糖心

A new partnership between Franklin & Marshall College and is providing students interested in careers in medicine with valuable opportunities to observe healthcare professionals in practice and gain a deeper understanding of patient care.

This past spring, 14 Franklin & Marshall students, ranging from first-year students to seniors, participated in a pilot shadowing program with Lancaster General Health Family Medicine residents and physicians. Through the program, each student spent up to eight hours observing patient visits and clinical operations, gaining firsthand exposure to the realities of medical practice.

The initiative grew out of conversations between Sarah Gall, director of pre-health professions advising at Franklin & Marshall, and , M.D., a family medicine physician with Lancaster General Health, in spring 2025. Over the following year, the partners worked together to develop and launch the program, which officially began in spring 2026.

In addition to the shadowing experiences, family medicine residents from Lancaster General Health visited campus to participate in an information session and panel discussion, offering students insights into medical school, residency, and careers in healthcare.

鈥淭his program provides our students not only with exposure to the medical profession through observation and shadowing, but also access to early-career medical professionals, who can offer mentoring and guidance from the perspective of someone who has recently completed medical school,鈥� said Gall. 鈥淚n a time when there is a shortage of family medicine physicians across the US, this opportunity can help students understand the comprehensive and vital role that family medicine plays in the health of the community.鈥�

For students pursuing careers in medicine and other health professions, shadowing offers valuable exposure to the realities of clinical practice. By observing physicians in outpatient and inpatient settings, students gain firsthand insight into patient care, clinical decision-making, teamwork, and the daily responsibilities of healthcare professionals, helping them explore potential career paths and prepare for future study and training.

Franklin & Marshall has a long history of preparing students for success in the health professions. In recent years, F&M graduates have consistently achieved medical school acceptance rates well above the national average. Over the past four years, 80% of all F&M applicants were accepted to medical school, which is nearly double the national average of 41.5%. 

鈥淭hese outcomes reflect the strength of F&M鈥檚 preparation in the sciences, but also something broader about the value of a liberal arts education,鈥� said Sunita Kramer 鈥�92, provost and dean of the faculty. 鈥淥ur students are learning how to think critically, communicate clearly, and approach complex human problems with curiosity. This partnership with Lancaster General Health gives them an invaluable opportunity to see those skills in action in clinical settings and to discern, with greater confidence, the kind of impact they hope to make.鈥�

In addition to supporting future physicians, F&M also supports students on pathways to becoming dentists, physician assistants, physical therapists, researchers, epidemiologists, and other in-demand healthcare professions. 

鈥淚 shadowed Dr. Elizabeth Huang on multiple occasions, gaining a better understanding of the range of work family medicine physicians perform. I also saw another side to being a physician, worrying about patients鈥� ability to thrive outside of the hospital. This experience further inspires me to carry a holistic lens as a physician, regardless of the specialty I choose,鈥� said Tatyana Ulman 鈥�27, a chemistry major and the 2025 recipient of the Rouse Scholarship.

Dr. Hardell said the program was designed to create meaningful learning and mentorship opportunities while helping students gain exposure to the healthcare profession.

"As the first doctor in my family, shadowing physicians during college gave me an invaluable window into what a career in medicine actually looks like. With Lancaster General Health just down the road from F&M, I wanted students to have that same opportunity, which is why I was excited to help revive this program,鈥� said Dr. Hardell. 鈥淲hat made the experience especially meaningful is that students were able to see the full scope of family medicine, from outpatient clinics and hospital rounds to labor and delivery. For some, it was their first time witnessing a birth. Those kinds of experiences can be transformative as students explore whether a career in medicine is right for them."

The partnership reflects Franklin & Marshall's commitment to providing students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom learning with professional practice. By working closely with healthcare partners across Lancaster County, students are able to explore career pathways, build professional networks, and gain a clearer understanding of the impact they hope to make in the lives of future patients.

As the program grows, both institutions see opportunities to deepen collaboration through additional panels, mentorship opportunities, and expanded shadowing experiences that help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.