Clinical Observership

Guidelines & Application

The Clinical Observation program in the Department of Neurology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, offers clinicians from other healthcare institutions an opportunity for ongoing training and education at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.  The program does not involve "hands-on" or any direct patient care activities, it only involves observation.

A clinical observer is a physician (MD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), who is involved in clinical practice and desires to visit the Department of Neurology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center for an informal educational experience.  The length of the program may range from one day to three months.  The clinical observer may be requested by a faculty of Neurology who currently holds an active appointment with the Medical Staff Office, or directly from the clinician interested in the program.

For a successful clinical observation, please adhere to the following: 

  • You must be sponsored by a faculty in the Department of Neurology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, who currently holds an active appointment with the Medical Staff Office. 
  • Must complete the Registration Form for Short-Term Visitors. This form will need to clearly state the purpose for which you will be visiting the University, the activities you will be engaged in while at the University and anticipated length of visit (not to exceed 3 months).
  • The completed application should be sent via email to neurologyhr-fa@cumc.columbia.edu(link sends e-mail) along with your updated CV (resume).
  • Your acceptance to the program will also be contingent upon a successful drug screening, medical surveillance and background check (if applicable).
  • Non-Columbia University student are required to pay a processing fee of $250 (not applicable to high school students).
  • MD and/or PhD are required to pay a processing fee of $1,000.  
  • The processing fee may be paid by cash, credit card or check on the date of your arrival (checks are to be made out to Columbia University Irving Medical Center – Neurology).