Internships and Work Programs

Students are encouraged to shadow various physicians and gain patient care experience to learn more about careers in medicine. It is particularly important to obtain experience with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine prior to applying. The Center for Experiential Education at Gannon University can help students obtain shadowing, mentoring or internship opportunities with physicians in Erie, Pennsylvania or near your hometown.

Students are also encouraged to obtain meaningful volunteer experiences and research experience prior to applying to medical school. Gannon University offers a plethora of opportunities to volunteer through activities and organizations on campus.

Research experience can be obtained or initiated by working with faculty at Gannon University. Many of our students have received awards for their research presentations at various regional Undergraduate Research Symposiums after completing a research experience with our biology or chemistry faculty. In addition, many of our students have applied for and received competitive research opportunities during the summer off campus. Examples of opportunities our students have obtained include participation in the University of Pittsburgh Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), Harvard University’s Stem Cell Institute Summer Undergraduate Program, and the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs at various institutions. In addition, our students have done research over the summer at the University of Pennsylvania Children’s Hospital, National Institutes of Health, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic.