David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship
The David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship was established to honor Dr. David Satcher, MD, PhD, a renowned physician, public health leader, and former U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Satcher has dedicated his career to advancing health equity, medical education, and increasing access to medical careers, inspiring future generations of physicians to address disparities in medicine and patient care.
This scholarship is funded through the generous gifts of community members in honor of David Satcher. University Hospitals invites medical students who meet the criteria described below to apply for the David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship, which provides financial support for students completing a clinical acting internship (AI) rotation at University Hospitals. AI rotations are four weeks from June through November.
This educational and mentorship-based opportunity provides a four-week clinical experience, faculty and resident mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to residency and departmental leadership. This scholarship is not an employment opportunity, does not provide preferential hiring advantages and does not provide a preference or guarantee of being awarded an AI rotation at University Hospitals.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Submit a completed application at least 6-8 weeks prior to the accepted rotation start date
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
- Be currently pursuing a medical degree at an LCME- or COCA-accredited institution.
- Be a full-time final-year MD or DO student in good academic standing.
- Have completed core internships.
- Have completed USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 before the start of the rotation.
- Receive academic institutional approval from their medical school to participate in an acting internship (AI) rotation at University Hospitals. This approval must be secured before scholarship funding can be awarded.
Application and Selection Process
- Complete the AAMC-VSLO application, selecting your preferred clerkship elective.
- Submit the David Satcher Acting Intern supplemental application.
- Clinical departments review and approve AI rotation placements first via VSLO.
- Once a student has been accepted into an AI rotation, those who indicated interest in the David Satcher Acting Intern Scholarship will be considered for funding.
Important Note:
Acceptance into an approved AI rotation does not guarantee scholarship funding. Scholarship decisions are made separately and are based on available funding and applicant eligibility.
For questions about the David Satcher Acting Internship, please email healthimpact@UHhospitals.org.
For questions about the VSLO application process or selection of electives at UH Cleveland Medical Center please email Erin Zawolowycz.
Selecting Acting Internship
Applicants select from internships listed in the VSLO Elective Catalog. Please read the descriptions for the detailed information — some electives may not be offered year-round.
| Curriculum Block | Rotation Dates |
|---|---|
| 05/05/2025 – 05/30/2025 | Block 1 |
| 06/02/2025 – 06/27/2025 | Block 2 |
| 06/30/2025 – 07/25/2025 | Block 3 |
| 07/28/2025 – 08/22/2025 | Block 4 |
| 08/25/2025 – 09/19/2025 | Block 5 |
| 09/22/2025 – 10/17/2025 | Block 6 |
| 10/20/2025 – 11/14/2025 | Block 7 |
| 11/17/2025 – 12/12/2025 | Block 8 |
| 12/15/2025 – 01/09/2026 | Block 9 |
| All visiting students’ electives are 4-week rotations only | |
Applications are being accepted for a 4-week block rotation from May 2025 to December 2025. The review process is at the end of March and early April 2025. Note: All visiting student electives are 4-week rotations only.
Please look at the List of Electives on the website to ensure that your elective choice is still open for your block of choice before you apply.
Alternate Internship Choices
In the event that your primary clinical elective selection is filled, you are advised to list two alternate choices.
- Registration in an elective will be confirmed only after the application form has been received and approved. Students will be notified by email of the results of their application.
- There are no two-week electives for visiting students.
Malpractice Insurance
Malpractice and/or general liability insurance is not provided to visiting medical students. This must be provided by the student or his/her medical school. Documented proof of health insurance, malpractice coverage and a record of immunizations are part of the VSLO application. Documentation of student-purchased liability coverage must be confirmed 30 days prior to the start of the elective(s). If your school does not provide such coverage please contact our medical student office immediately.
Health Insurance
The School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University requires all visiting medical students to have valid personal health insurance, whether through their medical school or via personal coverage. University Hospitals Case Western Reserve University does not provide personal health insurance for visiting medical students.
Immunization Requirements
Visiting David Satcher Acting Interns must submit verification of completion of the following immunizations:
- Hepatitis B: series of three doses; serology, if available.
- Measles, mumps and rubella. Immunization or titer, in the case of measles, if the application had the disease, a doctor's signature is required to confirm office record.
- Chicken pox (varicella); if no documented history, an antibody titer to measure immunity is strongly recommended
- Diphtheria/tetanus; record of booster within the past 10 years
- Polio; completed series of immunization indicating type of vaccine, as well as date of last booster
- Tuberculosis: PPD by Mantoux method or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), within the past year prior to completion of David Satcher Acting Internship. If positive, chest x-ray results are required. Students who have received BCG vaccine must specify date and may be required to provide chest x-ray results.
Satcher AI Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions
- If I apply for this scholarship, will my AAMC-VSLO rotation application fee be waived?
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Yes, when applying in AAMC-VSLO for rotations at University Hospitals; if you annotate that you are applying for this scholarship and then do so your application fee will be waived.
Please note that AAMC-VSLO application fees are non-refundable so please make sure that you annotate when applying in AAMC-VSLO to have your fee waived.
- When should I submit my Scholarship application?
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Scholarship applications should be received at least 6-8 weeks prior to your accepted rotation start date. This will give enough time for your information to be entered into the payment system should your scholarship application be accepted. Please see eligibility requirements above.
- Can an incomplete application be processed? How will I know if my application is complete or not?
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It is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure your application is complete before submitting. We will not follow-up on applications that are missing required information, and we cannot manually edit your application for you after you have submitted. We do expect you to pay attention to the application requirements for the scholarship to which you are applying.
- What rotations can the scholarship be applied to?
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Scholarships can be applied to residency program rotations. Scholarships are a one time award and are not renewable should students be undertaking multiple rotations.
- Can I apply to the scholarship if I haven't yet completed Step 1 or COMLEX 1?
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You must have completed USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 before the start of the rotation. Please see eligibility requirements above.
- I am a student at an international medical school. Am I eligible for the scholarship?
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You must be currently pursuing a medical degree at an LCME or COCA-accredited institution. Please see eligibility requirements above.
- I am a student at a US medical school that is not LCME or COCA accredited. Am I eligible for the scholarship?
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You must be currently pursuing a medical degree at an LCME or COCA-accredited institution. Please see eligibility requirements above.
- I already graduated from medical school. Am I eligible to apply for this scholarship?
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You must be in your final year of an accredited US medical school at the time of your rotation. We recognize that some LCME or COCA accredited medical school programs are three years, some are four years, and some allow for a year of research thereby making it a five year program. Thus to be equitable – a requirement to apply for this scholarship is to be in your final year of a LCME or COCA accredited medical school at the time of your rotation. Please see eligibility requirements above.
- Can I submit a letter/email reiterating my interest in rotating at University Hospitals?
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Please do not send communication to the Office of Health Impact office solely for the purpose of reiterating your interest in rotating at the University Hospitals. We will not include this type of communication as a part of your scholarship application. If the electives to which you are applying to require additional written materials and you'd like to share more about your interest there, you are welcome to do so. We will of course assume that because you have applied, you are interested in being here!
- How are applications processed by the Office of Health Impact through for the Satcher AI Scholarship?
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Applications are reviewed for eligibility after being accepted by the clinical department through AAMC-VSLO. At that point, your materials are reviewed in more detail and a determination is made as to whether you are a good candidate as a recipient for the scholarship in question. We do not consider, and will not forward, emails or letters reiterating your interest in rotating at University Hospitals to clinical departments.
- How long does review of my application take?
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It is not possible for us to provide a specific length of time. We review scholarship applications for eligibility once AAMC-VSLO applications for rotations have been accepted and approved by the clinical departments. Each clinical department has a different volume of applications and number of spaces available, so application review timelines can vary.
- How can I find out about the status of my application?
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Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to give regular updates about the status of an application.
- How will I know if I am accepted?
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Scholarship Acceptances are communicated through the email annotated in your application.
- I know a faculty member who has told me that I may attend their elective via this scholarship. Is automatic acceptance allowed?
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University Hospitals does require all visiting students to complete an application for rotations via AAMC-VSLO for the clinical departments to determine the rotation decision. If the faculty member would like to accept you to their elective, they must do so through the formal application process like all other applicants. If you are applying for the Satcher AI Scholarship, University Hospitals also requires all interested students to complete an application for the scholarship just like all other applicants.
- What should my two Letters of Recommendation speak to?
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They should speak to your candidacy as a recipient of the scholarship. They should also speak to your academic and clinical rigor in your accepted rotation.
- Can my recommender(s) send the letters separately?
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To prevent any delays in reviewing your application we strongly suggest that you upload everything together including the two letters of recommendation. However, we do recognize that some individuals will want to send letters separately; please understand that this will cause delays but they can do so by clearly identifying the applicant and emailing them directly to HealthImpact@UHhopsitals.org.
- How can I find out more information about housing options during my rotation?
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University Hospitals does not endorse, facilitate, or recommend specific housing options for the duration of your stay. Please see Visiting Students FAQs as reviewed under the Medical Student Office for resources.