Visiting Student Electives
About
The University of Virginia School of Medicine welcomes visiting 4th year medical students to rotate with us through our Visiting Student Electives Program. Our program provides medical students the opportunity to experience what it is like to live and work in Charlottesville, while witnessing first-hand our school’s inclusive culture and welcoming environment. There is no tuition charge, and visiting students are allowed to participate in up to 4 weeks of electives.
About the Program
- Anesthesiology
- Angio/IR
- Cardio/Thoracic Surgery
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine (Inpatient & Outpatient)
- General Surgery (multiple electives offered)
- Hematology/Oncology
- Infectious Disease
- Neurology (Adult & Pediatrics available)
- Neuropathology
- Neurosurgery
- OB/GYN (multiple electives)
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery
- Pediatrics (multiple electives offered)
- Plastic Surgery
- PM&R
- Psychiatry
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiology
- Surgical Pathology
- Urology
- The University of Virginia uses VSLO, Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (formerly called VSAS) for ALL visiting student applicants. For more information on VSLO, please visit VSLO or contact VSLO at vslo@aamc.org or call: (202) 478-9878.
- We only accept visiting students from LCME Accredited Medical Schools.
- The malpractice insurance of the University of Virginia School of Medicine does not cover visiting students. VSAS requires an official signature “verification” to malpractice coverage by the student’s home school, or a certificate of insurance.
- Medical care expenses incurred by the visiting student while at this institution will be the student’s responsibility.
The UVA GME Community is offering an embedded leadership experience for visiting 4th year students as well as any current 4th year UVA students. Our goal is to specifically increase the recruitment of URiM students and others with a strong interest in diversity to our GME training programs. In addition to participating in the clinical specialty elective of your choice, selected students will function as a cohort as you gain leadership skills, learn about the business of medicine, receive coaching to create successful applications and build interview skills as you pursue entry into residency programs. Participants will also benefit from networking with leaders and experts from both the Health System and other highly regarded Schools at UVA. Accepted visiting students may also apply for a limited number of $1,500 scholarships to help offset the cost of travel and housing.
Any final year visiting or UVA medical student who is part of a URiM group or who has a strong interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion may apply. A maximum of 24 students will be chosen for the program per block.
Strong preference is given to those who self-identify as a member of a racial or ethnic group historically underrepresented in medicine.
If you are interested in applying for the Leadership Program & Travel Scholarship, please complete the application and email the application to UVAGMELP@uvahealth.org.
The University of Virginia School of Medicine requires completion of the AAMC Standardized Immunization Form for all visiting student applicants.
Do not send personal health records. All records must be included on the AAMC form with the last page signed by a healthcare professional or institutional designee to verify their accuracy.
Required Immunizations
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- 2 doses of the combined MMR vaccine
- OR 2 Measles, 2 Mumps, 1 Rubella vaccinations
- OR positive titers demonstrating immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (attach lab report)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
- 2 doses of Varicella vaccine.
- OR a positive titer demonstrating immunity
- NOT ACCEPTED: documented history of having had chickenpox is not enough – a titer is required in that case.
Hepatitis B
- 3 doses of Hep B vaccine AND a quantitative surface antibody titer demonstrating adequate immunity.
- IF THE TITER IS NEGATIVE: Applicants must receive additional vaccinations to provide a positive titer. This second vaccination series can take several months to complete, so know your status and plan ahead.
Tdap Adult
- The Tdap — vaccination on record must be within the past 10 years.
TB Screening
- PPD (or Quantiferon TB Gold test) — results from within one year of the date of the elective.
- IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF TB, OR OF POSITIVE PPD RESULTS, you must submit documentation of a clear chest x-ray (analytical result, not the actual film) from within the past 6-months.
Flu Shot
- Students rotating during flu season must submit current flu shot documentation with their AAMC form, or within 2 weeks of the start date of their elective.
- Compliance is mandatory, except in the case of pre-approved medical or religious exemption. If you need to request an exemption, please contact Lisa Howdyshell as early as possible after you are officially accepted.
Tuition
Visiting students are allowed to participate in up to 4 weeks of electives. There is no tuition charge.
Evaluation Forms
Should be provided to the elective supervisor by the visiting student.
Housing
Visiting students must make their own arrangements for room and board. When your acceptance is finalized, Student Affairs will send you a list of short-term housing that you can use to find yourself accommodations while here at UVA for your visiting student elective.
Medical Expenses
Medical care expenses incurred by the visiting student while at this institution, will be the student’s responsibility. Students who have blood or body fluid exposures should receive evaluation and care in the Emergency Department with long term follow-up at their home institution. The student is responsible for all expenses incurred in the Emergency Department.
HIPAA, OSHA & Hospital Requirements
When Student Affairs notifies you and your acceptance is finalized, we will register you for the required training modules modules. All visiting students must follow the directions in their acceptance email to complete which will have instructions on how to log-in and complete assigned training modules prior to your rotation start date.
Questions?
For any questions about the Visiting Student Elective Program, please contact:
Lisa Howdyshell
Registrar Associate, University of Virginia School of Medicine