UW Geriatric Medicine Shadowing (Observership)
The UW Geriatric Medicine Division invites undergraduate students, post-baccalaureates, and medical students interested in medical shadowing and learning about geriatrics. Participants are allowed to participate in up to 3 days of shadowing per academic year to learn about the dynamic world of geriatric medicine. Participants can shadow healthcare professionals across a variety of settings—including hospital, clinic, and nursing home environments—gaining valuable insight into the interdisciplinary care and daily responsibilities involved in supporting the health and well-being of older adults. Please note that this is an unpaid experience and does not count toward volunteer credit hours.
Participants must clearly indicate their availability, including preferred dates and times. Weekend observation opportunities are available for hospital level care. To participate, you must complete and submit the required Harborview Observation Form prior to scheduling your observation days.
Please email ggmadmi@uw.edu with your availability, any questions, or concerns.
HMC Volunteering
The Geriatric Medicine team at UW Harborview Medical Center (HMC) welcomes participants interested in gaining a deeper understanding of aging and patient care through our volunteer program. Designed to offer a meaningful, educational experience, this program allows students to observe and engage in a variety of experiences supporting older adults. For participants interested in learning about hospital care for older surgical patients, participants may volunteer for up to 4 hours per shift at Harborview Medical Center, a major trauma center for the Northwest. For participants interested in learning about community support for adults living with dementia, participants can volunteer at The Memory Hub, a multidisciplinary center that offers programming for older adults and their caregivers.
This volunteer experience is ideal for participants exploring careers in medicine, nursing, or allied health fields. In addition to Geriatric Medicine, UW offers a variety of volunteer opportunities across departments, providing exposure to different areas of care. Participants can browse available programs and begin the application process by visiting the volunteer opportunities page.
Please email ggmadmi@uw.edu with any questions or concerns.