How to Find Physician Shadowing in Arizona
Arizona has more shadowing opportunities than almost any state in the country — starting with Banner University Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Here is how to find them, how to ask, and what to do once you are in the door.
Why Shadowing Matters for Arizona Medical School Applications
Physician shadowing is not just a checkbox — it is the primary way medical school admissions committees assess whether you actually understand what being a physician involves. Arizona medical schools, particularly the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, want to see that you have spent meaningful time observing physicians in clinical settings and can articulate what you learned.
Most competitive Arizona applicants have 50–150+ hours of shadowing across multiple specialties. Quality matters more than quantity — 40 hours of thoughtful shadowing with strong reflection is more valuable than 200 hours of passive observation.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Best Specialties for Arizona Pre-Med Shadowing
Internal Medicine
The broadest exposure to adult medicine. Internal medicine shadowing shows you can handle diagnostic complexity and longitudinal patient relationships. Valued by every Arizona medical school.
Surgery
Surgical shadowing demonstrates commitment and tolerance for the demands of medicine. Banner University Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Hospital are both strong surgical programs — shadowing in surgery signals alignment with their research and procedural culture.
Family Medicine / Primary Care
Critical for University of Arizona College of Medicine applicants, which has an explicit primary care and rural medicine mission. If you are applying to rural-focused programs, family medicine shadowing in a rural or underserved setting — including tribal health settings — is particularly valuable.
Emergency Medicine
High-intensity, broad exposure to acute medicine. Emergency medicine shadowing at Banner University Medical Center, Valleywise Health, or St. Joseph's gives you exposure to some of the most complex cases in Arizona.
Psychiatry
Increasingly valued by Arizona medical schools as mental health needs in Arizona grow. Psychiatry shadowing demonstrates awareness of the full scope of medicine and is relatively easy to arrange through community mental health centers.
Rural Medicine
Specifically important for University of Arizona applicants interested in rural tracks. Rural medicine shadowing in rural Arizona — including tribal health settings on the Navajo Nation or in the White Mountains — demonstrates genuine commitment to the communities these programs serve. Arrange through rural health clinics or the Arizona Center for Rural Health.
Leveraging Arizona's Major Health Systems
Arizona is home to outstanding academic medical centers — Banner University Medical Center, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Valleywise Health, and Dignity Health St. Joseph's. For pre-med students, this is an exceptional resource. Here are the best ways to access shadowing opportunities within these systems.
Banner University Medical Center — Phoenix/Tucson
Banner has a formal pre-med shadowing program through their Office of Medical Education. Applications open in the spring for summer shadowing. Highly competitive — apply early and have a strong application.
Mayo Clinic Hospital — Phoenix
Mayo Clinic's Office of Admissions maintains a list of faculty willing to host pre-med shadows. Contact the admissions office directly to request the list. Research faculty are particularly accessible.
Valleywise Health Medical Center — Phoenix
Valleywise Health offers research and clinical observation opportunities for pre-med students. Their programs are competitive but provide exceptional exposure to urban safety-net medicine and a diverse patient population.
Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital — Phoenix
St. Joseph's has a structured volunteer and shadowing program through their volunteer services office. Strong programs in neuroscience, cardiology, and oncology. Home to the Barrow Neurological Institute.
Phoenix VA Health Care System
The Phoenix VA has a competitive research and shadowing program for pre-med students. Clinical shadowing is available, and research experience at the VA is highly valued by Arizona medical schools, especially for students interested in primary care or military medicine.
How to Cold-Email Arizona Physicians
Cold-emailing physicians is the most effective way to find shadowing opportunities in Arizona. Most physicians are willing to host a pre-med student if you ask professionally and make it easy for them to say yes. Here is how to do it right.
Sample Cold Email
Subject: Pre-Med Shadowing Request — [Your Name], [Your University]
Dear Dr. [Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [year] pre-med student at [University] in [City]. I am applying to Arizona medical schools through AMCAS and am seeking physician shadowing opportunities to strengthen my understanding of clinical medicine.
I am particularly interested in [specialty] because [specific reason related to their work or your interests]. I came across your profile through [Banner University Medical Center faculty directory / Mayo Clinic Arizona / referral from Dr. X] and was impressed by your work in [specific area].
I am hoping to shadow you for 2–4 hours per week over 6–8 weeks, and I am flexible around your schedule. I have attached a brief CV for your reference. I would be grateful for any time you are able to offer.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone] | [Email] | [University]
Keep your email short — three paragraphs maximum. Physicians are busy and will not read a long email from a stranger.
Open with a specific connection: "I am a pre-med student at the University of Arizona applying to Arizona medical schools" is better than a generic introduction.
Be specific about what you want: "I am hoping to shadow you for 2–4 hours per week over the next 6–8 weeks" is better than "I would love to shadow you sometime."
Mention your timeline and flexibility: "I am available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and can work around your schedule."
Attach a one-page CV or resume. Physicians want to know who they are inviting into their practice.
Follow up once after 1–2 weeks if you do not hear back. One follow-up is professional; more than one is pushy.
If you are rejected, thank them and ask if they can refer you to a colleague. Physicians in the same department often know each other.
Virtual Shadowing Options
Virtual shadowing programs expanded significantly during COVID and remain available as a supplement to in-person shadowing. Programs like the American Academy of Family Physicians virtual shadowing, the AMA's virtual shadowing resources, and various specialty society programs offer structured online observation experiences.
Virtual shadowing does not replace in-person shadowing for Arizona medical school applications — admissions committees can tell the difference. However, it can be a useful supplement if you are building hours in a specialty that is difficult to access in person, or if you are early in your pre-med journey and not yet ready for in-person clinical environments.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Need Help Finding Shadowing Opportunities?
Dr. Tomei can help you identify the right shadowing opportunities for your target Arizona programs and coach you on how to approach physicians professionally.
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