowship is the most popular summer program at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Before applying to this program, the school will grant students access to RedCap so that they may see open research opportunities. Students will then reach out to PIs and apply to the program. Applications for the program usually go out in late November and are usually due in late February. Those who are admitted to the program spend 8 weeks working on a project (or more) within that PIs lab. They are also expected to attend weekly seminars and submit updates to the School of Medicine. After each update is submitted, a portion of the $2,000 stipend is released. The lab work is as varied as the researchers. Students participate in everything from patient recruitment and clinical trials to animal studies and wet-lab research. At the end, each fellow will present their research at the Medical Sciences Research Day later in the year.  
  2. Research fellowships at other institutions are also available, but they are not eligible for funding by the University of Missouri. These programs vary by institution, and we usually get emails for these opportunities throughout the year. 
    • Here are some outside fellowships that Mizzou students have participated in. Just google the name of the program and the website should pop up.
      • MAYO Summer Research Fellowship
        • Must be URM to be eligible 
        • Total stipend and benefits package of up to $6,180
      • VANDERBILT Medical Student Research Training Program
        • There are projects in kidney, GI, and diabetes.
        • The stipend was $4000 for 8 weeks in 2022.
      • WASHU TL1 Summer Program 
        • You will need to find a mentor in the fall/winter and come up with a project. It can be in any department.
        • The stipend was $4000 for 8 weeks in 2022.
      • WASHU Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology Summer Program 
        • This program is a bit more selective, but it is a wonderful opportunity if you are interested in radiology! 
        • The stipend was $7000 for 10 weeks in 2022
      • VARYING INSTITUTIONS Rehabilitation Research Experience for Medical Students
        • Great for interest in PM&R! It is hosted by the Association of Academic Physiatrists.
        • There is also a clinical externship from the same association on the website.
        • The site locations change each year but Mizzou has been a choice a few times. You rank your choices for where you want to be placed
        • The stipend was $4000 in 2022.

Other

  1. The High School Mini Medical School Facilitatory is a $2,000 paying gig where students will work with pre-med high school students from all over Missouri. During the 2-week stent, medical students will essentially be parents away from home for these high schoolers. They are “on-call” essentially 24/7. Due to COVID, this event has been canceled for the past two summers, but admin hopes to bring this back for Summer 2022.
  2. Every student at the medical school interacts with an Orientation and White Coat Ceremony Leader. These folks are busy most of the summer planning and organizing Orientation for the incoming class. There are only 2-3 selected each year, and the job requires a lot of energy, organization, and flexibility. They get to pay-it-forward by helping the incoming class and by being a good face for the program. This position pays around $1,200 with 2 weeks of dedicated time during orientation and various meeting peppered throughout the summer for planning. 

Overall though, be kind to yourself this summer. You have made it through the first year of medical school! Take naps, relax, and do things that bring you joy.