UC Davis Health Expanded Radiology Internship Program
The initiative aims to address national medical workforce shortages by training early undergraduate students.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Internships
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UC Davis Health implemented a specialized internship program in 2024 to introduce students to radiology careers. By 2026, the program received 31 applications, marking a significant increase from its inaugural cycle.
Why it matters
The program was established to combat a 68% cumulative deficit in diagnostic radiology graduates across the United States. It provides community college and early undergraduate students with clinical shadowing, research, and mentorship to cultivate future medical talent.
The program received 31 applications for the 2026 cycle, up from 9 applications in 2025 and 6 in 2024. Future goals include expanding the cohort size to 20 scholars and providing participants with stipends.
The players
UC Davis Health
This is a major academic medical center located in Sacramento that serves as a primary hub for health education and clinical research in California.
The details
Scholars receive departmental badges and internal system access during a six-month period, which includes a four-week onboarding process. The curriculum is designed for students with limited prior exposure to academic medicine, treating them as junior radiology colleagues to foster professional development.
Timeline
The program recruited its first cohort of students in 2024.
The second cohort of students was recruited in 2025.
Program applications totaled 31 for the 2026 cycle.
Research regarding the program was published on October 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
The initiative functions as a localized intervention to mitigate the documented national diagnostic radiology graduate deficit. By integrating early students into clinical workflows, the program establishes a pipeline aimed at strengthening the regional medical workforce.
Local students interested in healthcare can gain direct exposure to academic medicine and radiology systems through this mentorship model. Participants receive hands-on experience and professional badges, providing a competitive edge for future medical school applications.
The takeaway
Early clinical exposure programs are increasingly vital for closing critical gaps in specialized medical fields like diagnostic radiology. Interested students should monitor program expansion updates to take advantage of upcoming stipend opportunities.
Further reading
For additional insights on local workforce development, explore the Internships section.
More information
View the Full study on imaging careers for detailed research findings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AuntMinnie.
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