Medical Shadowing during Spring Break in Greece

Philotimo’s Hippocrates Program in Medicine and Healthcare

Who is Philotimo

Philotimo Med Abroad Experience is a global educational organization founded in the state of New Jersey (USA). and is affiliated with the world-renowned University Hospital of Larisa and the Faculty of Medicine, School of Health and Sciences at the University of Thessaly, in Greece.  Philotimo’s presence in Greece also brings several economic benefits to the communities in which we work. We recruit and compensate faculty-mentors in Greece and source all program amenities locally.  Additionally, the local economy benefits from Philotimo excursions.  The individuals with whom our fellows have contact and vice versa serve as ambassadors to their respective countries.  By building bridges through contact and communication everyone benefits.

Our Vision and Mission

Philotimo has developed unique study abroad Fellowship Programs conducted year-round in Greece for those on the path to careers in the medical and health professions.  Our approach entails selecting the strongest applicants to serve as fellows in Greece for programs lasting for 2, 3, or 4 weeks.  Our mission is to empower fellows today through an international immersive mentorship and shadowing experience at leading Greek institutions to become the future global leaders in their fields tomorrow.

How We Achieve Our Goals

By managing all the details and logistics of programs in Greece, we ensure the welfare of our fellows 24/7 so they can focus on their important fellowship experience. Fellows participate by shadowing assigned faculty mentors from multiple domains in real-life situations at the University Hospital.  By engaging with Greek experts in their respective fields fellows gain competence in the five domains of mentorship: clinical knowledge, research skills, professional development, technological literacy, and technical skills.

Who Are Philotimo Fellows?

The uniqueness of Philotimo programs is that fellows come from diverse backgrounds and stages in their academic and professional lives (undergraduates, gap years, pre-med, pre-pharmacy, medical students, medical residents, and practitioners.  Our fellows are typically the dventurous and creative future leaders among their peers.

Why Philotimo?

Through its innovative personalized programs, Philotimo is committed to helping students of medicine and the healthcare professions in a variety of ways:

The Philotimo Med Abroad Experience

Helps fellows:

• Helps those in the early phases of their undergraduate years  to experience a career in the medical/healthcare field through immersion and hands-on experience
• Helps those preparing for medical school entrance exams (e.g MCAT)
• Helps fellows understand the day-to-day life of a physician/healthcare professional and translates to confidence by medical school application review boards.
• Helps those who are applying to medical institutions with a competitive edge authenticated by a certificate of participation and the potential for recommendation from faculty mentors and preceptors
• Helps those who seek international experience to immerse themselves in a global healthcare context to study systems of medical/healthcare service provision.
• Helps all fellows to appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare provision by working with the various professionals involved in patient care such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, pharmacist, infection control and prevention.  Being a part of the team is critical to successful outcomes in patient care.

How do I become a Philotimo Fellow?

Students, whether independently or through their institutions, apply to be accepted as a Fellow to a Philotimo program.  Applicants are asked to provide elements related to their study, goals, and areas of interest.

Gain Confidence For Your Graduate School Application

Your early premed/college years are the perfect time to do programs that help you define your interest in medicine! This is a great time for students who think there may be a future for them in healthcare but aren’t quite sure! It gives you the chance to solidify your enjoyment of medicine and earn the hours you need while allowing yourself flexibility in your normal schedule for research and a clinical job!

Fellows are:

• Not required to speak Greek. Most professionals have a strong mastery of English.
• Expected to observe ONLY,
• Scheduled to work 20+ hours per week (4 days x 5 hours) for most groups
• Free on the weekends to relax and travel but expected to be available on-site to work Monday through Friday.
• Expected to work in pairs or small groups for optimum shadowing experiences
• Ask as many thoughtful questions to faculty mentors as possible.
• Expected to comply with Greece’s rules and attitudes

NOTE:  Philotimo complies with the guidance issued by both the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the British Medical Association (BMA) on student shadowing. Philotimo goes above and beyond recommendations by requiring that shadowing is strictly observational – thereby protecting the patients, hospital, and fellow.

Fellow Feedback & Program Outcomes

Most of our fellows strongly agree that they are better able to adapt to stressful or changing situations. Our fellows strongly agree that after our program their ability to engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds is significantly advanced,

Sample Shadowing Day Routine

• Start your day with a healthy and continental breakfast. 
• Arrive at the hospital at approximately 8:45 am
• Meet with the onsite program coordinator of the ward you are shadowing that day or week.
• Receive an assignment to a doctor, a professor, and a mentor alone or with a shadowing buddy. Follow the assigned faculty mentors throughout the day.
• Return to the hotel at approximately 2:30 pm

Tips

• Observe the physician-patient relationship
• Observe an OR procedure or participate in laboratory work in the research facilities
• Gain a better knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
• Discover interesting research topics
• Get to know specialty and the doctor you are shadowing.
• Medical research and practice at the laboratory of the University Hospital. 

What to Expect...

You will meet our representative at the International Airport in Greece from where you’ll be transferred to the student hotel or apartment. Later, an orientation program and a city tour, enjoy a welcoming group meal.

Fellowships in Greece begin every Monday. Exceptions may be made to this when the start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Note that there are typically fewer placements available during August, due to the summer vacation period in Greece. We advise you to arrive at your program location on Saturday if possible.

Excursions & Activities during the program

Combine the joys of traveling around a safe country like Greece with the invaluable experience of shadowing. During your fellowship program, Once a week you will have an excursion and one activity. Horseback riding, Hiking trails of medium difficulty, Mountaineering, Kayaking, Canoeing Skiing, and Yoga The weekends are free time and leisure activities on your own.

Boost your Medical School Application and make Yourself a Top Candidate

Let me take a wild guess: you dream about a career in medicine and you agree that being a medical doctor is a privilege – you feel like you’re helping people every day and job satisfaction is guaranteed. Without a doubt, this profession entails a lot of hard work and a lifelong commitment.

How do I get involved?

If you’re ready to apply, you can go ahead and complete your application online. If you are interested, but not quite ready to apply, you can request a callback from program staff advisors or join our network to be the first to know about updates, new programs and other ways to get involved.  Visit us on our Social Media.

What happens once I am accepted?

Accepted fellows work with administrators in their home country and or Philotimo staff directly to manage program logistics.  Faculty mentors and service rotations are then determined by the University Hospital of Larisa and the University of Thessaly in a best effort to expose students to the diversity of working medical and research institutions Preferences for specialties are not guaranteed, however, the majority of fellows have access to most of, if not all, their preferences.

Program Logistics

Meals

Breakfast 

Transportation & Excursions

No stress upon arrival!  We transport fellows in comfortable vehicles throughout their stay.

Sightseeing tours led by expert and licensed local guides; tickets to all activities.

Accommodations

Beautiful and clean double rooms in safe, quality hotels or apartments. Rooms are separated by gender(with 1 roommate). 

Single room upon request. (extra cost) 

Laundry service.

Insurance and Medical Assistance

A full-coverage, no-hassle insurance plan is included. English-speaking physicians are available for any fellow needing to consult a doctor.

24-hour Program Coordinator Emergency Service

You and your family will have 24/7 access to our on-site coordinators and can count on our dedicated emergency service team while participating in the program.

Hospital Shadowing

Experience daily life in a University Hospital, following top doctors with international training for 20+ hours a week.

The Fellowship is valued at $ 4,500 per student for 2 weeks.