Program Description:
This paid internship opportunity (hourly, $7.10) is available to one Political Science major per summer from Longwood University at the Richmond, Virginia business offices of MCV Physicians, the group practice corporation for the attending physicians at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia.  The Legal Services office handles all facets of health care law, non-profit corporate law, and medical malpractice defense litigation.  The division also operates a professional liability self-insurance program through an off-shore Bermuda captive insurance company.  Students will be expected to assist in the operation of the office under the supervision of Grey Sweeney, Director of Legal Services, and Barbara Westerfield, Associate Director for Claims and Litigation.

Learning Objectives for Interns:
Student interns will be expected to learn how an in-house legal department functions, particularly in the academic health care setting.  The intern will learn the basic structure of medical malpractice litigation and claims administration, the differences between commercial insurance and self-insurance, and be introduced to the overall structure and function of a physicians’ group practice as a business.  The intern will demonstrate an ability to perform both internet and hard copy research, interact with attorneys and physicians, and have the flexibility to adapt in a fast-paced environment.  This internship experience will expose the student to the business and legal side of the provision of medical services.

Qualifications:
     Political Science Major
     Must be a sophomore, junior, or senior
     Must have at least a 2.5 GPA
     Must have earned at least a B in Political Science 150 (American
     Government and Politics)
     Must have a professional resume
     Must have a recommendation from a political science professor

Application Process:
Having met the above qualifications, applicants must meet with the Chair of the Department of History and Political Science in order to discuss their qualifications, what they hope to achieve during the internship, the number of credits hours being sought, and departmental expectations regarding their work.  If an applicant receives the approval of the Department Chair, the applicant will then
schedule an interview with Grey Sweeney (Director of Legal Services) in order to win final approval for participation in this internship program.  If accepted by the Director, the student then meets with the Chair in order to work out the registration process.

Evaluation of Student Work
The sponsoring faculty member (usually the Department Chair) will assign a grade based on the evaluation of site supervisor Grey Sweeney and an assessment by the faculty member of how well the student met the terms of the original plan developed for the student prior to beginning the internship.

  MCV Physicians Legal Services Interns
Summer 1999  Alicia Bennet--Political Science Major, Class of 2000
Summer 2000  Interested students should contact Dr. Harbour at bharbour@longwood.edu