Clinical Shadowing at UC Davis Health

Shadowing with the UC Davis Department of Surgery is an opportunity for individuals who are interested in a career in general surgery, and its sub-specialties, to shadow faculty and team members and learn more about the field. Shadowing can be an excellent way to gain exposure to and become informed about the everyday practice of surgery. Working closely with a healthcare provider helps you to learn about expectations in the field and the challenges and rewards of practicing surgery. Shadowing also allows you to potentially build a relationship with a mentor in the field and ask questions, ultimately helping you to decide if this path is the right one for you.
Shadowing experiences are available with the following divisions in clinic or the operating room as indicated below:

Students older than 16 years, undergraduate pre-medical students, and UC Davis medical students are welcome to apply. To apply, fill out the online application which requires uploading the following forms: 

• Most recent resume/CV 
• Photo ID 
• Confidentiality Agreement form - PDF
• Immunization records* for the following: 
• Flu Shot: Proof of immunization during flu season 
• TB surveillance (provide one of the following): 
• Proof of 2-Step TB skin test within the last year 
• Quantiferon Gold TB test within the last year 
• If you have a history of positive TB skin test, provide documentation and radiology report of a chest x-ray within the past year 
• Varicella (chicken pox; provide one of the following): 
• Proof of immunity (serologic titers or documentation of physician-diagnosed chicken pox) 
• Documentation of 2 doses varicella vaccine 
• Rubeola (measles; provide one of the following): 
• Proof of immunity (serologic titers or documentation of physician-diagnosed measles) 
• Documentation of 2 doses of live measles vaccine on or after your first birthday 
• Mumps: Proof of immunity or documentation of vaccination 
• Rubella: Proof of immunity or documentation of vaccination 
• TDap (tetanus and pertussis): Proof of immunity or documentation of vaccination 
• COVID-19: Proof of vaccination-Vaccination card 
• Observer Screening Requirement form - PDF
       *not required for UCD Medical Students

For non-UC Davis medical students interested in a fourth-year elective, please visit our webpage for Visiting Medical Students for more information. For UC Davis medical students interested in an elective, please visit our webpage on Department of Surgery UC Davis Medical Student Electives.

Once your completed online application is received, the sponsor or rotation you wish to shadow will review your submission along with UC Davis Department of Surgery Administrators. After review, they will either approve or decline your request for an observership. You may be asked to answer additional questions before being granted approval. You will receive their decision in an email along with other instructions 4-weeks from your time of submission. There is no guarantee of placement once the application process is complete. Shadowing is dependent on availability of faculty and successful completion of orientation.