Submit applications through UK's Handshake career management platform.
UK's Summer Medical Observership Program
UK’s Summer Medical Observership Program is for current University of Kentucky students with pre-medical career interests. This program offers opportunities for UK undergraduate students to shadow UK faculty physicians in Lexington and Georgetown. This program is a joint partnership with the Stuckert Career Center and the UK College of Medicine.
Those accepted into this program will be paired with a physician for the UK Summer Medical Observership experience, through which they will spend about 30 or more hours shadowing the physician within an 8-week period over the summer.
Each student will be screened and receive brief training on clinical safety, professionalism, and privacy by the UK Office of Observation and Learning Experience and the Stuckert Career Center prior to starting the observership. Students will be expected to display professional appearance and behavior, interest, and reliability. In addition, students will be required to follow CDC and University of Kentucky health guidelines.
Applications for the 2026 Summer Medical Observership Program is now open! Students can apply through Handshake by Friday, February 6, 2026.
If selected to move forward to the interview stage, students will sign-up through Handshake. So please make sure to check your UK Handshake account and UKY email often. If you have questions, please reach out to Kanisha Boleware.
Student Eligibility
- Must be a currently enrolled student at the University of Kentucky.
- The student must be in good standing with the University of Kentucky, pursuant to the University's Academic and Student Life rules.
- If accepted, the student is required to participate in all orientations, trainings, and UK Healthcare OLE requirements.
- Prior to applying, students are strongly encouraged to visit the University of Kentucky's Stuckert Career Center:
- Review your cover letter and resume during a Resume Lab (Monday or Friday from 1-3pm)
- Practice your elevator pitch during a Drop-In Discussion (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 1-3pm)
- Practice a mock interview through Big Interview.
Application Process
What to submit
Resume, unofficial transcript, other document - 1 page document: Sharing your educational & professional goals, how SMOP supports them, & any current summer plans.
Application open/close date
- Application opens
- Monday, January 12, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Application closes
- Friday, February 6, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Selection Process
- Members of the interview committee will review applications and extend email invitations for in-person interviews
- Members of the interview committee will interview students and select candidates from applicant pool
- Final selections will be made based on number of UK Healthcare preceptors available for Summer 2026
- Students will receive email notifications of their status for the 2026 Summer Medical Observership Program cohort
Student Experience
- Understand your physician preceptor's general views of their specialty and what drew the preceptor to the practice of medicine in general, and/or to their specialty in particular.
- Learn about he preceptor's path to their current work.
- Observe daily work routines of the preceptor with their patients, as well as the preceptor's interactions with staff and other providers.
- Observe surgical or other procedures, if applicable to the specialty.
- Office of Observation and Learning Experience (OLE)
Preceptor Experience
Qualifications
- US work authorization,
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Open to all class years (First year - Seniors), and open to all majors
Part-time, unpaid, onsite locations in Lexington, KY, and the surrounding region