Undergraduate Surgical Internship 

The FSIE Undergraduate Surgical Internship is a Summer Program designed to provide students with an in-depth experience in general surgery and clinical research. Medical and graduate schools highly value extracurricular and scholarly activities when reviewing applicants. FSIE undergraduate level internships focus on curriculum vitae (resume) building activities. Interns will shadow physicians and/or nurses in the clinic and operating room, receive surgeon lead didactics and participate in hands-on skills labs in the FSIE research laboratory. Interns will also work on research projects tailored to their level of experience. Most undergraduate level interns will have the opportunity to be a part of clinical research projects that will lead to authorship on manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. Many of our undergraduates have presented their projects at national meetings. 

The formal Summer Surgical Internship is a 5-6 week intensive program with a set curriculum.  Many students extend the formal program to stay on and do more independent research depending on their schedules and availability.  

Program Directors: Dr Christy Dunst & Dr Lauren Orr
Program Coordinator: Laura Nakata
Administrative Coordinator: Lisa Leeth
OR Education Director: Jason Darnel
Sim Center Education Director: Trihn Stephen

​OBJECTIVE
Gain exposure to surgical careers and valuable experience in clinical medical research

​EXPECTATIONS

• Research project: Interns will be assigned a clinical research project to work on during their time with FSIE. Their level of involvement will depend upon their prior experience, time commitment and complexity of the project. Interns will be expected to read relevant medical journal articles, assist in data collection and Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposal writing.
• Shadowing: Interns will observe physicians and nurses in the clinic setting and the operating room. Shadowing will include opportunities to focus on a single topic/disease process ideally related to the interns research project. An effort will be made to follow a single patient through the surgical process (initial consultation, testing, surgery, post op).
• Attend weekly FSIE Research Meeting (Thursdays 10:00-12:00pm)
• Weekly endoscopy skills lab
• Suturing workshop
• Sterile techniques workshop
• Weekly lectures by surgeons
• HIPAA training
• GI physiology testing
• End of program wrap up presentation

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN UNFUNDED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Submit the completed online internship application including a CV/resume in PDF format.
2. Deadline for applications is December 1st. After FSIE committee review, decisions regarding acceptance will be communicated by January 1st.
3. If accepted, FSIE will contact you for further instructions. You will then be required to provide a digital photo to be distributed to security and staff.
4.  Please be ready to provide a current TB test and routine immunization records and submit to a routine drug screen and background check during orientation week.

TEACHING FACULTY
Dr. Rehan Ahmad
Dr. Shaghayegh Aliabadi Wahle
Dr Michelle Babicky
Dr. Brian Cheeseboro
Dr. Daniel Davila Bradley
John Day
Dr. Steve DeMeester
Dr. Christy Dunst
Angi Gill, RN
Dr David O'Brien
Dr. Ed Okies
Dr Lauren Orr
Dr. Kevin Reavis
Dr. Lee Swanstrom
Dr. Maria Kiely

Internship Application

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“My time at the foundation as an undergraduate was invaluable. I was exposed to surgical medicine in the clinical setting as well as in the operating room, and I had the opportunity to participate in real life biomedical investigations. I was even able to travel to Utah to present original research at SAGES, a major medical conference. The foundation is made up of physicians that truly enjoy teaching and passing the love of learning onto the next generation.”  
–BEN ROBINSON, 3-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE INTERN

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