Founded by Howard A. Rusk, MD, and sponsored by the Wallace Foundation, the Health Career Opportunity Program has graduated approximately 5,700 students throughout its 50-year history. Offered in partnership with Rusk Rehabilitation, our program is unique because it offers students the opportunity to receive an intense experience in one specific health field and concurrently explore other health professions.

With more than 20 clinical rotations throughout NYU Langone, the Ronald O. Department of Emergency Medicine is pleased to host Health Career Opportunity Program students annually as part of our comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and robust volunteer division.

The Health Career Opportunity Program in Emergency Medicine consists of one eight-week session beginning in mid-June and ending in early August. The emergency medicine program provides students with a hands-on observational clinical experience and exposure to the diversity and variety of health professions within emergency care. Students can expect to spend each weekday morning clinically observing in an emergency medicine–related rotation followed by mandatory Health Career Opportunity Program lectures, small groups, and MCAT preparatory classes most afternoons. Students integrate with and work alongside multiple emergency care team members including physicians, physician assistants, residents, fellows, nurses, and medical students.

The Health Career Opportunity Program in Emergency Medicine rotation takes a holistic approach to the emergency medical field. Students work in NYU Langone’s emergency department, and they also have rotations in complementary areas such as social work, internal medicine, stroke, orthopedic immediate care, and sports medicine. We aim to give students a well-rounded experience in the world of medicine.

All rotations vary from year to year based on division discretion, and may be subject to change without due notice, with the exception of the emergency department rotations.

The Health Career Opportunity Program in Emergency Medicine is a unique role for our volunteers because of the variety of shadowing opportunities available at different departments. As a participant in this program, you will be expected to travel (in a timely manner) to various departments in neighborhoods around New York City (such as Hell’s Kitchen, Cobble Hill, Sunset Park, the Financial District, and others). Before you apply, please make sure you are comfortable with using public transportation, as the subway is the most accessible and reliable means of traversing the city. We will provide clear directions for getting to your assigned locations, along with a funded MetroCard, but familiarizing yourself with the basic metro area map will be necessary.

Students must be available for the entirety of the program in order to participate. Students are given the option for NYU housing for the entire duration of the program.

How to Apply

Learn more about the HCOP application materials and timeline.