Observership
The Department of Medicine is pleased to offer the opportunity for physicians from around the world to observe our physicians, residents, and fellows in practice. The goal of the Observership Program is to provide a basic overview of the American medical system.
For more information on Observership opportunities available, please contact:
| Cardiology | Jefferey Montalbano | cardiologyobserver@upstate.edu |
| Endocrine | Michelle Haight | endocrineobserver@upstate.edu |
| Gastroenterology | Nikki Masullo | gastroenterologyobserver@upstate.edu |
| Primary Care – Internal Medicine | Dominique Harris | internalmedicineobserver@upstate.edu |
| Dermatology | Yolanda King | dermatologyobserver@upstate.edu |
| Hematology/Oncology | Kristi Robinson | hemoncobserver@upstate.edu |
| Infectious Disease | Danielle Scott | infectiousdiseaseobserver@upstate.edu |
| Nephrology | Mary Lynn West | nephrologyobserver@upstate.edu |
| Pulmonary | Shania Edwards-King | pulmonaryobserver@upstate.edu |
| Rheumatology | Rosa Trpcevski | rheumatologyobserver@upstate.edu |
| Geriatrics | Anne Lutz | geriatricsobserver@upstate.edu |
| Hospital Medicine | Leah Melfi | hospitalmedicineobserver@upstate.edu |
| Quality Improvement & Patient Safety | Yolanda King | QIDOMObservership@upstate.edu |
Application Process
In order to maintain security for the SUNY Upstate Medical University campus, privacy of protected health information, and the appropriate Employee Health clearance, visitors to University Hospital sites of service must be properly logged according to the policy of Visiting Health Care Providers, which covers individuals who are visiting the campus for the purpose of learning, training, observing, or delivering direct or indirect patient care for a brief period of time. Observership Privileges must be obtained for Visiting Health Care Providers through the Medical Staff Office. Observers will not be granted privileges for direct patient care.
Please contact the representative listed above for your desired Obervership to discuss your potential opportunities and the availability of Observerships in your division(s) of interest.
- Applicants must have TAKEN and PASSED (on first attempt) Step 1 with a minimum score of 200
- Applicants must have TAKEN and PASSED (on first attempt) Step 2 CK with a minimum score of 200
- Applicants must have TAKEN and PASSED (on first attempt) Step 2 CS
- Applicants must submit a copy of their Medical School Transcript
- Applicants must submit a copy of their valid ECFMG Certificate
- Applicants must provide a Letter of Reference from someone they worked with in a clinical environment.
Applications (see links in Department of Medicine Application Information) and all supporting documents (as noted on the application) must be received at least 8 weeks prior to the requested start date to allow for processing. Rotations can range from two to four weeks in length and can be renewed for additional weeks, pending divisional and Medical Staff Office approval.
We DO NOT accept any observers in July due to new incoming residents and fellows.
There is a $300.00 (US Funds) non-refundable application fee, which must be submitted with the application via certified check or money order, made payable to Upstate Medical University, Department of Medicine/MSG. Personal Checks will not be accepted. Since application fees are non-refundable, please be sure that you confirm rotation availability with the appropriate divisional contact PRIOR to mailing in any documentation or funds.
There is an additional rotation fee, once the application is accepted, which MUST be paid prior to the rotation start date, via certified check or money order. Divisional contacts can provide additional detail after rotations are confirmed.
All associated costs with the Observership process (visa processing, travel, health clearance, lodging, etc.) will be the sole responsibility of the applicant. Upstate Medical University is in no way responsible for processing or host costs.
- Department of Medicine Observership Application
- Observership Rotation Request Form
Medical Staff Application Information
(To be completed if application is approved)
- Visiting Health Care Provider (Observer Only)
- Certificate of Health Form (found by following the link - it's located about midway down the page)
- Downtown Campus Orientation Guide & Completion Certificate (found by following link)
- HIPAA Privacy Rule Education & Completion Certificate (found by following link)
Your request for an Observership will be processed upon receipt of your application and supporting documents. Applications will not be processed without all the required documents.
Specific reporting instructions will be included in your acceptance correspondence and will be based on the rotations in which you are scheduled to participate.
Upon final approval and clearance, you will be directed to report to the payroll office with an additional form of photo identification in order to obtain an ID badge. At the completion of your rotation, return the ID badge to the Observership Navigator or Payroll office. ID badges must be worn at all times.
Observers are expected to dress in a professional manner. T-shirts, cutoffs, open-toe shoes, etc. are not allowed. It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes. Lab coats must be worn at all times.
During your rotation, you will be evaluated by the attending you are working with, and you will also have the opportunity to evaluate them as well. You may print the evaluations here, or you can pick them up from the Observership Navigator. Please provide us with an evaluation form for each attending you work with and give the attending an evaluation form to complete about you.
Evaluation: Observer of Attending
Evaluation: Attending of Observer
You are responsible for all parking costs. Parking passes must be obtained directly from the Parking Office, located in Room 1519, University Hospital.
It is required that you wear a Lab Coat during your rotation and while on the premises of Upstate Medical University. You are responsible for providing your own lab coat; one will not be provided for you.
Services vary with each specialty. Once approved, the Observership Navigator will provide your specific working hours.
The sponsoring institution does not provide funding for meals. You are responsible for all meals.
Observers are responsible for securing their own accommodations. There are many quality hotels nearby. Another popular option among observers is renting or subletting rooms on Craigslist.org or Airbnb. We do recommend being cautious when using this option. A list of nearby options will be provided upon acceptance of the application.
Once your assignment has been confirmed via e-mail, you are expected to complete the rotation, as we will close out that rotation to other learners. While cancellations may be necessary in the event of an emergency, money paid for rotations will only be refunded if we are notified a minimum of 30 calendar days in advance. No refunds will be given if cancellation takes place less than 30 days to the start of the rotation or during the rotation itself. As stated earlier, the $300 Application Fee is non-refundable under any circumstance. If you want to change the date to a later time after already confirming your dates with the Observership Navigator, you will need to re-apply.
Upstate Medical University reserves the right to terminate an Observer’s rotation at any time in the event that the Observer’s performance jeopardizes a patient’s well-being or performance is unable to achieve the objectives of the educational experience. If termination of rotation is warranted, a pro-rated fee will be refunded to the Observer for the time left in the rotation. However, the $300 application fee remains Non-Refundable.
Your identification badge will allow you to gain access as a visitor to the Medical School Library facilities.
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Health Sciences Library
766 Irving Avenue, Weiskotten Hall
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: (315) 464-7091
Information will be provided regarding regularly scheduled conferences and didactic sessions based on the specific rotation in which you are scheduled to participate.
Excused absences are limited to one day per two-week rotation. If a problem arises, please see the Observership Navigator and the Supervising Physician for approval. Unexcused absences may result in termination of the rotation and inability to obtain a completion certificate. Please see Termination Policy above regarding refunds of monies paid in the event of termination.
At the completion of the approved rotation, Observers will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation and length of rotation at Upstate Medical University.
We look forward to seeing you and hope your rotation with us is educationally rewarding. If you have any question, please feel free to contact the specialties Observership Program Navigator – we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
Please refer to the following links/websites to learn more about our program and the Syracuse area and for the latest updates on what is happening in the city during the time of your visit.
Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, shall admit students of any race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam veteran, to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to all of the students involved in any of the Clinic’s educational programs.
Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origins or ancestry, handicap, or status as a disabled or military veteran in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, training programs, stipend awards and all other such administrated programs.
Acceptance of an individual to the Observership Program does not constitute a commitment by Upstate Medical University or the Department of Medicine to interview or accept the individual for residency training in the Department of Medicine or any residency or fellowship program at Upstate Medical University.
