Community Health Interns

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, through its Office of Community Engagement and the Department of Family, Community, and Preventive Medicine, is pleased to offer the Community Medicine and Population Health (CMPH) Summer Internship.

The CMPH Summer Internship immerses undergraduate and masters students in the principles and practices of community medicine and population health. By combining research, clinical shadowing, and mentorship, the program prepares the next generation of physicians to improve health outcomes in Arizona and beyond.

This competitive program brings together outstanding undergraduate and masters students who demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for advancing community health. Interns gain first-hand experience in community-engaged research, primary care, and population health while preparing for future careers in medicine.

Program Highlights

  • Community-Oriented Research
    Each intern is paired with a faculty mentor to work on a hands-on project related to community medicine and population health. Interns engage in a rigorous community-oriented research curriculum and works-in-progress sessions with experienced research faculty to support their projects. Interns gain experience in:
    • Formulating research questions
    • Study design and methods
    • Data collection and analysis
    • Interpreting and presenting findings
  • Clinical Shadowing
    Interns dedicate approximately one day per week to shadowing primary care physicians in community-based care settings. These experiences are enhanced by guided self-reflection and peer discussion.
  • Community Engagement
    • Interns work alongside a mentor on a project focused on community engagement. Interns in the 2025 cohort for example built a publicly searchable STEM program database, drafted a Community Engagement report for the medical school, and coordinated a stakeholder engagement strategy for the Office of Community Engagement and the Department of Family, Community, and Preventive Medicine.
  • Learning Sessions
    • Lunch & Learn/Workshops 
      • Interns are invited to attend seminars along with medical students as well as targeted workshops on various topics related to community health. Seminars are also offered specifically  to prepare interns to apply to medical school. 
  • Final Presentation Day
    The program concludes with student presentations to peers, mentors, and faculty. Each 10-minute talk covers background literature, methods, findings, future directions, and personal reflections on community medicine.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the internship, interns will:

  • Develop foundational skills in population health research and program evaluation.
  • Apply ethical and scientific principles in designing and conducting research.
  • Gain meaningful, real-world experience in community health and primary care settings.
  • Reflect on the social and structural factors that shape health outcomes.
  • Build a personalized medical school application plan with input from faculty and mentors.

Timing

The internship runs from early June to the end of August.

Stipend

The CMPH Summer Internship is supported by a Primary Care Professions Program grant. Interns receive a weekly stipend. The total award depends on the internship duration.

Eligibility

Students are eligible to apply if they have completed high school and will be enrolled in University starting in the fall of 2026. Students who have completed undergraduate and masters degrees are also eligible to apply. 

Preference is given to students with strong ties to Arizona and those with the intention to apply to medical school.

Apply

Applications are currently closed, but will open in early 2026 for the summer 2026 cohort. 

The application link will be available on this page.