Northwestern Health Sciences University, University of Minnesota unveil partnership

April 13, 2011 — The College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Northwestern Health Sciences University has developed a pilot program that gives two Northwestern students the opportunity to participate in a clinical internship at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

The 15-week internship will begin during the 2011 summer trimester, which starts on May 2. The new clinical internship site is one of three opportunities that students from Northwestern’s College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have to work in a hospital-based setting.

“Partnerships like this one are extremely important for the University, as well as the program,” says Mark McKenzie, LAc, MOm, dean of Northwestern’s College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. “This internship gives students real world hospital-based experience that few others have the opportunity for and prepares our students for the possibility of working in a hospital, or specialized clinic, after graduation.”

McKenzie added that he is, “very excited for our students to gain clinical experience at the University of Minnesota. This is a great opportunity for our students to focus on how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can impact women’s health.”

Students will be working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Fairview and will see patients for postpartum pain, post surgical pain and other associated symptoms.

“Our contribution will be better developed once we’re in the hospital and have a better understanding of the patient population at Fairview,” says Barbara Gosse, MSOM, LAc, assistant professor and Northwestern’s clinical supervisor. “However, just being there enables us to begin developing relationships with a variety of medical practitioners, opening the doors for future relationships.”

“This internship is just the beginning of our collaboration with the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview,” says McKenzie. “We are eager to take part in the expanding opportunities that will come from this pilot project.”

Students who are interested in applying for the Fairview clinical internship for the 2011 fall trimester should stop by the College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine office.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/index.html