Clinical Observership Opportunities
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Applications are now being accepted for: July 2026 - August 2026
Clinical Sites
Observers may apply to participate at either or both of our institutions, each offering a distinct model of hospital medicine practice: UT Multispecialty & Research Hospital (MSRH) and our partner facility, University Hospital (UH). These unique settings allow observers to gain broad exposure to diverse clinical environments and approaches to patient care.
Please note: Observerships are strictly “shadowing-only” opportunities- no direct patient contact or care is permitted, and observers will not be allowed access to any patient health records. All observers will be accompanied by a Hospital Medicine faculty member at all times while in the hospital. Any violation of UT, MSRH, or University Hospital policies by an observer will result in immediate termination of the observership. We reserve the right to limit the number of observers accepted into the program, which may affect availability.
Observerships are not a replacement for formal medical training, and the experience obtained through them cannot be counted toward a medical or doctoral degree, nor does it fulfill the requirements for board certification in any specialty. Participation in this observership program does not influence current or future applications for residency or fellowship positions.
Auxiliary Educational Opportunities
During the course of their observership, individuals will have the opportunity to attend additional educational conferences hosted by Hospital Medicine including Grand Rounds, Journal Club, and an Oncology Hospitalist Didactic session.
Timeframes
Observerships at both University Hospital and the Multispecialty and Research Hospital are available for 4 to 8 weeks. Individuals who wish to observe at both facilities must apply or each location. If observerships at both sites are approved, the approved dates for each observership cannot overlap; therefore, we will work with you to schedule the dates in sequential order.
Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the desired start date of the observership to allow adequate time for processing and approval through the required departments.
Eligibility
Observerships are available to individuals 18 years of age or older at the time of application who are currently enrolled in a college or university program (high school students and minors may explore opportunities with University Hospital’s Junior Volunteer Program) and international medical graduates seeking to gain experience in the US healthcare system with the intent of applying to US residency programs.
In accordance with recent executive orders, we are currently unable to host observers from the following regions:
- People’s Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region (China)
- Republic of Cuba (Cuba)
- Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran)
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)
- Russian Federation (Russia)
- Venezuela (Maduro Regime)
Requirements
Observership requirements are set forth by the UT Registrar, the Office of International Services (OIS), MSRH, and University Hospital and are subject to change at the discretion of the respective entity. Please see below for a comprehensive list of current requirements as well as documentation needed during the submission of your completed application form.
When submitting an application, please include the completed application form and your current resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Completion of an application through the UT Registrar office and payment of the Registrar application fee (see “Associated Fees”)
- Current enrollment in a college or university program (high school students are not eligible for clinical observerships)
- Completion of Title IX training through your university program
- Valid state or federal photo identification (driver’s license, US passport, etc.)
- Current health insurance coverage
- Current on all immunizations required by University Hospital and MSRH (see “Immunization Requirements”)
When submitting an application, please include the completed application form, your current CV/resume, current visa, USMLE score(s), and letter of recommendation or dean’s letter. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
All passports and visa documents must be current at the time of application and remain valid for the entirety of the observership period.
- Valid passport issued by the individual’s home country
- B-1 Visa (Canadian citizens do not require a Visa; however, a current I-94 admission document is required of all international visitors to confirm an admission class of B-1 (Temporary Business Visitor). Admission class B-2 (Tourist) is not acceptable for observerships.)
- Completion of a virtual “check in” with UT’s Office of International Services (OIS) prior to the start of the observership, during which a current I-94 must be presented to confirm B-1 admission class.
- Current on all immunizations required by University Hospital and MSRH (see “Immunization Requirements”)
- Documentation of a passing score on the USMLE Exam Step 1 (USMLE Step 2 and 3 are preferred by not required)
- English proficiency- in order for your observership experience to be as valuable and productive as possible, you must be proficient in English.
All immunization records and/or blood work must be up-to-date before an observership application can be submitted. Any health record that was not originally issued in English must be accompanied by an official English translation. Incomplete vaccine series for Hepatitis B, MMR, and Varicella will not be accepted.
- Annual influenza vaccine (if the observership is scheduled to be conducted between the months of September and March)
- Two (2) COVID-19 vaccinations
- Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Accellular Pertussis) vaccine administered within the last 10 years (all Tdap components must be documented, Td vaccines will not be accepted)
- Three (3) Hepatitis B vaccinations (2 immunizations are acceptable if the individual has received the Heplisav-B formulation) or positive/immune titer result
- Two (2) Varicella vaccinations or positive/immune titer result
- Two (2) Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccinations or positive/immune titer result
- Current TB/PPD skin test or Quantiferon Gold test administered within 90 days prior to the observership start date (i.e. if the observership start date is 09/01, only results dated 06/01 or later will be accepted)
-
- In the event of a positive skin test a 1) TB Quantiferon Gold test result, 2) current chest x-ray, AND 3) evaluation from a physician confirming that the individual is currently free of any symptoms of TB are required.
-
All fees are subject to change at the discretion of the individual department or institution without prior notice. Fees are listed in USD (United States Dollar) and are non-refundable and subject to applicable service fees. Observers are responsible for all travel, accommodation, living expenses, and parking fees.
- $500 UT Observership Application fee (this is to be paid once your initial application has been approved by the Program Director)
- $500 per week UT Observership fee (due in full before the start of the observership)
- $25 Registrar Application fee (Visiting Students only)
-
- This fee increases to $50 if an observership encompasses the months of June and July
-
Additional fees due at time of arrival
- $10 University Hospital Observer Badge fee (UH observers only)
- $10 UT Badge fee (Visiting Students & MSRH observers only)
Cancellation Refund Policy
If notice of observership cancellation is received by program administration within 31-60 days of the start date of the observership, a refund of 50% of the program cost (excluding the application fee) will be issued. Cancellation notices submitted 30 days or less from the start date of the observership are not eligible for a refund.
"We are delighted to welcome applicants to the UT Health Observership Program. Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be challenging, especially early in one’s medical journey. Gaining firsthand clinical experience and learning directly from dedicated physicians provides invaluable insight, guidance, and perspective. Our goal is to foster a supportive environment where curiosity is encouraged, mentorship is meaningful, and each observer leaves better prepared for the path ahead." Nishan Gajjar, DO, MPH, Observership Director at MSRH
"Observership program offers structured, observation-based exposure to inpatient hospital medicine in an academic teaching environment. This experience provides insight into clinical workflows, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hospital-based care in the U.S. healthcare system." Soniya Abraham, MD, Observership Director at University Hospital