Even as a first-year medical student, you can begin exploring ways to get involved, learn more about pediatrics, and find your passions! You do not need to "know" exactly what field you wish to pursue - the best way to discern your specialty interest is to try new things.
The Pediatric Interest Group is open to all medical students, regardless of their intended specialty!
Email pig@umn.edu at any time to be added to our ListServe and receive emails about events and opportunities within pediatrics! Events hosted by PIG include:
Lunch Lectures
All Things Pediatrics Dinner
PIG Week (typically in January)
Pediatric Skills Night (typically in January)
and more!
Keep an eye out for an email in early Spring to apply to become a PIG Board Member during your MS2 year!
There are many different opportunities to volunteer as an MS1, including:
Ronald McDonald House
Crisis Nursery
Gopher Buddies
HopeKids
You can click the drop down buttons below to learn more about each one. Email pig@umn.edu to get connected with our Volunteer Coordinator and learn more! And watch out for emails about sign-ups, information sessions, and other opportunities to volunteer!
*Please note, these volunteer opportunities may be impacted by COVID-19 policies*
The Ronald McDonald House is located right next to campus and serves families of children currently hospitalized to create a community and "home away from home". Medical student volunteers will sign up for weekly 2 hour shifts, but scheduling is flexible. You will participate in a broad range of activities with the children including game nights, arts and crafts, themed events, and more! More information typically sent out via email in the fall.
*COVID-19 Status: Limited volunteering.
The Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is a community-focused resource for families in crisis, offering free services for parents and children and guided by their mission to "end child abuse and create strong, healthy families". Volunteer opportunities have variable time commitments and include: Cook for Kids, Creative Snacks for Kids, Child Care, and large muscle movement Enrichment Activity. Check out their website here!
*COVID-19 Status: All volunteer shifts are currently suspended. Check back to their website for updates.
Gopher Buddies is a program started by University of Minnesota Medical Students, through a partnership with HopeKids. Each student gets paired with a child and their family in the community, to build a relationship and understand life with a pediatric life-long illness! You can attend HopeKids events with your Gopher Buddy, or just spend time with them and learn more about your buddy and their family. Sign-ups typically happen in the Fall.
*2022-2023 application is now open! Apply at this link by October 3rd!
HopeKids is an organization focusing on building community for families who have a child with cancer or a life-threating medical conditions. They are our partners for the Gopher Buddies program, but also host events that anyone can volunteer for - a favorite is the "Trunk or Treat" in October! Check out their website here!
*COVID-19 Status: In-person volunteer events are limited (Trunk or Treat). However, HopeKids has been putting together Virtual Programming that students could get involved in. Check out their website for more info, or email PIG to get connected.
Check out this helpful guide created by our PIG Research Chair for more information about conferences, grants, and research opportunities!
Check out the Upcoming Events tab for information about upcoming conferences and symposiums that you can present your research at!
You can find current Pediatric Research opportunities on this spreadsheet created by our Research Chair! Learn more about projects within different specialties and who to contact about each project at the spreadsheet below!
You can find research opportunities for medical students in the Medical Student Research Database button below. (Note: you can filter for pediatric research opportunities specifically!)
For more pediatric research opportunities, check out the list of research laboratories and programs within the Department of Pediatrics.
You can apply for research grants for basic, clinical, or community based research. Deadlines are bi-annually on September 15 and February 15.
Attend Pediatrician's Day at the Capitol!
Join other pediatricians and medical students as they discuss and advocate for issues that have a direct impact on the health of Minnesota children and adolescents.
Typically occurs in the Spring, check back later for more information!
Explore the MN Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics page for ways you can be an advocate for Minnesota children and adolescents, and their overall health!
Includes Legislative Updates, "Take Action" ideas, and more!
It is always good to learn directly from the source! Physicians in the field can tell you about their work, day-to-day responsibilities, how they got to where they are, and so much more!
Participate in the Burst Mentorship Program
Semester-long commitment that occurs in the Fall and Spring
Involves mentoring sessions and shadowing experiences with a physician in the field of pediatrics
Application is open now through October 3rd!
Find physicians in specific subspecialties within the Department of Pediatrics and reach out to see if they would be willing to chat with you!
"The Education in Pediatrics Across the Continuum (EPAC) project is an exciting educational pathway to test the feasibility of medical education and training that is based on the demonstration of defined outcomes rather than on time, from early in medical school through completion of residency."
Watch for emails about EPAC Explore Sessions throughout your first year of medical school to learn more about the program!
