Select Page

Clerkships

by Mar 13, 2019

Clerkships are a course of clinical medical training usually lasting a minimum of several weeks that take place during the third or fourth year of medical school; they typically allow the participant a chance to learn a specialty. When you get to the clinical stages of your education at National, there are some opportunities for positions outside of the school clinic to pick-up clinical skills. Those in the chiropractic program can apply to work in a few different VA hospitals and at the Medical College of Wisconsin. To get to participate in one of these programs you need to apply and fulfill any of the additional requirements that the program has for admission.

Because of my involvement in the acupuncture and oriental medicine program, I was eligible for a clerkship at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Now in my tenth week, I am about one-third of the way through my time working in the pain clinic at the hospital, and I have already learned so much!

proj_stroger_hospitalJohn H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois

Cook County hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center that takes care of the city of Chicago’s underserved, many of whom I have had the privilege to treat who would not otherwise have access to alternative health care services. There is nothing quite like helping people get out of pain, so that they can live their lives. I gain so much more than just skills and treatment protocols by being there. I get to talk to people, and they trust me with their stories. I find myself humbled pretty much every time that I am there as my patients show me just how much I still have to learn.

The chiropractic program has a similar opportunity to work with patients in this community through the Salvation Army Clinic Internship. If you choose to go to “Salvi,” as it is affectionately called, to complete the clinical internship phase of your education, then you will be there for your eighth, ninth, and tenth trimesters. I have heard from other students that they enjoyed seeing the greater variety of patients to whom they were exposed while working there.

Stroger 2-1

I still have one more term to go before I can select which clinic shift I am going to be completing the clinical phase of my schooling on — expect some discussion on the matter as I am making my choice this summer! 

Follow NUHS on Social Media

About the Author

Sarah Montesa

Sarah Montesa

My name is Sarah, and I have been a student on the NUHS Lombard campus since Fall of 2014. Right now, I am pursuing dual degrees in Chiropractic and Oriental Medicine.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Older Adults and Health

Older Adults and Health

It is important for older adults to maintain a habit of physical activity in order to increase strength and mobility. The recommendation for physical activity in adults that are 65+ is at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, as well as two days...

read more
Ultrasound in Sports Medicine

Ultrasound in Sports Medicine

Ultrasound is an effective imaging modality for the evaluation of upper extremities in sports; therefore, chiropractic physicians should be aware of its usage. Many patients will come in with shoulder pain or instability, and ultrasound is ideal in the assessment of...

read more
Dermatological Infestations

Dermatological Infestations

Becoming aware of common dermatological infestations is important as we enter into a chiropractic or naturopathic practice. The history of exposure stems from shared combs, borrowed clothing, a recent stay in a hotel and sexual contact with an infested individual....

read more

Defining the future of integrated health care.