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Undergraduate Medical Education

Leadership

Renee Tholey, MD
Director, Surgical Undergraduate Education

Program Contact

Sherry Weitz
Coordinator, Undergraduate Education

1015 Walnut Street
620 Curtis Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visiting Student Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program

Now accepting applications for 2025-26

Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

The Department of Surgery at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City, Philadelphia acknowledges the importance of a diverse community and inclusive environment and encourages fourth-year medical students to apply to explore an interest in academic surgery.

The Program will provide accepted "Acting Intern" (4th year medical) students with a four-week rotation at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for the months of August, September, and October in General Surgery or any of its subspecialties.: Colorectal, Minimally Invasive, Surgical Oncology/Hepatobiliary, Thoracic, Trauma/Acute Care, or Vascular Surgery.

The Program also provides up to $2,250 of expense reimbursement to help defray the cost of transportation, fees, and housing expenses. The program will be offered to several eligible students in the early fall of the academic year 2025-2026.

The Visiting Student Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program is designed to give students the experience of rotating as a surgical "Acting Intern" (4th-year medical student) at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery. The "Acting Intern" will function in the role of a surgical intern and will be required to attend all conferences including:

  • core curriculum,
  • morbidity and mortality conference,
  • rotation-based clinical case conferences, and
  • simulation lab experiences with the surgery residents.

The ‘Acting Intern’ will be assigned a chief resident as a mentor during the rotation. Prior to completing the rotation, the ‘Acting Intern’ will meet with the Program Director and the Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery.

All eligible students are encouraged to apply, including, but not limited to, students who are underrepresented in medicine (as defined by AAMC and/or HRSA). The 4th year medical student "Acting Internship" is four weeks in duration and will only be offered in the early fall of the academic year.

Students must be enrolled in their final year of medical school in good academic standing at an LCME- or AΩA accredited medical school, and have completed all required core clerkships. Students will be accepted into clinical rotations only if space is available during the preferred time period.

In addition, all students must meet all requirements of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University for visiting students.

Application Requirements:

  •  A one-page personal statement discussing your background and career goals
  • Letter of recommendation from a surgeon you worked with during your surgical core rotation
  • Curriculum vitae
  • USMLE scores
  • Medical school transcript
  • Completed application form

Submit all application materials by email to Sherry.Weitz@jefferson.edu

Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

Any applications submitted after the deadline may be considered if space allows. If selected, you will receive notification via email by June 30, 2025.

After you have been accepted, you must formally apply to the medical school electronically through Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) to GENERAL SURGERY. For more information, go to our Visiting Student Page for clinical electives.

Our Department provides first-rate training for students pursuing careers in general surgery or surgical subspecialties. The Visiting Student Inclusive Excellence Scholarship creates the opportunity for future healers, investigators, and innovators to enhance their education by offering them the Jefferson learning experience – one that is second to none.

Philanthropic support of this invaluable program is essential to our mission here at Jefferson, providing a vital lifeline so these students can continue to achieve their full potential. They’ve dedicated their lives to helping others, and we want to help them achieve their goals.

Drs. Charles and Theresa Yeo have generously committed to kick-start this program. Our goal is to reach the $100,000 minimum to endow this scholarship that will improve the diversity of our medical community for years to come. By making a gift to this fund, you will give a student a significant opportunity today that will have an impact to last them a lifetime.

For more information, please contact Kelly Austin,
Assistant Vice President of Development, at 215-955-6383 or Kelly.Austin@Jefferson.edu.

Read the Department of Surgery Statement on Diversity & Inclusion

Office of Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives (ODII) at Sidney Kimmel Medical College supports an institutional framework that acknowledges the importance of a diverse community and an inclusive environment. ODII promotes initiatives and programs that increase awareness, understanding and sensitivity to the needs of all individuals regardless of age, class, physical ability, gender, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation.  

Learn More