Visiting Elective Scholars Program

The Cooper Emergency Medicine Visiting Elective Scholars Program is supported by the Department of Emergency Medicine at Cooper University Hospital and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU). This program was established to encourage fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine (URIM) to apply for the Cooper EM clerkship. The scholars program is designed to expose select fourth year medical students who are URIM to an outstanding educational and clinical experience at an academic EM training program in Camden, NJ. Participation is not affiliated with the EM residency match and does not guarantee a residency spot. Highlights of the clerkship include:

  • Funding includes up to $2,000 for reimbursement for travel and housing expenses.
  • Excellent clinical exposure to wide ranging pathology at the busiest Level 1 Trauma Center in the state of New Jersey, located just across the river from Philadelphia.
  • Hands-on weekly simulation, procedural, and teaching sessions with dedicated EM faculty and residents.
  • Each student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will provide one-on-one rotational and career guidance .
  • A separate individual educational enrichment experience will provide in-depth education on ECG interpretation and there will be a focus on oral board type cases.
  • Each student will have the opportunity to attend all Cooper EM residency educational activities.
  • Scheduled a few ‘teaching shifts’ where a student works directly with a dedicated faculty member who is responsible only to hear student cases.  There will be an emphasis on bedside teaching, clinical skills and optimal patient communication skills.

Eligibility

  • Fourth year U.S. visiting medical students who are underrepresented in medicine are encouraged to apply.
  • Must be a registered student in good standing at an accredited U.S. medical school.
  • Requirements for CMSRU clinical electives must also be met:
    • Completion of core clerkships in Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and OB/GYN
    • 4th year standing
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Interested students should have a demonstrated vision and commitment to improving the health status of diverse patient populations via patient care, research and/or teaching.

Selection

Scholarships of up to $2,000.00 *each to be used towards transportation and lodging costs will be awarded on the basis of:

  • Academic achievement as per transcripts, USMLE performance, letters of recommendation etc.
  • Interest in serving underserved populations
  • Other experiences, leadership positions and/or scholarly accomplishments

* Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement

Application

  • Completed Cooper EM Visiting Scholars Program Application, including:
    • A brief personal statement describing career goals and interest in pursuing a clerkship at Cooper University Hospital/CMSRU (500 words)
    • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member
  • Completed VSLO application to the CMSRU Emergency Medicine Clerkship
  • Additional requirements to fulfill in order to participate in a visiting rotation at CMSRU:
  • Applications will only be considered for the following clerkship blocks (depending on availability):
    • Block 1: July 1 - July 26, 2024
    • Block 2: July 29 – Aug 23, 2024
    • Block 3: Aug 26 – Sept 20, 2024
    • Block 4: Sept 23 – Oct 18, 2024

Deadline

Applications for the scholars program must be received by June 1, 2024

Additional Resources

CMSRU Office of Diversity and Outreach