The internship program was named in honor of Dr. Hugh Edmondson who established a summer research program for qualified undergraduate students to conduct research under the supervision and mentorship of pathology faculty at the University of Southern California in 1969. The internship program was brought to UC Davis in 1980 by Dr. Murray Gardner, who was mentored by Dr. Edmondson. Dr. Robert Cardiff became chair of the department in 1991 and brought the internship program to the UC Davis Medical Center at Sacramento. Since 1991, over 200 bright and dedicated students have participated in the program, many of whom have chosen careers in the health sciences.