Clinical Transportation Guidelines

Students may be assigned to a clinic or hospital site outside of the Chicago campus during their clerkship or Education Centered Medical Home (ECMH) curriculum. When a clerkship or ECMH assignment requires a student to travel to an off campus site during these experiences, students are expected to utilize university shuttles, mass public transportation or their own vehicle. 

Reimbursements may be issued if a student is assigned to:

• Begin work before 6 a.m.
• Work later than 9:30 p.m. or, for those at the Jesse Brown VA, after the last shuttle
• Travel to a facility that is not readily accessible by public transportation

If any of the above conditions are true, students should reach out to the clerkship or ECMH coordinator in advance (preferred, when possible) of starting at the affected clinical site with any questions. The coordinator will work with students to identify the best method(s) of transportation and discuss whether travel to and/or from the site qualifies for partial or full reimbursement within the guidelines (see below). In specific situations, students may be reimbursed for travel via Lyft, Uber, taxi, Metra or personal car.  Students assigned to the same site are expected to travel together when possible. Please let the coordinator know which students will be traveling together.

The maximum reimbursement is $40 for each one-way trip. Exceptions may apply when multiple students travel together. In addition, tips may be reimbursed (not to exceed 15%). At times surge pricing for Lyft and Uber may be in effect and this will be taken into consideration by the coordinator when reviewing the reimbursement request.  Students using their personal vehicle will be eligible for reimbursement using the Northwestern University per mile rate, which folds in the cost of fuel. Transportation between campus and Union Station and Oglivie Metra stations and onboard fees are not reimbursed. 

These guidelines are subject to change without notice.