Experiences that do not forward a student's progress for their degree (i.e., experiences that are not for medical school credit) are not covered for liability insurance by the University. There is no central University oversite or endorsement for these experiences; they are solely the responsibility of the student to arrange with the hosting physician and health system.

Shadowing opportunities are a decentralized process handled independently by individual departments and sites. A student needs to simply ask a physician for the opportunity, and that physician's department and/or site will organize the required credentialing. Specialty Experts are a great resource to get started, as is a student’s Faculty Advisor, who can assist in connecting them with physicians and resources. The local Twin Cities Medical Society also runs a shadowing program for interested medical students. 

Key Resources for Students

• Career Guidance: Learn and Explore 

• Career Development FAQs - How do I get connected for shadowing?

• Individual departments

• Specialty Experts

• Twin Cities Medical Society

Often the health system's Education Office will need to be involved. Faculty or students can look here for information about how to reach the health system's Education Office.