Modeled after the Rockswold Health Scholars Program at Hennepin County Medical Center, alumni doctors at the Mayo Clinic are thrilled to offer an opportunity for selected St. Olaf students to live together in Rochester while interning at the Mayo Clinic during the summer.
Program Philosophy
The two Health Scholars programs are made possible by the generosity of distinguished alumni. The Rockswold Health Scholars program and the Health Scholars at the Mayo Clinic program are designed to support students in their vocational discernment within healthcare, provide intensive internship opportunities to enhance their academic profiles and expand their professional networks. As a cohort internship program, students will be selected on their ability to contribute positively to living in community. Competitive students have demonstrated their commitment to serving others, strong communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to take initiative. Additionally, students will be assessed on their fit with specific research projects, based on coursework, lab, and other experiences. Preference is given to students with an academic profile that does not preclude admission to graduate or professional school, students who will be rising seniors, and students pursuing medicine (clinical research projects only).
Program Details
- Dates: Tuesday, May 28 – Friday, Aug. 2, ten weeks of hands-on experience
- Deadline: Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:59pm
- Tracks: All students will participate in a research project.
- Stipend will be paid to each student
- Housing provided in Rochester, MN
- Final project (paper, poster, presentation) to be determined by student and a Mayo Clinic faculty mentor
- How to Apply (see below for details)
Tracks for 2024
Research
The goal of the research experience is to provide students with hands-on experience in clinical research either in oncology, biostatistics, user experience/interface, or neurology/sleep medicine.
Oncology Research Project: One student will be involved with a review of Immunotherapy in Patients with chordoma treated with immunotherapy.
Sleep Neurology Research Project: One student will be involved with a research project related to sleep neurology, with a strong preference for selection of students with a major in neuroscience and/or psychology, and a planned future career interest in these or related fields. The student will be exposed to sleep neurology and analyze data for preparation for presentation and publication. It is expected that the student commit approximately 75% or more of their time primarily to research activities during their summer appointment in the sleep laboratory.
User Experience/User Interface: One student will be involved with Mayo Clinic Media Support Services on a user interface/user experience project evaluating and enhancing the inpatient digital services on Mayo Clinic TV.
Biostatistics: The goal is for students to be exposed to biostatistics in clinical research, including translating clinical hypotheses to statistical hypotheses, determining appropriate methods to describe and analyze data, programming with R software, and communication of research results. Students considering this opportunity should be interested in the analysis of high-dimensional genomic data. There are several options for the research project depending on the intern’s research interest and skill set. Options include: using UK Biobank data to examine the genetic architecture of sex hormone levels and their relationship with disease and health related traits that show differences in males and females (such as psychiatric traits and cancer); integrating multiple types of data (such as gene expression, DNA mutations, and imaging data) and examine patterns in breast and ovarian cancer; or focusing on developing statistical methods to analyzed data from the X chromosome. Students must have completed the prerequisite STAT 272 Statistical Modeling.
Students will work with a faculty mentor at Mayo Clinic. Projects/mentors for summer 2024:
- Lila Rutten, Ph.D., M.P.H. – Professor of Health Services Research, Mayo Clinic
- Erik St. Louis, MD, MS – Associate Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic
- Stacey J. Winham, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic
- Stephen Sponsel – Director of Media Support Services, Mayo Clinic
Overview of the Program
St. Olaf alumni at Mayo Clinic have established a research internship program that provides current St. Olaf students an unparalleled hands-on experience at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Healthcare is undergoing transformative changes. Understanding how the healthcare team interacts and collaborates to serve the needs of the patient is critical in order to provide the best quality of care. Students will be exposed to how Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive integrated care through weekly seminars and exposure to healthcare innovation/administration. In addition, students will conduct directed research projects.
A unique aspect of this program includes the opportunity for selected participants to live together in the spirit of support and mutuality. Community living is intended to foster supportive relationships in an environment of reflection and intentionality. Students will work together to make decisions about grocery shopping, meals, upkeep of the living space, and social activities. As part of their commitment to learning from and with each other, participants will be expected to take part in a weekly community meal and community conversation. There is a CLEAR expectation that Health Scholars don’t travel elsewhere for the MAJORITY of the weekends during the internship.
How to Apply
Eligibility
- Current Junior or Sophomore or (Class of 2025 or 2026)
- Good academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.0, not on academic probation or academically dismissed according to the Registrar’s Office and Dean of Students Office)
- Students selected for the program will be asked to complete the Consent and Disclosure Form
Desired Qualifications
The selection committee will consider the following:
- Ability to represent St. Olaf College in a mature, professional manner
- Positive attitude and outlook, excellent interpersonal skills
- Past related academic, research, and/or internship experience
- Student’s ability to support the mission and values of Mayo Clinic
Application Deadline and Process
This program’s application and interview process will be joined with the selection process for the Rockswold Health Scholars Program at the Hennepin County Medical Center.
Students will apply through a video, Handshake, and a Google Form (see details below) by Friday, Feb. 9 at 11:59 p.m. All three components are required for a complete application.
- Two-Minute Video
- Create a two-minute (or less) video addressing the following questions:
- Tell us more about your interest in your top choice internship placement. Why do you believe this is the best internship placement for you, and how did you go about making that decision? What do you know about your top choice for an internship site and how does that knowledge contribute to your choice?
- Students should consider this a formal video. Students are strongly encouraged to use the Video Recording Room in the DiSCO to create their videos. You can make reservations here. Students may also use their computers or phones, but they should make every effort to present themselves professionally wherever they create their video.
- Upload your video to YouTube. You may make the video Public or Unlisted. If it is Unlisted, only people with the link will be able to view it. In your Google Form Application, we will ask you to provide the link to your video so the selection committee can see it. We will not share your videos with anyone else. For more information on YouTube and privacy settings, please click here.
- Create a two-minute (or less) video addressing the following questions:
- Handshake Application, Resume and Unofficial Transcript
- In Handshake, complete and submit the application AND upload your resume (one page) and your unofficial transcript (access SIS and save as a .pdf) and apply for the position.
- Fill out the Online Application – Google Form
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- Complete this online application, which includes essay questions, faculty references, rank ordering of internship positions, and space to provide your YouTube video link.
Selected candidates will be invited to interview. Interviews will be 20 minutes in length.
Note: The St. Olaf orientation session for selected students will take place in April. Selected students will participate in an orientation session at Mayo Clinic at the end of April or early May. St. Olaf staff will coordinate transportation for the orientation. Students should plan on 4-5 hours, during which they will travel to and from Mayo Clinic, complete paperwork required for Mayo Clinic to perform a background check, and meet faculty mentors.
Questions? Contact Mary Walczak (walczak@stolaf.edu), Faculty Supervisor and Professor of Chemistry, RNS 302A or Dana Rechtzigel (rechtz1@stolaf.edu), Associate Director, Piper Center, Career Development and Coaching (Pre-Health) Tomson 270.