Student Resources

Shadowing

medical students shadowing health expert

Students looking for shadowing opportunities: The USF AHEC Program office does not directly coordinate shadowing opportunities. Shadowing and volunteer opportunities for students who are truly interested in exploring the health professions are offered by various healthcare facilities in AHEC’s 9-county service area. Through these experiences, students connect with healthcare providers and mentors to experience first-hand the day-to-day activities of a healthcare professional, ask questions about their chosen career interest, and observe interactions with staff and patients.

If you are interested in opportunities on USF campus, you might want to join the “Reach out and Read” (ROR) program offered through USF Health. Reach Out and Read is a national pediatric literacy program. There are over 205 sites in Florida, including 17 in the Tampa Bay Area. USF Pediatrics runs the ROR program at the USF- South Tampa Center, USF North, and the HealthPark clinic. The goal of the program is to integrate parent education about literacy development into regular pediatric care for young children, taking advantage of regularly scheduled well-child visits to reach parents of young children. At every health supervision visit, children from 6 months to 5 years of age receive a new book along with advice from their provider.

To join the USF Reach out and Read program please contact Ms. Ellen Kent at ekent@health.usf.edu or 813.974.6622.

If you meet eligibility requirements, you can participate in the Moffitt Cancer Center “Pre-Med Student Observation Program.” The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for pre-med students to observe physicians during their day-to-day interactions with patients and guests. Students must meet eligibility requirements (listed below) and apply by the shadowing terms deadline.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years old and have 1-2 years university experience
  • Must be applying for medical school within 2 years
  • Must carry a GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Must apply and be accepted for the Pre-med Observance Program by the Selection Committee
  • Must complete 60 hours of volunteer service with Moffitt (This is in addition to the 60 hours minimum requirement for observation hours.)

The benefits of involving students who have Moffitt volunteer hours include:

  • Increased knowledge of Center and corporate culture
  • Competent students due to volunteer experience working with patients and staff
  • Demonstrated dependability prior to being scheduled with a physician
  • Completed all pre-screening requirements (TB, background check, orientation)
  • Documented volunteer hours for medical school applications

Shadowing Terms:

  • February (Applications accepted from December 1 – Jan 15)
  • June (Applications accepted from April 1 – May 15)
  • October (Applications accepted from August 1 – Sept 15)

To join the team of volunteers at Moffitt, please contact the Volunteer Services office at 813.745.8434 or online at www.moffittcancercenter.org.

Other Volunteer opportunities in the Tampa Bay Area