Medical Student Opportunities | UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine Residency Program

Medical Student Elective Rotations

At UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine Residency, we offer several elective rotations for 3rd and 4th year medical students. We accept applicants on a rolling basis. Submit an application.

Outpatient Elective

The UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine Outpatient Elective rotation offers third and fourth-year medical students a dynamic, hands-on experience in ambulatory family medicine. Based at the Shadyside Family Health Center, students will work closely with residents and faculty to refine history-taking, physical exam, and clinical reasoning skills while managing a diverse patient population. This rotation includes opportunities to participate in office-based procedures, sports medicine, and preventive care, along with weekly didactic sessions. Students will progress in clinical independence using the ORIME framework while receiving individualized feedback and mentorship. This rotation gives students an in-depth look at our residency program.

Inpatient Elective

The UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine Acting Internship offers medical students an immersive experience in inpatient family medicine. Based at Shadyside Hospital, students will work alongside residents and family medicine faculty to manage hospitalized patients, refine clinical skills, and develop comprehensive care plans. This hands-on rotation emphasizes history-taking, physical exams, differential diagnosis, and evidence-based management while fostering independence and critical thinking. Students will actively participate in rounds, didactics, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Scheduling Notes

Due to advance office scheduling, all student schedule requests and changes must be made at least four weeks prior to the start of the rotation.

Choose UPMC Shadyside

We take pride in our tradition of academic excellence. The atmosphere at UPMC Shadyside is one in which a resident will become a quality family physician with individuality and time for pursuing personal interests. Faculty members take pride in teaching and have limited private office hours to maximize the teaching experience.

When asked why they enjoyed their experience at Shadyside, many past and present residents comment on the "personality" of the program. It is characterized by the diversity of our faculty, residents, and patients, and provides a strong sense of camaraderie and cohesiveness with a supportive team approach.