Shadowing Opportunities

Getting experience in an area you may be interested in pursuing is the best way to see if it is right for you. These are the local shadowing opportunities for a variety of health careers including, medicine, dentistry, PT, OT, genetic counseling, medical lab tech and more. See descriptions below for full details. 

Mayo Clinic Health System-MedEx shadowing experience!

2026 MedEx, Eau Claire and Menomonie
Applications open for Fall MedEx starting on August 27, 2026!

Before applying to the MedEx, students must demonstrate a significant commitment to volunteering at Mayo Clinic Health System. This requirement is satisfied by completing at least one academic term (fall, spring, or summer) of volunteering with 2–4 hour weekly shifts, with satisfactory completion defined as attending at least 75% of scheduled shifts. Volunteer participation will be verified by Mayo Volunteer Services. OR students may also meet this requirement by being a current Mayo Clinic Health System employee in good standing who has completed at least 30 work hours.

Other requirements for participation in the MedEx program:

• Minimum college GPA of 3.0
• Currently enrolled as a UWEC student in Fall 2026
• Completed at least two full academic semesters at UWEC
• Seriously considering a career in a health-related area (pursuing a health-related major, minor, or certificate; involvement in research, student orgs, or other health-related extracurricular activities)

There are three opportunities for this experience:

• Fall Session End of October-January
• Spring session End of February-May

• Summer session End of May-August

  Shadowing hours will be completed during regular clinic hours of Monday-Friday 8-4:30pm

  Mandatory in-person orientation, for those who have not previously participated in MedEx, will be held on October 14 at 6 pm at the Luther Building Hospital

  Shadowing for Fall 2026 session must be completed by January 22, 2027.

  If you are interested in future participation in the MedEx program and would like more information about obtaining volunteer hours with Mayo Clinic Health System, the next opportunity to apply to be a volunteer is July 27-31, 2026.

DentEx Shadowing Experience - New In Fall 2026

Applications will open for Fall DentEx starting on August 20, 2026!  Deadline to apply is September 24th, 2026.

Each semester UW-Eau Claire students, interested in dentistry, can apply to shadow Marquette University Fellows at CVTC’s Dental Clinic on the CVTC campus. UWEC students at the CVTC Dental Clinic will gain exposure to a wide variety of advanced dental procedures and modern technology in a real clinical setting. Students will observe oral surgery, prosthodontic procedures, restorative dentistry, and same-day crown fabrication using CEREC technology. The clinic features state-of-the-art equipment including digital scanners, PrimePrint 3D printing technology, and advanced digital dentistry systems that provide students with exposure in today’s evolving dental field.

Requirements for participation in the DentEx-College Edition program:

• Minimum college GPA of 3.0
• Currently enrolled as a UWEC student in Fall 2026
• Completed at least two full academic semesters at UWEC
• Seriously considering a career in dentistry
• Significant experience in health-related extracurricular activities preferred

Shadowing will include 20 hours of shadowing each session; and will be available to each student in 4-hour blocks of time over a two-month period. 

Term Dates:
Fall (Oct. 12 - Dec. 21)

Shadowing hours will be performed during regular clinic hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Thursday: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

CVTC Health Education Center
615 W. Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Marshfield Clinic Observation Opportunity

Marshfield Clinic Observation Experiences have resumed in a limited capacity based on resources. Marshfield Clinic staff volunteer their time to allow observation of their practice.  Because of the voluntary nature of the experience, meeting application requirements does not guarantee experience.  

Marshfield Clinic Health System defines an Observational Experience as the observation of an employee in his/her professional role with no physical (patient) contact other than airborne exposure.

*Please note, there is a fee associated with applying to this program. If mailing in your application and your wish is to observe in the Eau Claire region, please ensure it is sent to: West District – Student Programs, 2116 Craig Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701.