Pediatrics and Med-Peds Clerkships and Acting Internships

The Pediatric clerkship is a four-week clerkship where students care for children with a breadth of diseases. Working in inpatient, outpatient and newborn nursery settings, students see children from birth to 18 years with a variety of complaints, ranging from performing well-child checks to managing children with chronic illnesses, behavioral issues and acute concerns requiring hospitalization. Students learn how to obtain pediatric histories, pediatric physical exams, perform anticipatory guidance, developmental assessments and give advice to families of children of all ages. Learning the breadth of pediatric diagnoses, development of age and symptom specific differential diagnoses, and the role of quality improvement and clinical pathways in optimizing the health system is a focus.

Locations

Mount Nittany Health-Pediatrics-Bellefonte
129 Medical Park Lane
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Mount Nittany Health-Pediatrics-Boalsburg
3901 S. Atherton St.
State College, PA 16801

University Health Services
438 Student Health Center
University Park, PA 16802

Penn State Medical Group
Windmere Centre 476 Rolling Ridge Dr. Suite 101
State College, PA 16801

Mount Nittany Medical Center
Inpatient Pediatrics and Nursery 1800 E. Park Ave.
State College, PA 16803

Contact Us

Dr. Michael McShane
Assistant Director of Core Clinical Medicine Assistant Professor of Medicine

• Email: mmcshane@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

• Phone: 814-689-6711

Sondra Struble
Clerkship coordinator

• Email: sstruble@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

• Phone: 814-689-6711

• Course director: Dr. Conrad Krawiec

• Administrative coordinator: Sarah Miller

• Email: smiller29@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

• Phone: 717-531-3683

Description: The pediatric critical care acting internship provides students the opportunity to care for children with life-threatening pediatric conditions, allowing students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to assess, stabilize and/or resuscitate, and plan the initial management of critically ill children. The student will function as part of a multidisciplinary team providing direct care to critically ill neonates, infants, and children suffering from a variety of pediatric illnesses, including (but not limited to) respiratory failure, sepsis, congenital heart disease, neurologic emergencies, traumatic brain injury, other traumatic injuries, and ingestions. It is expected that AIs will have already completed their core Pediatrics clerkship prior to their Pediatric Critical Care Acting Internship.

• Course director: Dr. Justen Aprile

• Administrative coordinator: Sarah Miller

• Email: smiller29@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

• Phone: 717-531-3683

Description: The Pediatric AI offers the opportunity for fourth-year medical students to serve as an intern provider on a team caring for hospitalized pediatric patients. Building on the prerequisite requirements of third-year core clerkships, students will be expected to function within a multi-disciplinary team and show increased independence and decision making while sharpening differential diagnoses, physical exam skills, oral presentations and medical documentation.

• Course director: Dr. Andrew Freiberg

• Course coordinator: Sydney McQuown

Description: The fourth-year Pediatric Hematology/Oncology is a true elective rotation in which the student will follow patients, present on rounds, and be available to respond to patient needs under resident and attending supervision.

• Course director: Dr. Patrick Gavigan

• Course coordinator: Tawn Boltz

• Course director: Dr. Natalie Allen

• Course coordinator: Rachel Gage

Description: Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders, including diabetes.

• Course director: Dr. Patricia Gordon

• Course coordinator: Veronica Clark

Description: Students are exposed to the broad knowledge base in human and medical genetics; skills are developed in the diagnosis of a wide range of genetic disorders, in the ability to record and interpret individual and family histories, in the integration of clinical and genetic information to provide genetic risk assessments and appropriate genetic counseling.

• Course director: Dr. Timothy Palmer

• Course coordinator: Anessa Herrera

Description: During this clinical acting internship, students will be responsible for the day-to-day management of patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This rotation may also be used as an elective for those interested in Pediatrics or Obstetrics. The goal of the rotation is to provide education in the care and management of patients in the NICU including: organizational skills required for this acute care setting, daily exam and management, and documentation. The student will have the opportunity to become skilled in procedures such as neonatal resuscitation, umbilical line placement, phlebotomy, and intravenous access as well as other procedures that arise in the daily activities of the unit. The student will also learn process of lab result evaluation, neonatal resuscitation, respiratory support, and ventilation, fluid and electrolyte management, and nutrition management in the NICU patient population. The student will be expected to participate in on-call activities every fourth evening or overnight with the senior pediatric resident, neonatal fellow, or neonatal nurse practitioner. The focus of patient care will be on those diseases commonly associated with prematurity, congenital syndromes, cardiac anomalies, surgical issues, and infections. The student will also be actively involved with teaching rounds, radiology conferences, and multidisciplinary discharge planning. A copy of the curriculum and list of responsibilities of the Neonatal Acting Intern is available via e-mail from the director.

• Course director: Dr. Katie McHale

• Course director: Dr. Gretchen Hackett

• Course coordinator: Monica Hacker

Description: This is an outpatient rotation offereing a broad experience in the diagnosis, assessment, and management of infants, children, and adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease. Students will be based in the Pediatric Cardiology outpatient clinic at 121 North Nyes Road, Suite D, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Additional experiences (about 25% of the time) include observations in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, electrophysiology laboratory, cardiothoracic surgery operating room, exercise stress testing and non-invasvive cardiac imaging.

• Course director: Dr. Ronald Williams

• Course coordinator: Dana Caldwell, Emma Narber, and Michele McFeaters

• Course coordinator: Michelle White

Description: This course will reinforce to third and fourth year medical students basic concepts in the diagnosis and management of children with respiratory conditions and sleep neuro-behavioral abnormalities.

• Course director: Dr. Jeanette Ramer

• Course coordinator: Lori Norris

Description: This course provides exposure to basic concepts for diagnosis and management of children with behavior problems and developmental delays. Students will have the opportunity to work with behavioral pediatricians, geneticists and educational specialists to be able to develop a broader view of how problems in this specialty are evaluated and treated. Students will be able to work with community providers based on their stated interests. This would include observation of speech and language, sensory processing, audiology and motor assessments. Inpatient rounding on the pediatric rehabilitation service is also possible and strongly encouraged.

• Course director: Dr. Alex Horwitz

• Course coordinator: Trinh Mai

Description: This course is designed to introduce fourth-year medical students to the basics of evaluation and management of pediatric patients with allergic and immunologic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, drug allergy, and food allergy, and the evaluation and management of respiratory and cutraneous abnormalities. They will also become familiar with the common medications used to treat these conditions, and understand potential side effects and drug interactions. They will also learn non-pharmacologic therapy, such as environmental control measures and food allergen avoidance, and its role in the treatment of allergic disease. This course will prepare the students to solidify their skills in assessment and management of cough, wheeze, dyspnea, rhinitis, rash, and recurrent infections. They also will learn those procedures and tests, such as allergy skin testing, pulmonary function testing, immunotherapy, oral food challenges, drug desensitization, and laboratory studies that are commonly used to help establish a correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Students on this elective will be an integral part of the Allergy and Immunology Team and will personally evaluate and discuss management of patients on the inpatient ward and/or in the outpatient clinic on a daily basis. Didactic experience during the elective will include a weekly conference which includes case conferences, journal club, lectures from guest speakers, and presentations by the allergy immunology attending physicians, fellows, and rotating residents. Students will be expected to demonstrate evidence of independent reading on allergy and immunology topics, and to attend scheduled conferences each week. The overall goal of this elective is to allow students to gain the basic skills and knowledge necessary for initial evaluation and management of common allergic and immunologic problems encountered in primary care and outpatient or inpatient settings. Focus will be placed on review of common allergic problems including asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis. Students will also be encouraged to hone their skills in obtained a history and performing a physical examination, with special attention paid to HEENT, pulmonary, and skin exams. Evaluation methods will include subjective evaluation by the attending faculty of the student’s fund of knowledge and patient care skills and evaluation, using a rubric, by the attending faculty of a case conference given by the student during the weekly conference. This course will be offered throughout the entire academic year.

Learning opportunities will include:

1. Evaluation and discussion of allergic and immunologic patients on the consultation service and in the outpatient clinic.

2. Student preparation of case presentations and /or subject presentations on topics discussed.

3. Attendance at a weekly three hour conference, which includes case conferences, journal club, lectures from guest speakers, and presentations by the allergy immunology attending physicians, fellows, and rotating residents.

4. Emphasis will be placed on common allergic and immunologic diagnoses and problems. Topics which will be covered include:

   • Allergic rhinitis

   • Allergic conjunctivitis

   • Atopic dermatitis

   • Asthma

   • COPD

   • Cough

   • Urticaria/angioedema

   • Hereditary angioedema

   • Chronic urticaria

   • Food allergy

   • Eosinophilic esophagitis

   • Drug Allergy

   • Stinging insect allergy

   • Latex allergy

   • Sinusitis and recurrent otitis media

   • Immunodeficiency (congenital and acquired) with compatible symptoms

   • Anaphylaxis

Time spend on individual topics will be dependent on the mix of patients on the service and in the clinic. However, all of the above topics will be covered regardless of patient mix.

• Course director: Dr. Sabeen Habib

• Course coordinator: Veronica Clark

Description: Clinical application of basic concepts in the diagnosis and management of children with acute and chronic renal disease, renal electrolyte abnormalities, hypertension and voiding dysfunction. The student is fully integrated into the flow of patient care and will be expected to see patients and write notes on a daily basis. S/he will be expected to present cases and prepare weekly talks on a variety of common pediatric renal and electrolyte problems. A pre and post test are given.

• Course director: Dr. Sabeen Habib

• Course coordinator: Veronica Clark

Description: This course is designed to introduce third year medical students to the basics of evaluation and management of children with kidney disease or hypertension, and to specifically to solidify skills gained in fluid and electrolyte management during third year core clerkships including Pediatrics or Medicine, and in the year II Renal block. Students on this elective will serve as an integral part of the Pediatrics Nephrology team, personally evaluating and discussing management of patients on the inpatient, consult, and outpatient Pediatric Nephrology services. Didactic experiences will include daily, one-on-one discussions with the attending physician(s) on the Pediatric Nephrology service. Students will be expected to demonstrate evidence of independent reading in Pediatric Nephrology topics, and to attend scheduled Pediatric Nephrology and selected Pediatrics conferences.

• Course director: Dr. Kathryn McCans

• Course coordinator: Crystal McGuire

PED 755 - Pediatric Adolescent Elective

• Course director: Dr. Jennifer Shook

• Course coordinator: Sarah Miller

• Course director: Dr. Sunil Naik

• Course coordinator: Lynn Smith

Description: Intensive exposure to neurological problems of childhood, including epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, central nervous system malignancies, and neuromuscular disease. One-on-one instruction is complemented by conferences in neurology, neuroscience, neurophysiology, and developmental pediatrics. The students will be responsible for inpatient consultations as well as new consultations in the pediatric neurology outpatient clinics.

PED 796 - Pediatric Research

PED 797 - Pediatric Special Topics

• Course director: Faculty Advisor

Thank you for your interest in a visiting medical student pediatric rotation at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa. Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital offers multiple acting internships/sub-internships and subspecialty electives for fourth-year medical students interested in pediatrics or medicine-pediatrics that are viewable on the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) website. All applicants must apply through the VSLO website.

If an elective goes unfilled by a Penn State College of Medicine student, it will then be opened to those fourth-year visiting medical students who have applied through VSLO. Kindly keep in mind that applying is not a guarantee that an offer will be extended. Reminders when applying:

• All rotations are 4 weeks long.

• Requests for 2-week rotations cannot be accommodated.

• Requests for off cycle rotations (different start/end dates) cannot be accommodated.

VSLO and Academic Year 2026-27 Rotation Schedule

VSLO will open to apply for rotations on March 12, 2026. When you apply for your rotation(s), you will not be updated on your application status until about 7 to 8 weeks before the rotation start date (i.e., after the “drop date.”). Penn State College of Medicine does not allow visiting student offers to go out before then. Please see a list of rotation date options below and the associated drop dates:

Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 26-29, 2026
Winter Break: Dec. 21-Jan. 3, 2027

To increase your chances of a successful match:

• Because of the College of Medicine's student rotation requirements and the high volume of visiting student applicants, please apply to as many rotations as you are willing, noting that elective rotations can provide an excellent educational experience in the children’s hospital as well as acting internships.

• Include in your VSLO application the reason why you are applying for a particular rotation at Penn State College of Medicine.

• If an offer is to be extended, employee health documents will be requested and will need to be submitted in a timely fashion.

Thank you again for your interest. Please direct any questions to Sarah Miller at smiller29@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.