Summer Externship Experience

Program Goals

The Family Health Foundation of Illinois Summer Externship Experience provides an opportunity for pre- clinical medical students (currently first or second year students) who are involved with their campus FMIG to experience a practical, clinical learning environment in the office of an Illinois family physician leader.

For 2024, the Family Health Foundation of Illinois offers a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and a Full Scope Rural Medicine Small Practice Summer Externship Experience and new this year the UIC/Pilsen Food Pantry Summer Externship.  You can apply for any of the three, and you may apply for more than one, just be sure to complete the essay question for each one. 

Each experience includes a $1500 stipend for the student.  The first half is paid upon completion of the agreement and securing of the schedule with the preceptor.  The remaining $750 is paid upon completion of the four weeks, with all weekly reports and final evaluation submitted online. 

NOTE:  Students must ensure that their medical school's liability insurance policy will cover their time at their externship site.  If not, the student will be required to obtain a temporary policy at their own expense via www.academicgroup.com.      

This experience will expose the student to:  

1. A wide range of clinical and social determinants of health issues seen by family physicians in outpatient and inpatient settings;
2. The variety of experiences and rewards of family medicine careers
3. Examining the family physicians’ relationship in collaboration with other health care providers
4. Observing role of a family physician in his/her community.
5. Leadership perspective through observation and participation with your preceptor.

Expectations and Objectives

While the individual student’s experience may vary dependent upon the preceptor’s practice, the following expectations and objectives will be a part of all students’ experience in the Summer Externship Experience.

During the externship, the student is expected to:

• Arrive on time at the location as set by your preceptor.
• Express an interest in the underlying content material of family medicine
• Interact courteously and professionally with all staff and patients.
• Ask for help when needed.
• Listen to and accept feedback in a constructive manner.
• Ask good questions to learn more about the physician, the practice and community.
• Submit a weekly online report summarizing your activity and memorable encounters (instructions and link to be provided).
• Contact Ginnie Flynn ([email protected] or 773-754-1185) to report any problems or unexpected changes in scheduling.

Following the externship, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate commitment to patient care and the ability to establish a rapport with patients.
• Ask questions about and express some understanding of the nature of family medicine.
• Recognize the potential importance of the family and home environment and other social determinants impact on health.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of family physicians to their community.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and the appropriate use of community resources available for comprehensive patient care.
• Take a history that is appropriate for their level of training.
• Perform a physical examination that is appropriate for their level of training.

Concluding your experience and collecting the $1500 stipend.

• First half of stipend will be paid by electronic deposit after student signs and returns extern agreement for their specific externship experience
• Student must complete all requirements and attend all scheduled days of externship.  Should student fail to start and finish the externship as agreed, we will seek to recover the initial $750 payment. 
• Student will complete an online final evaluation and attend an in-person site visit (date and location TBD) with preceptor and program staff in order to receive second half of stipend payment $750 via electronic deposit.
• Students will receive a 1099 from the IRS for their income taxes for that year.