Dialysis Clinic, Inc. has sponsored a medical summer internship for pre-medical students in the clinical area of organ transplantation since 1998. Over the last 20 years, the medical summer internship program has expanded to 20 cities all across the United States, and as a result, has given over 200 students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the medical field.

The medical summer internship entails shadowing physicians on rounds in the hospital, observing and assisting in an outpatient/clinic facility, and observing the coordination of a transplant. In addition, students will be able to visit the local Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) and HLA lab. Participants may also have the opportunity to do data collection for the transplant service or work on a clinical research project.

In addition to the medical portion of the internship, all interns will also participate as a counselor for Camp Okawehna, a week-long camp for dialyzed and post-kidney transplant children. Each intern’s role is essential to the functioning of camp, and many interns have said that the week at camp was their favorite and most remarkable part of their entire summer internship. The camp is located in Nashville, TN, and will take place the week following orientation.

The purpose of this medical summer internship is to expose the student to hospital and outpatient environments, as well as to specific areas of medicine such as surgery and clinical research. These experiences are designed to help students decide whether or not to pursue a career in medicine. There is a strong preference for students currently in their junior year of college with a serious interest in medicine. Housing will be provided for all interns, as well as round-trip travel to the hosting transplant center. A stipend will also be provided.