5 Physician Shadowing Programs In Dallas!

Physician Shadowing / By

Shadowing is critical in helping you decide on a career in healthcare. But finding programs near to you can sometimes prove difficult.

If you’re based in Dallas, these physician shadowing programs could be a great fit for you.

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Before we dive into the list of physician shadowing programs in Dallas, check out our list of opportunities for hospital volunteers in Dallas here. Many of these programs could eventually help in gaining vital clinical experience.

List Of Physician Shadowing Programs In Dallas

Parkland Academy – Career Observation Program

The Parkland Health and Hospital System, headquartered on Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, has a long-running Observation Program (PA-COP) giving individuals the chance to shadow medical professionals in an area of interest.

Giving participants the chance to see healthcare in action and practice, the experience is also designed to show the importance of professional training and what career options are available.

Running since 2013, PA-COP has 3 experiences:

  • Brief: 1-2 days
  • Extended: 2-28 days
  • Advanced: > 28 days

Observations take place on a rolling monthly basis and deadlines are set on the 1st day of every month prior to the experience.

Check with the program as availability may be limited owing to the pandemic.

There is also an opportunity for a paid summer job for college students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare via the Parkland Auxiliary Collegiate Fellowship Program.

Check out the video below for an intro to the Parkland group…

DETAILS

Texas Health – SERV

Texas Health’s Students Engaged in Rounding and Volunteering (SERV) are an organization made up of pre-med/pre-clinical students coming together to serve the local community and earning the chance to shadow physicians and medical staff.

Participating students accepted onto SERV commit to the following:

  • First semester: two 4-hour volunteer shifts per week (one in the Emergency Department and another in a randomly assigned department)
  • Second semester: hands-on experience in a clinical setting shadowing physicians from any one of 15+ specialties

To successfully pass to the second phase, students must complete 100-hours of volunteer service first.

To be eligible you’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA, a plan on entering healthcare (in some capacity), references, and the ability to attend an orientation and commit to 13 continuous weeks of activity.

There are two application intakes for the program; one in Summer/Fall (June-December), and another in Spring/Summer (January-August).

Again, check the status of this program owing to recent events concerning the pandemic.

DETAILS

  • Name: Texas Health
  • Location: 612 E. Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, TX 76011
  • Phone: 877-847-9355
  • Website: texashealth.org/SERV

Carrell Memorial Clinic Shadowing Opportunities

Carrell Memorial Health group, leaders in orthopedic and sports medicine, commonly advertised shadowing opportunities in the pre-pandemic years and may still be receptive to inquiries.

They offer students the chance to learn more about healthcare careers by observing physicians both in the clinic and the operating room.

You can find a link to their old shadowing opportunity placement listing here.

DETAILS

  • Name: Carrell Clinic Dallas
  • Location: 9301 North Central Expressway, Tower I, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75231
  • Phone: 214-220-2468
  • Website: carrellclinic.com

UT Southwestern Medical Center Radiation Oncology Student Observership

UT Southwestern’s Radiation and Oncology Department actively promotes student observership and shadowing placement for those interested in observing a day in the clinic with a departmental physician.

To be eligible for the placement you’ll need to fit the following criteria:

  • Currently enrolled as a UTSW medical student
  • Non-UTWSW medical student applying through VSAS

High school students and undergraduates are also welcome to apply, especially if they’re participating in programs like Health Science Tech High School or the Dallas Mayor’s Program.

Availability is based on demand but opportunities are offered year-round.

DETAILS

Outpatient Externship in Family Medicine – MD2B Connect

*Not a shadowing program*

MD2B’s rotation program is specifically meant for current international or US medical school students or graduates. Additionally, they prefer all of their rotators to have some clinical experience, whether that be from medical school or other rotations.

These rotations are not shadowing experiences but rather hands-on experiences. They are not open to pre-med or undergraduate students

The program, designed with international medical graduates (IMG’s) in mind, offers supervision under two physicians working in geriatrics and sports medicine sub-specialties.

DETAILS

Other Opportunities For Clinical Shadowing In Dallas

As well as applying to the organized shadowing programs listed above, it can be worth researching and enquiring about possible hospital volunteering programs in Dallas 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 the article linked in the introduction for more info on hospital volunteering programs in the city.

What About Private Shadowing?

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

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

  • Take to Twitter (the medical community in Dallas is very active on the platform) and begin making connections and interacting with people in the industry
  • 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 Dallas’ major medical schools
  • 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
  • Look into virtual 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.

I also have individual tips on finding opportunities within each specialty (surgery etc).

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.

Looking for shadowing programs in other parts of Texas? Check out or other physician shadowing guides. We cover all major U.S. cities!

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