faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

I am interested in the doing preceptorship, what are the next steps?

  • Complete the student application specifying the dates and location for placement. Applications for first and second year students are closed for Summer 2023.
  • Applications and requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and availability of slots.
  • 3rd--4th year students can apply anytime during the year, at least one month prior to requested dates of preceptorship.
  • If you have any questions, please contact our Program Coordinator, Amy Case at amy.case@txpeds.org.

What is the general pediatric preceptorship program? Why should students participate?

  • Students are matched to a general pediatrician in private practice to experience pediatric practice first-hand.
  • Students learn about general pediatric practice including common pediatric medical and developmental conditions, office management, hospital practice, and community services for children.

What are goals and objectives of the program?

  • To consider pediatrics as a career.

Who can participate?

  • Any first- or second-year medical student enrolled in a Texas medical school who has completed their first year.

How long is the preceptorship?

  • The preceptorship program is two to four weeks.  Rotations vary based on student schedule, school requirements for credit, and preceptor schedules.   

Will I be paid a stipend?

  • Yes, stipends are given at the end of the month program for first and second year students.
  • Stipends depend on the duration and location of your rotation.  If you accept a two-week rotation (10 days), you must work all 10 days to be eligible for the stipend.  We confirm the length with your preceptor after the completion of your rotation.  Your stipend will reflect the days in attendance with your preceptor.
  • Stipends for students not in medically underserved areas are $3,000 for the month. Stipends for medically underserved areas are $5,000. To view our preceptors by city, please visit our Preceptor Directory. To view the directory, students members must log in. Non-members must request access
  • To determine if your preceptorship qualifies as a MUA/HPSA or rural area, click the links and follow the steps below.

    • MUA/HPSA – 1) Type preceptor’s address

    • Rural – 1) Select the 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes data set; 2) determine the preceptor’s county; and 3) make sure the county population is less than 125,000.

When should I apply?

  • First and second year students may apply for the program. Applications and requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and availability of slots.
  • 3rd--4th year students can apply anytime during the year, at least one month prior to requested dates of preceptorship.

How do I request a pediatrician I know?

  • Yes, but only if they:
    • Are Board Certified
    • Have no current board actions against them by the Texas Medical Board.
  • If you know of a pediatrician that you would like to work with, the Austin office will arrange the preceptorship for you. The Austin office will check the qualifications of the prospective preceptor. 

Can I do my preceptorship with a pediatric specialist?

  • No.  Preceptors must be general pediatricians practicing 50% or more general pediatrics and be office or clinic based.

Who are the contacts at my school?

  • Each medical school has a program coordinator to help you sign up for the program:
Baylor College of Medicine Elaine Fielder, MD
 

ekfielde@texaschildrens.org

Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Natasha Shah, MD  
natasha.shah@shsu.edu
TCU/UNTHSC Frank Sloan, MD   frank.sloan@tcu.edu
Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station Mark S. Sicilio, MD
Asst: Amanda Schrader
(979) 862-1194 amschrader@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso Gilbdert Handal, MD (915) 545-6785 gilbert.handal@ttuhsc.edu
University of Houston School of Medicine Joel Blumberg, MD   jsblumbe@central.uh.edu
University of Incarnate Word School of Medicine Natalie Slater, MD  
NSLATER@UIWTX.EDU
Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock Elisabeth Conser, MD (806) 743-2244  elisabeth.conser@ttuhsc.edu
University of N. Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth

Priya Bui, DO

 

priya.bui@unthsc.edu

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Amalia Guardiola, MD  

Amalia.Guardiola@uth.tmc.edu

University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio Jay Shah, DO  

ShahJ3@uthscsa.edu

University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Gayani Silva, MD
Asst: Tiffany Swain
(409) 772-5286 trswain@utmb.edu
University of Texas Health, Rio Grande Valley Stanley Fisch, MD (956) 296-1414 stanley.fisch@utrgv.edu

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas

Soumya Adhikari, MD
(972) 677-7700 Soumya.Adhikari@utsouthwestern.edu

 

How do I report absences during preceptorship?

  • Participating in the preceptorship program should be treated like having a professional job. All absences must be reported to your preceptor and school immediately.

How do I cancel my preceptorship?

Since there are limited slots we strongly discourage students from canceling their preceptorship. However, if the circumstances make it absolutely necessary to cancel:

  • Contact the Austin office immediately.
  • Inform your preceptor and the school about your cancellation.

Interested students and physicians should contact:

Amy Case
401 W. 15th St., Suite 682
Austin, 78701-1665
amy.case@txpeds.org