Internship Program

Advancing evidence based medicine and improving health care quality by supporting education and collaborative research, locally and globally, through…

…providing internship opportunities

RMEC strives to provide area college students interested in careers in the health professions with an opportunity to experience a real world medical setting through its Internship Program.  The program has enrolled participating physicians and physical therapists throughout the La Plata County medical community to provide students the opportunity to gain further understanding of medicine as a career. 

The primary goals of RMEC’s internship program are to foster an interest in medicine as a career, improve the student’s understanding of the practice of medicine in a rural setting, and to increase the opportunities for local students of achieving admittance to medical school.  The internship program was inherited in 2008 from Spine Colorado, where interns were hosted by Dr. Jim Youssef and his colleagues at Durango Orthopedics beginning as early as 2003.  Over the past 8 years, more than 22 interns have gone through our doors.   Of those students we have been able to track, 6 have gone on to medical school, 4 have attended Physicians’ Assistant school, and one has completed a Ph.D. program in chemistry, one completed an MBA program, one is in clinical research, one is a physical therapist, and six are in the process of application to medical and PA schools. 

The RMEC Internship experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world setting; interns see first-hand how a diagnosis is made, the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship, and the roles of the various medical professionals in a clinical setting.  Learning objectives vary with the intern placement, but typically include some of the following:

• To observe how medical professionals interact with patients
• To learn the organization of a clinical practice
• To gain knowledge in medical terminology and current topics in medicine

Additionally, placements may provide opportunities for qualified students to observe surgeries, contribute to medical research and contribute to scientific manuscripts. Guidance is provided in developing a professional resume, applying to professional schools, creating a successful admissions application essay, and job search skills.  An ‘Intern Handbook’ provides information and clarity as to the expectations and the opportunity.  

Interested students and physicians are encouraged to contact Caitlyn at caitlyn@resourcesmec.org or 970.375.3649.  A summary of the program can be downloaded here.

In order to continue and to grow this program purposefully, we are seeking the support of private donors, local businesses, and grants. Donors, businesses, and foundation grant support will be recognized in many ways, including through stipends named in honor of the supporter.  For more on how to give, download the program summary for donors.