In 2021, ASCO launched the Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) which is a unique, hybrid internship to introduce rising second-year medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine (UIM) to the field of oncology. Currently, ASCO is partnering with select U.S. medical schools to pilot the internship. During the pilot phase, ASCO is developing a core internship model that can be implemented independently by medical schools in the future. The OSI’s larger goal is to encourage UIM physicians to pursue a career in oncology. However, in the short term, the OSI seeks to foster the success of UIM physicians in medicine by introducing them to mentors, strengthening their connection to their school and community, as well as helping them better understand their career interests as they approach the transition to residency.

OSI Program Overview

The OSI is a paid, 4-week clinical shadowing internship designed to help underrepresented in medicine (UIM) medical students explore cancer care and oncology as a career. Students must be a rising second-year student at one of the selected OSI host sites to be considered for participation. Eligible students at OSI host sites will receive information on how to complete an application from their medical school.

The OSI utilizes a hybrid curriculum, which ASCO and select medical schools will deliver in collaboration. The components of the OSI are outlined below.

Orientation at the ASCO Annual Meeting

OSI participants are invited to an in-person orientation at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting from June 2 – 6, 2023 in Chicago, IL.

  • During the orientation, students will connect with their site’s cohort as well as the national OSI cohort, and learn foundational oncology concepts to prepare for the clinical shadowing.
  • Students will receive a $1,500 stipend to attend the orientation and free registration to the ASCO Annual Meeting.
  • Students can elect to attend the full ASCO Annual Meeting, but attendance is only required for the orientation on Saturday, June 3.

Physician Shadowing 

The OSI is a unique, clinically focused internship where students will have the opportunity to shadow local oncology professionals and interact with patients in outpatient clinics, operating rooms, pathology and radiology labs, as well as in-patient hospital settings four full days per week. The internship’s shadowing component is designed to show students “a day in the life of an oncologist” and help them explore the various oncology subspecialties.

Education Sessions 

Students will also have the opportunity to learn from national leaders in oncology and network with other students from across the country in ASCO Virtual Education Forums (VEF) which will take place late morning/midday each Friday. The VEF will cover a broad range of oncology topics and provide the foundation of knowledge and skills to actively participate in the shadowing experiences.

Networking & Social Events

Each week of the OSI, students will participate in social and networking events. These local events will be for the OSI students to connect with one another, oncology trainees, and leaders at their institution. During the 4 weeks, institutions will host a kick-off social event, weekly breakfast or lunch meetings with shadowing faculty, and a celebratory social event at the conclusion of the internship.

Host Site Information

ASCO recruits host sites annually to partner with them to pilot the Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) at their medical school. ASCO has already identified its 2023 OSI host sites and will post future recruitment information to this page once it is available. Host site recruitment launches in late summer and sites can expect to apply and be notified in Fall.

Institution Eligibility

Institutions interested in applying to serve as a host site must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be an accredited MD or DO program in the United States.
  • Must have sufficient oncology faculty at the institution or in the local area to provide shadowing experiences for each of their OSI students 4 days per week.
  • Must be able to implement the OSI during the selected program dates that year.
  • Must demonstrate a commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of medicine

Additional Details

ASCO provides selected pilot host sites with start-up funds to support the launch of the program at their medical school. ASCO also provides OSI students with a $5,000 salary stipend during the internship and a $1,500 travel stipend to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting orientation.

Please contact ASCO Professional Development with questions.

This program is funded through Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, by these generous donors:

R & D Impact Foundation

Swim Across America

The Hearst Foundation, Inc.

Truist Charitable Fund