The UMDNJ-SOM OPTI (Osteopathic Post-Doctoral Training Institution) provides clinical rotations to Year III and Year IV students from other osteopathic schools. A variety of rotations are available at the following affiliate hospitals: The three Kennedy Health System hospitals (KHS) in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township; Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden; and Christ Hospital in Jersey City.

The four southern hospitals (KHS and Lourdes) are located in South Jersey, close to Philadelphia. Click here to see map and directions. Christ Hospital is in North Jersey, close to New York City.

Clinical rotations are scheduled on a year-round basis. However, rotations must begin on a Monday (unless the Monday is a holiday) and run for four weeks in length. There are a limited number of two-week rotations that may be possible, but must be investigated on a case-by-case basis. Rotations may begin on any Monday. Rotations may not be started or ended mid-week. If your school prefers rotations to start on the first of the month, pick the Monday closest to the first.

The academic year runs from June until the following May each year. Applications for the current academic year are processed as they arrive. Applications for the next academic year (June onward) will not be processed until April after the UMDNJ-SOM students have been scheduled for their rotations, which determines the number of open spots per rotation for the next academic year.

Rotations are not set up through the individual physicians. They are all set up through Clinical Education. Even if a physician tells you that a rotation should not be a problem, you may still find the rotation full for the dates you are requesting.

Rotations are completed with services (including house staff and other students), not with individual physicians.

Some rotations require travel between hospitals. Visiting students will need a vehicle during the rotation.

Housing, meals and parking are the responsibility of the visiting student.

Applicants may contact Clinical Education by phone (at 856-566-6726) or email (at kabiafy@umdnj.edu) for answers to specific questions. However, please note that rotations will not be guaranteed over the telephone or via email.

The application form must be signed by the appropriate individual from the applicant's home school, must have the required accompanying documentation and approval, and must be received no less than thirty (30) days prior to the start of the requested rotation. Incomplete application forms (missing information or lacking signature or documentation) will not be processed until all missing items have been received.

A criminal background check completed within one year of the requested start date is required in order to be accepted for a clerkship at UMDNJ-SOM. The criminal background check must include a Social Security number trace to confirm past residences and a criminal background search in all states of past residence. The search must have involved all levels of criminal offense, all types of adjudications, all legal processes not yet resolved and all types of offenses, extending as far back as possible. Military clearance will not be acceptable as a substitute for the criminal background check.You may satisfy the criminal background check requirement in one of three ways:

1. If you already have a criminal background check that was completed within one year of the requested clerkship start date, you must have a copy sent to Clinical Education. The report must comply with the requirements outlined above.

2. If you do not have a recent criminal background check, you will need to have one done. You may utilize the agency used by UMDNJ-SOM. If you choose that option, you must send both the "Student Authorization for Criminal Background Check" form and a check for the fee made out to "UMDNJ." The fee is $85.00.

3. If you choose to have another agency complete the criminal background check, you must ensure that they comply with the requirements outlined above.

If you are interested in applying for a rotation, please click on the links below, print the documents and follow the instructions within them.

Visiting Student Application

Immunization Requirements

Criminal Background Check Information

Student Authorization for Criminal Background Check

Additional Links for Students from other Osteopathic Schools

UMDNJ-SOM OPTI Graduate Medical Education

Christ Hospital (Jersey City)

Kennedy Health System (Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township)

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center (Camden)

UMDNJ-SOM Education Handbook (Adobe Acrobat)

Still have questions?

Contact:

Fatmata Kabia
Clinical Education Coordinator
Office of Academic Affairs, Suite 210
1 Medical Center Drive
Stratford, NJ 08084-1501
Phone: (856) 566-6726
Fax: (856) 566-6341
Email: kabiafy@umdnj.edu