Rusk Institute is proud to offer 2 and 4 week student electives throughout the academic year to 3rd and 4th year medical students respectiviely from New York University Medical School and 4 week electives to 4th year medical students from other medical schools around the country. The time is divided between inpatient and outpatient clinical activities as well as attendance at a variety of rounds, conferences and lectures.
The goal of the electives are to provide a broad exposure and education within the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. You can expect to be involved with various different patient groups including: stroke; amputee; post-op orthopedic; musculoskeletal; pediatric and adult neuromuscular; cardiac and pulmonary etc.
On completion of the elective period, students should have a basic understanding of the function of a comprehensive rehabilitation program. They should be knowledgable in history taking and in the examination of the neuromuscular system as it pertains to PM&R, and should have an understanding of the prescription of medications, therapies and modalities.
This introduction to the specialty is especially designed to nurture an interest for a future career within the field. Students who are looking to apply for residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at NYU are strongly encouraged to complete a 4 week elective within the Department. Interviews for a residency position will be held at that time.
Elective students will be assigned to work closely with a resident. Every day begins with morning rounds. The resident will help coordinate the students day, provide informal teaching sessions and will be available to give guidance throughout the elective period. Students will be involved in the inpatient care of patients with their resident.
The elective period maintains flexibility to accomodate the specific interests and needs of individual applicants. On average, students will attend 4 PM&R outpatient clinics each week including general, pediatric, acupuncture, orthotic and prosthetic, and muscular dystrophy.
Elective students can accompany patients to OT and PT classes, or special procedures (such as swallow evaluations, prosthetic and orthotic fitting sessions) in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the daily process of inpatient rehabilitation.
Time can also be spent in the electrodiagnostic lab, in cardiac rehab, in Attending Physiatrists outpatient offices (to be arranged directly between the student and Attending) and at scheduled weekly lectures and conferences.
NYU students wishing to apply for an elective in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rusk Institute should complete an application form, available from the Registrar in the Dean=s office. Students from other medical schools can request an application form from Mary-Ann Garcia on (212) 263-6110.
Completed application can be sent to:
| am | lunch | pm | |
| Monday | ward rounds; post round lecture session; floor work | clinic - IRM - pediatrics - BVH - general | |
| Tuesday | ward rounds; post round lecture; floor work | resident lecture series | |
| Wednesday | ward rounds; post round lecture; floor work clinic - pediatric neuromuscular | Grand Rounds or Sports Medicine Conference | clinic - IRM - peds / young adult - BVH - general |
| Thursday | ward rounds; radiology conference; floor work clinic - BVH - accupuncture | clinic - IRM - pediatrics - BVH - prosthetics | |
| Friday | ward rounds; post round lecture; floor work | Journal Club | EMG Cardiac Rehab |
The major objectives are to expose medical students to the principles of management of the acutely ill patient (early onset stroke, spinal cord injured) and of the chronically ill (multiple sclerosis, cardiac and pulmonary disabled) through rehabilitation methods. Equally desirous is to stimulate interest in a career in rehabilitation medicine.
There are daily rounds and formal didactic sessions as well as participation in many other lectures held at the Rusk Institute and in the Medical Center in general. Exposure to joint conferences (urology, radiology, orthopedics etc.) with special emphasis on rehabilitation aspects of patient care is encouraged.
The supervised clinical program is most frequently on a one-to-one basis. Individual students are assigned to a resident and each student becomes the responsibility of a senior staff attending. Students are also expected to attend some special areas of interest in rehabilitation medicine such as prosthetics, orthotics, electromyography and cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation. For those interested in pursuing basic research during their program, arrangements for participation in ongoing projects are promptly accomplished. Many students elect to continue working part time on their research projects without renumeration for an eight month period during the formal sophomore year which follows their summer experience.
Living quarters for summer fellows are not available at the Institute but may be obtained at the Hall of Residency, New York University Medical Center, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, at reasonable rates. Interested students are responsible for making their own arrangements.
It is suggested that students applying for a fellowship do so at least five months in advance. The current level of stipend covering these summer fellowships is approximately $1100.00 per month.
Applications for the Summer Fellowship Program can be obtained by calling Linda Moy: (212) 263-6105
Summer Fellowships...
A special eight week Summer Fellowship Program (July and August) is offered for NYU students who have completed at least their first year of medical school training and who are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. The number of participants varies depending on the available funds and the exact date funds are committed. Successful students must qualify for the work study program.College and Senior High School Students...
The Health Career Opportunity Program is a unique and innovative career development experience for seniors in high school or students enrolled in college or a degree program. Applicants must be over 17 years old. The program, developed at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation in 1960, provides both a realistic work experience in a rehabilitation and hospital environment and an educational / study component. For further information and an application, write to: Glenn Goldfinger, MA, PT, Program Director, Health Career Opportunity Program, New York University Medical Center, 560 First Avenue, Greenberg Hall, Rm C95, New York, NY 10016.Back to Contents