5 Physician Shadowing Programs In Atlanta!

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Shadowing is essential when deciding on a career in healthcare. Without it, it’s hard to get any application to further education taken seriously.

But finding programs near to you can sometimes prove difficult!

If you’re based in Atlanta, these physician shadowing programs could be worth exploring.

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Before we dive into the list of physician shadowing programs in Atlanta, why don’t you check out our hospital volunteering guide to Atlanta? Many of the opportunities there could lend themselves well to both your studies and interests!

List Of Physician Shadowing Programs In Atlanta

Atlanta Internal Medicine Rotations

Dr. Samir Desai’s group MD2B Connect runs two paid ($3000) internal medicine rotations in Atlanta that offer outpatient externships.

Although they’re not shadowing programs (you’ll be actively involved inpatient care in a hands-on clinical experience), you will be under the supervision of board-certified internal medicine physicians on staff at Emory Midtown Hospital, Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

These programs are IMG-friendly and as such should only be considered by medical graduates seeking hands-on patient care in internal medicine.

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Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rehabilitation Observation

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has an outpatient and inpatient rehab observation and shadowing program for students interested in the following areas:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Sports physical therapy
  • Recreational therapy

And more!

The observation programs are short (8 hours) or long (9-10 hours), depending on graduate status.

Students must be 18 or over to participate due to HIPAA restrictions. The program is limited by available staff and placements are secured on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications should be made before the start of April.

Here’s an introduction to the center…

Applications are made via the website.

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Georgia Tech Stamps Health Services Ambassadors

Georgia Tech’s Stamps Health Services Ambassadors runs events campus-wide focused on a range of health topics and concerns.

The mentoring program gives an opportunity for students to shadow physicians working in the group.

To be eligible you must be a junior, senior (or beyond) only, an active member of the club, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Physician shadowing is limited to two hours or more every week for a single semester.

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Georgia State University B&B Summer Scholars Program

Georgia State University’s Brains and Behavior (B&B) Summer Program is a virtual workshop series offering lab research as well as distance learning via interactive training workshops centered on professional development.

Ran by the college’s esteemed Neuroscience Institute, past alumni have made important contributions to neuroscience, psychology, and educational research projects.

Applicants are required to have a GPA of 3.0 or better, be current GSU undergraduates in good standing, and be already engaged in research with a B&B faculty member.

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Emory Healthcare Observerships

Pre-Health Advising at Emory offers several shadowing and observership programs in their extensive healthcare network.

Anyone interested in shadowing is not an Emory undergraduate is welcome to contact the Emory Health Office of Observership Credentialing (observership.credentialing@emoryhealthcare.org) for further instructions. This includes Emory graduate students and employees, as well as individuals outside of Emory.

In conjunction with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the college also offers the following programs of interest:

  • High School: Summer Science Academy, Institute On Neuroscience, Winship Summer Research Scholars
  • Undergraduate: SUPERR: Summer Undergraduate Program in Emory Renal Research

See the website listed below for more information.

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Other Opportunities For Clinical Shadowing In Atlanta

As well as applying to the organized shadowing programs listed above, it can be worth researching and enquiring about possible hospital volunteering programs in Atlanta and the surrounding area.

Signing up to volunteer can help you build a network among physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare workers that could lead to important shadowing opportunities.

Check out our list of opportunities for hospital volunteers in the U.S. here. We cover all major U.S. cities!

What About Private Shadowing?

It’s possible to set up private shadowing programs with physicians (and other healthcare workers) in Atlanta.

Here are some important tips on how to secure further shadowing opportunities in the city and surrounding areas:

  • Contact your own personal care provider (PCP) and enquire about shadowing
  • Look up major hospitals in the area and check to see if doctors practicing there are alumni of your college (email them and explain the situation)
  • Try cold calling/emailing physicians listed on the faculty list of Atlanta’s major health schools. Emory’s associated physicians by department list is a good start
  • Check out volunteer opportunities in the city, get orientated and introduce yourselves to members of the medical team personally
  • Consider applying for hospital scribing jobs in the city

What About Physician Assistant Shadowing?

Good Samaritan Health Clinics (Lawrenceville and Atlanta) are known to have staff PA’s and PA-Ss available on certain days. They could be worth reaching out to in the hope of shadowing opportunities.

I Want To Shadow A Certain Specialty Doctor, What Can I Do?

If you’re looking to learn more about the various areas of medicine (and the differing roles) then shadowing can help.

Finding opportunities is generally the same across all areas of medicine and health. You’ll want to contact departments (and physicians) directly and see if they can put you in contact with specialist healthcare workers in areas you may be interested in.

Final Thoughts

A physician or clinical-based shadowing program is important for any student interested in allied health careers. Not just future doctors but nurses, physician assistants, and anyone in between!

Hopefully, the programs above can help give you an introduction as to what life in healthcare is all about.

Before you bounce away from this list of physician shadowing programs in Atlanta, why don’t you check out our other physician shadowing guides? We cover all major U.S. cities!