Healthcare Disparities Externship

The Healthcare Disparities in Emergency Medicine externship at Carolinas Medical Center offers medical students hands-on clinical experience in a busy Level 1 trauma ED while learning about social drivers of health and healthcare disparities. Students function as interns under attending supervision, treat diverse patient populations, complete a self-directed healthcare disparities project, and engage with community resources addressing food/housing insecurity and mental health services. The program includes a $1,200 stipend, SLOE letter of evaluation, and experiential learning opportunities with specialized teams such as the Human Trafficking Advocacy Team and Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program. This program explicitly welcomes students from underrepresented backgrounds and those passionate about addressing healthcare disparities. Applications go through the AAMC's VSLO service, which charges its own application fee.