David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship

The David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship was established to honor Dr. David Satcher, MD, PhD, a renowned physician, public health leader, and former U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Satcher has dedicated his career to advancing health equity, medical education, and increasing access to medical careers, inspiring future generations of physicians to address disparities in medicine and patient care.

This scholarship is funded through the generous gifts of community members in honor of David Satcher. University Hospitals invites medical students who meet the criteria described below to apply for the David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship, which provides financial support for students completing a clinical acting internship (AI) rotation at University Hospitals. AI rotations are four weeks from June through November.

This educational and mentorship-based opportunity provides a four-week clinical experience, faculty and resident mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to residency and departmental leadership. This scholarship is not an employment opportunity, does not provide preferential hiring advantages and does not provide a preference or guarantee of being awarded an AI rotation at University Hospitals.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
• Be currently pursuing a medical degree at an LCME- or COCA-accredited institution. 
• Be a full-time final-year MD or DO student in good academic standing. 
• Have completed core internships. 
• Have completed USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 before the start of the rotation. 
• Receive academic institutional approval from their medical school to participate in an acting internship (AI) rotation at University Hospitals. This approval must be secured before scholarship funding can be awarded.

Application and Selection Process

1. Complete the AAMC-VSLO application, selecting your preferred clerkship elective.
2. Submit the David Satcher Acting Intern supplemental application.
3. Clinical departments review and approve AI rotation placements first via VSLO.
4. Once a student has been accepted into an AI rotation, those who indicated interest in the David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship will be considered for funding.

Important Note:

Acceptance into an approved AI rotation does not guarantee scholarship funding. Scholarship decisions are made separately and are based on available funding and applicant eligibility.

For questions about the David Satcher Acting Internship, please email healthimpact@UHhospitals.org.

For questions about the VSLO application process or selection of electives at UH Cleveland Medical Center please email Erin Zawolowycz.

Selecting Acting Internship

Applicants select from internships listed in the VSLO Elective Catalog. Please read the descriptions for the detailed information — some electives may not be offered year-round.

Applications are being accepted for a 4-week block rotation from May 2025 to December 2025. The review process is at the end of March and early April 2025. Note: All visiting student electives are 4-week rotations only.

Please look at the List of Electives on the website to ensure that your elective choice is still open for your block of choice before you apply.

Alternate Internship Choices

In the event that your primary clinical elective selection is filled, you are advised to list two alternate choices.

• Registration in an elective will be confirmed only after the application form has been received and approved. Students will be notified by email of the results of their application.
• There are no two-week electives for visiting students.

Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice and/or general liability insurance is not provided to visiting medical students. This must be provided by the student or his/her medical school. Documented proof of health insurance, malpractice coverage and a record of immunizations are part of the VSLO application. Documentation of student-purchased liability coverage must be confirmed 30 days prior to the start of the elective(s). If your school does not provide such coverage please contact our medical student office immediately.

Health Insurance

The School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University requires all visiting medical students to have valid personal health insurance, whether through their medical school or via personal coverage. University Hospitals Case Western Reserve University does not provide personal health insurance for visiting medical students.

Immunization Requirements

Visiting David Satcher Acting Interns must submit verification of completion of the following immunizations:

• Hepatitis B: series of three doses; serology, if available.
• Measles, mumps and rubella. Immunization or titer, in the case of measles, if the application had the disease, a doctor's signature is required to confirm office record.
• Chicken pox (varicella); if no documented history, an antibody titer to measure immunity is strongly recommended
• Diphtheria/tetanus; record of booster within the past 10 years
• Polio; completed series of immunization indicating type of vaccine, as well as date of last booster
• Tuberculosis: PPD by Mantoux method or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), within the past year prior to completion of David Satcher Acting Internship. If positive, chest x-ray results are required. Students who have received BCG vaccine must specify date and may be required to provide chest x-ray results.

Housing

More information concerning the availability of housing at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is reviewed under the Medical Student Office Visiting Students FAQs.