About
Shadowing allows pre-health students a unique opportunity to witness the daily responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Students develop a profound understanding of clinical environments by directly observing medical practitioners. This reinforces their theoretical knowledge and develops skills like effective communication, empathy, and critical thinking. Additionally, shadowing cultivates a strong sense of professional identity and purpose, validating and solidifying their dedication to pursuing a career in healthcare. These experiences thus hold immense weight in the eyes of medical school admissions committees, as they signify an applicant’s genuine commitment and exposure to the field of medicine.
What is Shadowing?
What is ShaDO-MD?
Securing shadowing opportunities with doctors is often a challenge for premed students. For those with little networking experience, contacting doctors through cold emails can be daunting. Cold emails may not always yield responses, and the process can be time-consuming. This can become a significant barrier for students, potentially causing them to miss out on valuable learning experiences and hindering their aspirations of getting accepted into medical school.
The primary goal of this program is to streamline the shadowing process and bridge the gap between premed students and physicians. We aim to provide students the opportunity to observe, learn, and engage in a clinical environment under the guidance of professionals without having to spend time finding these opportunities themselves.
Our Founding Story
We have always shared a common passion for positively impacting our community. Our experiences in college taught us the significance of mentorship and hands-on learning. We strongly believe that exposure to the daily lives of physicians will not only enhance the academic journey of our peers but will also inspire them to pursue their aspirations with renewed passion. This concept emerged when one of us attempted to secure shadowing opportunities but obtained very few because of the lack of response to cold emails and difficulty coordinating schedules with physicians. Recognizing these problems, we had the idea to create a platform that facilitates student-physician connections and addresses the need for mentorship in the medical field. We understand the demanding schedules of physicians and want to provide a flexible platform for them to engage with and inspire the next generation of passionate youth eager to explore the medical field. We invite you to explore and consider becoming a part of our growing community dedicated to the future of healthcare.
- Nashita Bhuiyan & Sarah Firdaus (UMD’25)