The Physician in Clinical and Hospital Healthcare

    January 2025 St. Olaf students at a Naloxone Training and Kit Packing at the M Health Fairview Community Health & Wellness Hub. Participants (L-R):  Grace Knowlan ’25, Sarah Heeter ’26, Trey Hellman ’25, Hailey Echevarria ’25, Greta Rundquist ’26, and Aly Schneider ’25.

    During J-Term, 10 students explore health care in a clinical and hospital setting through association with physicians who are a part of the metro area M Health Fairview System. For more information on the history of the program: http://wp.stolaf.edu/blog/hands-on-interim-program-wins-minnesota-hospital-association-award/

    Students follow a physician through their daily activities in clinical and hospital settings, observing the delivery of health care in primary and specialty areas and in practices with all age groups. Students may be exposed to emergency health care and physician support areas, and students will see a broad range of medical providers, mainly physicians, in a variety of specialties. M Health Fairview has many locations (please see this link to view the range of geographic locations where students may be observing). 

    It is highly beneficial for all students to understand the different provider roles on a healthcare team. Shadowing a variety of physicians and health care professionals can increase understanding of the various roles in health. Therefore, the Fairview Administrator will match students with providers, and students will not be able to select the specialties or providers they will be shadowing.

    This experience provides 4-6 hours of shadowing 2-4 days per week, Tuesday – Friday. Shadowing assignments will be provided each week and are based on provider availability. On Mondays, students will attend weekly virtual lectures led by Fairview professionals to understand the broader healthcare system, and discuss assigned readings related to topics in healthcare. Students will keep a journal detailing their observations and their interpretation of and reaction to these observations. The experience will also include required readings, and students are expected to participate in meaningful reflection and discussion on a weekly basis. During the final meeting, students will be asked to reflect on their experiences individually and as a group.

    All students are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the program and will receive one Biology credit for participating.

    Eligibility

    • Current juniors and seniors are eligible.
    • Selection is based on a review of all applicants (preference will be given to pre-medical students with an academic record that supports admission to a health professions school).
    • Preference will also be given to students who may lack the shadowing experience they need to be competitive applicants to a health professions school.
    • Students need to be open-minded, engaged, ands flexible, understanding that things in the program may change with very short notice. (This is healthcare!)
    • Students need to have access to transportation, as they will be shadowing at various locations, which are spread out across the Twin Cities greater metro area. If access to a car presents a barrier to your participation, please contact Dana Rechtzigel, rechtz1@stolaf.edu

    How to Apply:

    • The deadline to apply is 11:59pm Monday, October 13, 2025.
    • Apply via Handshake and also submit a resume, cover letter, and transcript.
    • Your cover letter needs to include:
      • The names of your two faculty references (please ask for their approval before listing them). They do not need to submit a reference when you apply and we will contact them if needed.
      • Answers to These four questions:
      • How do you anticipate that this experience will contribute to your vocational and career exploration and development?
      • What do you hope to accomplish during this internship? What are your specific goals and expectations for this experience?
      • What do you know about M Health Fairview?
      • Where do you see yourself in 20 years as a health professional?
      • If needed, interviews will be held the week of October 20th. Exact dates TBD.

    M Health Fairview hosts this program in part to introduce future healthcare professionals to M Health Fairview, with the goal of recruiting them once they complete health professions school. Therefore, preference will be given to students from the Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota). If you are not from these states and would benefit from the experience, please apply!