Visiting Student Electives

Students Accepted for Visiting Elective Rotations

Each year, visiting students from across the United States participate in elective experiences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and its affiliated hospitals. Innovations at the UMKC School of Medicine challenge and encourage medical students to become competent and caring physicians.

UMKC’s residency programs do the same through the participation of local primary affiliated hospitals:

  • University Health
  • University Health-Lakewood
  • Saint Luke’s Hospital
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital
  • Center for Behavioral Medicine

The UMKC School of Medicine and its affiliated hospitals offer residencies, including:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • General Surgery,
  • Internal Medicine
  • Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • OB/GYN
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Pathology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry

Additional sub-specialty fellowship programs include Cardiology, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Infectious Diseases, Gastroenterology, and others. Residents and Fellows enjoy a close and supportive relationship with the faculty, staff, and students, and experience active and diverse clinical opportunities.

The UMKC School of Medicine accepts visiting students currently enrolled in a domestic LCME- or COCA-accredited programs for participation in clinical elective rotations. Post-graduate M.D.s or D.O.s will not be scheduled into medical student electives.

UMKC only accepts visiting international students from our three affiliated international institutions. No exceptions will be made. They include:

  • Harbin Medical University – Harbin, China
  • Medical University of Graz – Graz, Austria
  • Instituto Tecnológico Y De Estudios Superiores de Monterrey – Monterrey, Mexico

St. Luke’s Hospital only accepts students from UMKC, Kansas City University, and international students from the SABA University School of Medicine.

Elective Placement Process

UMKC students are given priority in the elective placement process. Elective applications are accepted in April for electives offered in Blocks 1-8 (Summer and Fall semesters) and in August for electives offered in Blocks 9-13 (Spring Semester). Final confirmation on electives will not be made until 6-8 weeks prior to the start of each rotation.

The UMKC School of Medicine offers elective rotations according to the school's block schedule, which is also listed in the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) system. All prospective visiting students currently enrolled in LCME or D.O. accredited programs must submit the required application materials in the VSLO system. 

The 2024-2025 catalog opened April 1, 2024. Notifications of approval/denial 6-8 weeks ahead of rotation start date.

General Directions for Elective Scheduling

Domestic visiting students should view the available elective offerings on the VSLO page. Our institution page is listed as “U Missouri Kansas City SOM”. 

International visiting students from the three affiliated international institutions should work with their home coordinator and contact Ms. Sarah McKee to discuss options.

Maximum Number of Electives for Visiting Students

Visiting students are limited to two 4-week elective rotations. No exceptions will be made to this maximum.

Application Requirements and Processes

Visiting students must:

  • Submit the required application materials and verification information in the VSLO system
  • Be in good academic standing as verified by their home institution in VSLO
  • Have been instructed on OSHA safety measures and infection control processes
  • Show proof of BLS certification dates (ACLS is required for some rotations)
  • Take electives for credit at their home institution
  • Have malpractice insurance coverage of $1,000,000 per instance and $3,000,000 aggregate
  • Hold personal health insurance
  • Meet University Health immunization requirements and complete onboarding
  • Have complied with HIPAA Training Requirements
  • Provide the date of a completed criminal background check
  • Provide verification that USMLE Step I or COMLEX-USA Level I has been passed
  • Provide Curriculum Vita
  • Provide academic transcripts
  • Provide clear photo (.png or .jpg format) on a white background
  • Complete required paperwork/onboarding and provide their SSN
  • Complete all other requirements as specified by department
  • Clerkship completion dates must be verified by home institution

Rotation Details

The UMKC School of Medicine offers elective rotations according to the school's block schedule, which is also listed in VSLO.

Contact Information

Main Visiting Student Electives Contact:
Petra Bricker
Email

Children’s Mercy Hospital Contact:
Holly Frey
Email
Children’s Mercy student electives and sub-internships

Saint Luke’s Hospital Electives:
Saint Luke’s Hospital only accepts students from UMKC, Kansas City University (KCU) and international students from SABA University School of Medicine. KCU students should work with their home school electives coordinator to schedule elective rotations. SABA students, please contact Fernie Bahena.