The Department of Family Medicine’s MDisability Summer Internship Program, a unique academic program designed for upper-class level college or graduate/professional students, specializes in providing education and research opportunities in disability health. Interns gain experience and connections that put them on track to shape the health care landscape and provide access and equity to people with disabilities.
Meet our 2022 Summer Interns and our MDisability Internship Alumni.
“As someone with a disability, I’ve experienced firsthand many of the challenges and barriers that my colleagues and I set out to tackle through this internship. Having the opportunity to work with these issues and implement real, tangible changes proved to be incredibly rewarding. The lessons I’ve learned, both academically and emotionally, will undoubtedly help inform my future decisions as I pursue a career in medicine.”
Do you have a passion for improving healthcare for individuals with disabilities?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
“I am excited to bring the skills and expertise I have gained to Penn State College of Medicine. I have gained confidence in my knowledge and ability to effectively collaborate with others to critically examine the ways things are done and brainstorm how we can improve accessibility and inclusion."
The annual internship is held during the summer months. It begins during the first full week of June and runs for nine weeks. The internship is based at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. And, virtual options are possible. Please direct any questions to Dawn, the MDisability Program Coordinator, at dawnmi@med.umich.edu.
“The MDisability Summer Internship Program helped me establish a foundation to identify and address disability-related issues throughout my career. I plan to build upon this experience and continue to advocate for people with disabilities as a medical student and ultimately as a physician.”
Applicants able to participate in person will:
“Being a part of the MDisability Internship Program has demonstrated to me the need for and impact of scientific research. I now have a deeper appreciation for the power of scientific research in improving the health of patients by providing guidelines for patient care and changing health care policy.”
Please contact Dawn Michael, MDisability Program Coordinator, at dawnmi@med.umich.edu
