Emergency Medicine Clerkships, Electives and Acting Internships

• Credits: 5

• Program director: Dr. Kay Leaming-Van Zandt

• Location: Hershey

• Maximum Enrollment: 2 students

• Prerequisites: Completion of third-year core clerkships

• Availability: Offered year-round

• Duration: 4 weeks

• Report to: Jamie Agnew-Gruber

• First Day Details: 8:00 a.m., H1049

Course Description: This four-week rotation is designed for fourth-year medical students with an interest in emergency medicine, pediatrics, or pediatric emergency medicine. Students will complete 15 nine-hour shifts, working alongside senior Emergency Medicine residents and Pediatric Emergency Medicine faculty.

Students complete approximately 18 nine-hour clinical shifts, consisting of six day shifts (6:00 a.m. start times), six evening shifts (2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. start times), and six overnight shifts (10:00 p.m. start times), including one full weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Shifts are assigned by the course coordinator and course director to ensure a broad and balanced clinical experience.

The rotation provides exposure to the full spectrum of conditions seen in a pediatric emergency department. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and take part in pediatric trauma cases and medical resuscitations.

During the rotation, students will evaluate and manage ill and injured children, strengthen their pediatric history-taking and physical examination skills, and assist with basic procedures in the pediatric emergency setting. All clinical activities are conducted under the supervision of Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine faculty and senior Emergency Medicine residents.

This rotation is not open to visiting students.

• Credits: 5 credits

• Course Director: Dr. Tori Snoad

• Location: Hershey

• Maximum Enrollment: 7 students

• Prerequisites: Completion of third-year core clerkships

• Availability: Offered year-round

• Duration: 4 weeks

• Report to: Jamie Agnew-Gruber

• First Day Details: 8:00 a.m., H1049

Course Description: During this four-week clerkship, fourth-year medical students function at the level of an intern, evaluating and managing undifferentiated patients in the Emergency Department. A primary goal of the rotation is to provide students with the opportunity to independently assess patients, develop diagnostic and management plans, and care for acutely ill and injured individuals.

Students complete approximately 18 nine-hour clinical shifts, consisting of six-day shifts (6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., or 8:00 a.m. start times), six evening shifts (2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. start times), and six overnight shifts (10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. start times), including two full weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Shifts are assigned by the course coordinator and course director to ensure a broad and balanced clinical experience. Students work closely with Emergency Medicine faculty and senior residents in the Emergency Department.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, the rotation includes dedicated EMS clinical experience, with optional opportunities to participate in Life Lion critical care transport and flight EMS; however, these opportunities are limited and available only on rare occasions.

Students are required to attend weekly resident conferences on Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as well as student-specific lectures and simulation sessions held Wednesday afternoons.

This rotation is open to both Penn State and visiting 4^th year medical students. Visiting students must be pursuing a career in emergency medicine and are required to apply through VSLO.

VSLO Information:

VSLO opens Wednesday, March 04, 2026.

Available rotation dates are:

• May 11 – June 7, 2026

• June 8 – July 5, 2026

• July 6 – August 2, 2026

• August 3 – August 30, 2026

• August 31 – September 27, 2026

• September 28- October 25, 2026

Please note that off-cycle rotations are not available.

• Credits: 5 credits

• Program leadership: Dr. Tori Snoad

• Location: Hershey

• Maximum Enrollment: 2 students

• Prerequisites: Completion of the first two years of medical school; open to MS3 students only

• Availability: Offered Year-round

• Duration: 4 Weeks

• Report to: Jamie Agnew-Gruber

• First Day Details: 8:00 a.m., H1049

Description: This four-week Emergency Medicine elective is designed for third-year medical students interested in gaining exposure to the specialty of Emergency Medicine. The rotation includes a combination of day, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts.

Students work closely with senior Emergency Medicine residents to develop skills in patient evaluation, clinical presentation, and formulation of differential diagnoses. While students may independently evaluate patients with less acute conditions, they will take a more observational role in the management of critically ill patients.

This rotation is not open to visiting students.