The Department of Urology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers robust educational experiences—from pre-med preceptorships and observerships to acting internships and clinical rotations.
Our medical student rotations provide hands-on clinical exposure, close faculty mentorship, and opportunities to participate in both the operating room and patient care across diverse urologic subspecialties. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in research opportunities that drive innovation and advance the field. We are committed to fostering clinical excellence, curiosity, and professional growth in a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
Third-year UAB medical students are invited to do a one-month elective on our service and participate in their Scholarly Activity with one of our faculty members. Those who are at satellite campuses are encouraged to do a Special Topics week with us to gain more exposure to this exciting field. For students with research interests, opportunities are available to participate in ongoing clinical research projects.
Fourth-year UAB and visiting (non-UAB) students are invited to do an acting internship (AI). This experience is intended for senior medical students and visiting students planning a career in urology. During the rotation, students will actively participate in the evaluation, treatment, and ongoing management of patients with a wide range of urologic disorders.
Clinical experiences will take place at University Hospital and Children's Hospital of Alabama. Students will work closely with faculty members and urology residents in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Responsibilities include evaluating patients in the outpatient clinic, participating in daily hospital rounds, and observing surgical procedures in the operating room.
Rotation Dates for 2026
June 1 – June 28
June 29 – July 26
July 27 – August 23
August 24 – September 20
September 21 – October 18
October 26 – November 22
University of Alabama at Birmingham participates in the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program. Applications will open on March 2, 2026, and will begin processing on April 1, 2026. Courses 80-416 through 80-428 are available for acting internships.
Both two-week and four-week rotations are offered. Students who are unable to complete a standard four-week rotation due to scheduling offsets of two weeks should apply for two-week rotations in courses 80-416 and 80-428. Two-week rotations may also be paired with an additional two-week elective to better accommodate individual scheduling needs for a four-week experience.
Notifications of rotation approval will be sent through the VLSO website. Urology acting interns will receive a welcome letter and other coordinating instructions by email from Dr. Carmen Tong. This information is sent one to two weeks before the rotation begins.
Questions?
Questions about the UAB Urology acting internships should be emailed to Carmen Tong, DO, Director of Medical Student Education, at cctong@uabmc.edu. Please put ‘Urology Subinternship’ in the subject line.
Stipend Opportunities
The UAB Department of Urology is proud to offer travel stipends to support visiting urology acting interns with travel and accommodation expenses during their rotation at UAB. These awards are available to fourth-year medical students who complete the supplemental application. Students will be reviewed and selected by our education leadership committee.
The stipend application deadline is May 22, 2026.
UAB Urology Access and Engagement Award Application Opens an external link.
Students Underserved Curriculum in the Southeastern Section of the AUA: SUC-SES Webinar
Hosted by Dr. Carmen Tong and UAB Urology, this webinar features chairs and program directors from the Southeastern Section of the AUA and is designed to help medical students prepare for urology residency. The panel discusses key topics such as acting internships, ERAS applications, interview expectations, and strategies for success during the residency selection process. Students will gain practical guidance on delivering grand rounds presentations, building meaningful professional relationships, and securing strong letters of recommendation. Education leaders from top urology programs across the Southeast provide valuable insights into personal statements, research involvement, and effective preference signaling within the AUA match platform.