Submit applications through UK's Handshake career management platform.
UK's Summer Medical Observership Program
The UK Summer Medical Observership Program is for current University of Kentucky students with pre-medical career interests. This program offers opportunities for students to shadow physicians in Lexington and the surrounding area. It was started in 2017 as a joint partnership between the Stuckert Career Center and the UK College of Medicine.
Those accepted into the program will be matched with a physician for the Summer Medical Observership experience. They will spend about 30 hours total with the physician over an 8-week period during the summer.
Each student will be screened and receive brief training on clinical safety, professionalism, and privacy from the UK Office of Observation and Learning Experiences and the Stuckert Career Center before starting the observership. Students are expected to display a professional appearance and behavior, as well as demonstrate interest and reliability.
Additionally, students will be required to follow CDC and University of Kentucky health guidelines, which may include, but are not limited to, COVID-19 precautions.
Applications for the 2025 Summer Medical Observership Program are now closed.
Applications for 2026 Summer Medical Observership Program will open in January 2026. UK students will sign up through Handshake, so please make sure to check your UK Handshake account regularly.
If you have questions, please reach out to Kanisha Boleware at kanisha.boleware@uky.edu.
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.
- In addition to the online application, the student must submit a cover letter, resume, transcript and one letter of recommendation from a UK faculty member.
- 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
- Sunday, February 8, 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