The following opportunities are not located at Geisel/DH but are external opportunities specifically made available for only Geisel students.
BEFORE CONTACTING THESE OPPORTUNITIES YOU MUST VET YOUR PLAN WITH THE MEDICAL STUDENT RESEARCH OFFICE DIRECTLY
Dermatology Research
Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University
The Division of Dermatologic Surgery, Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University has an opening for a gap year research fellow from June 2026 through May 2027. During this mentored research year, students learn to apply the methods of clinical research in order to complete several individual research projects pertaining to skin cancer and skin surgery. While the position is unpaid, gap year students are supported to attend national meetings to present their work, and are also provided appropriate training. All gap year students completing this program during the past 10 years have been successful in matching in dermatology residency.
I am the primary mentor for the gap year student at Northwestern Dermatologic Surgery.
Interested students should email Dr.AlamLab@gmail.com with their CV, Step 1 and 2 score reports (if available), and at least two letters of recommendation from prior clinical or research mentors who know them well. All documents should be combined into one PDF titled the applicant’s first and last name. The application deadline is January 31th, 2026, and interviews will be offered on a rolling basis.
ORTHOPEDICS
Opportunity: Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO
Peter Millett, MD, MED’95, Medical Director and Partner, orthopaedic surgeon
Scheduler, Amanda Rakow. arakow@thesteadmanclinic.com
You can read about the Steadman Clinic here and Vail Hospital here, and Dr. Millett’s professional background here.
Peter Millett is offering a gap year for a Geisel MD student, as well as general research opportunities for other students as his schedule permits. The gap year student would be paid a modest salary and have the opportunity to shadow two Geisel alums, Dr. Peter Millett and Dr. Matthew Provencher. Selected students usually take over the apartment rental of the previous candidate.
In addition, Peter runs several research projects and may be willing (as time allows and likely only during the summer) to have one of his residents, or even Peter himself, help with a first-year student research project.
ADDICTION MEDICINE
Opportunity: urban scholars or individual student research projects in substance abuse, Denver, CO
Julie Taub, MD, MED’01 physician and former Syvertsen Scholar. julie.taub@dhha.org
Julie works at Denver Health, primarily teaching residents and serving patients with addition, especially alcohol addiction among Denver’s homeless population. Julie has offered to work with students on issues facing Denver’s homeless and solutions she has been exploring around substance abuse.
PEDIATRICS
Opportunity: urban scholars, individual student research projects, or clinical modules on child abuse in Minneapolis, MN
Nancy Harper, MD, MED’95, child abuse specialist. nsharper69@gmail.com
You can read more about Nancy’s clinic here and her professional background and honors here.
Nancy has offered a range of opportunities in her clinic in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area. She is happy to host students, help mentor students, and share her teaching materials, many of which were developed during COVID for remote presentations.
REHABILITATION MEDICINE
Possible opportunity: Craig Hospital, Denver, CO
Jandel Allen-Davis, MD, D’80, MD’84, CEO JAllen-Davis@craighospital.org
You can read more about the Craig Hospital here , Jandel’s professional background here and Jandel’s board service here.