Pediatrics Residency Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Statement and Program Aims

The mission of our program follows that of the USA Office of Graduate Medical Education: to develop the clinical competency, medical knowledge, and professional attributes of pediatric physicians, to promote the safe and effective care for children, to advance the art of healing through quality improvement and medical research, and to develop skills of lifelong learning.  

The goal of our program is to train a diverse group of resident physicians to become: 

1. Professional and competent pediatricians to care for infants, children and young adults of the Gulf Coast, the State of Alabama and the nation, with a focus on quality and safety; 
2. Advocates for children at the local, regional, national and international level; 
3. Dedicated to lifelong learning and advancement of knowledge 
4. Qualified to take the certifying examination of the American Board of Pediatrics and well prepared to become leaders in their personal and professional communities  

Overview of the Program

The pediatric residency program at the University of South Alabama is a medium-sized, University-based program that is designed to be flexible, preparing our residents to enter practice as general pediatricians or for subspecialty training. Our residents receive the knowledge and experience needed to practice pediatrics of the highest quality. 

The Department of Pediatrics offers a three-year residency program in a stimulating and friendly environment. Our residency program prepares the pediatrician-in-training to practice effective primary care pediatrics in the community, while simultaneously providing flexibility, allowing those interested in subspecialty training, academic pediatrics, and research the necessary background to pursue their professional goals.

USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital is a free-standing facility dedicated to providing quality care to the children and women of the Gulf Coast area.

Our pediatric resident training program is open and friendly, providing an atmosphere where housestaff and faculty interact at a level that promotes rapid professional growth. The faculty are readily available for consultation and informal discussion of patient-related problems. Regularly scheduled conferences are presented in an open and non-threatening atmosphere optimal for learning and promoting communication between housestaff, faculty, and community pediatricians. As there are no pediatric fellowships at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, residents achieve greater autonomy and a close relationships with attending physicians.

We believe that learning is best accomplished through:

• Hands-on experience
• Warm, supportive working and learning environment
• Progressive responsibility for taking care of patients and their families
• Progressive responsibility for teaching families, students, and fellow residents
• High quality and readily available contact with faculty
• Establishing primary care relationships with patients and their families
• Interactive and structured conference; and
• Independent, systematic study

We offer 12 residency positions for each year level in the categorical Pediatric Residency Program. In addition, there are 2-3 positions for each year level in the Internal Medicine / Pediatrics Combined Residency Program. Therefore, there is a peer group of 15-16 residents for each year level. This number provides for a good mix of abilities, talents, and personalities while allowing residents to forge personal relationships. The Pediatric Leadership team selects two fourth-year chief residents on the basis of outstanding ability in patient care, teaching, and leadership. A Pediatric chief resident supervises in the inpatient and outpatient settings, makes call and clinic schedules, and participates in residency administration.

Graduates of our program choose a diverse mix of general pediatrics and subspecialty options as the next steps in their careers. Of the residents who graduated over the past 10 years, 45 percent chose General Pediatrics and 55 percent matched into subspecialty training and practice.

Our residency program accepts graduates from U.S. and international allopathic medical schools and U.S. osteopathic medical schools. We accept either the USMLE or COMLEX examinations.

The residency program utilizes a 4+2 block rotational system with a goal of providing a well-rounded education in Pediatrics and preparing residents for a variety of career opportunities following training: Subspecialist, Primary Care Provider, Hospitalist, etc. Residents are able to choose longitudinal electives as part of their ambulatory blocks. Residents have the opportunity to foster mentor relationships with faculty during their individualized educational experience. A wide variety of clinical experiences are coupled with regularly scheduled didactic conferences and a Core Curriculum. 

A recently-opened simulation lab is available to our residents. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) used is Cerner. Residents are provided with Dragon Dictation to ensure efficiency when utilizing the EHR. 

Lecture and Educational Conferences  

• Noon Conference 
• Grand Rounds 
• Journal Club 
• Quality Patient Care Conference  
• Case Conference  
• Tumor Board 
• Children with Special Needs 
• Meconium Bowl     

Resident Progress

• PGY-1: The first-year resident functions as the primary physician for children on the pediatric inpatient service, and in the nursery, the clinic and the Pediatric Emergency Department. The PGY-1 is responsible for the initial history and physical examination, developing an assessment and management plan, performing general pediatric diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, communicating with parents and consulting services, and instructing medical students on pediatric clerkships. 
• PGY-2: The second-year resident assumes a more supervisory role on the inpatient, clinic, and emergency department and more intensive involvement in medical student instruction. The PGY-2 should advance towards independence in the management of routine ambulatory and inpatient pediatric problems and begin to develop expertise in subspecialty areas, including pediatric critical care.
• PGY-3: The third-year resident is the leader of the pediatric inpatient teams. The PGY-3 supervises PGY-1s and PGY-2s; family practice residents on the pediatric service; and junior and senior medical students on pediatric rotations. It is anticipated the PGY-3 will demonstrate progressive independence in the assessment and management of complex problems in pediatrics. 

Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum is based on the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) content outline. These conferences occur at noon and all conferences are presented by Pediatric and ancillary faculty.   

The content of these sessions is organized to assist preparation for the American Board of Pediatrics Certification Examination.  Learning is supplanted by completion of question banks provided by the program. Question banks include the American Academy of Pediatrics PREP-Self Assessment and MedStudy.  

The core curriculum covers the entire ABP content outline over 16 months and is repeated twice, thus ensuring the residents learn the materials more than once in residency. 

Morning Report is attended by all students, residents, and faculty involved in the inpatient service at USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital. This conference focuses on evidence-based solutions to clinical issues related to recent admissions.

Grand Rounds is a weekly didactic conference presented by faculty of the pediatric department, supporting faculty from other departments and guest lecturers. Grand Rounds topics are chosen to address new information in the field of Pediatrics as well as the core educational objectives of pediatric residency education. Grand Rounds attendance is open to all interested individuals within the university and community.

Pediatric Case Conference is a weekly conference focusing on clinical application of the Core Curriculum content for that week. Pediatric Conference attendance is open to all interested individuals within the university and community.

Residency Conference is a weekly conference and is primarily an interactive conference that addresses topics and skills important to the practice of pediatrics as well as periodic residency business meetings. Lunch is provided. Active participation is strongly encouraged. This conference is open primarily to residents.

Subspecialty Conferences are held during most of the subspecialty rotations and consist of regular conferences and/or small group seminars. These conferences range from multi-disciplinary to one-on-one sessions.

Research and Scholarly Activity

The program supports participation of residents in scholarly activity – whether it be related to a clinical question, quality improvement project or advocacy. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, residents engage in every step from conceptualization and development of hypothesis and protocol, attainment of approval from the Institutional Review Board, data collection, data analysis, writing of the abstract or manuscript and presentation of the project.   

Their months-long efforts culminate in the presentation of their project at the annual Department of Pediatrics Research Day in April of their second year of residency. The resident with the best project receives the Charles J. Hoff Research Award. 

The residency program also sponsors residents in their participation at the annual Southern Regional Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Many residents have presented their projects at the University of South Alabama Resident and Fellow Scholarship Exposition, and national meetings.   

Building Resident Resilience and Wellness

At USA Peds, we are aware that residency will prove demanding even to those with advanced stress management skills. We provide many activities which foster resident wellness both inside and outside of the hospital.

Resident Activities

Wellness Retreats 

All wellness retreats include Medicine/Pediatric residents to promote team-building. 

Residents are relieved of clinical duties to spend a day with one another at various locations in Mobile for a wellness retreat. Retreats include time for group discussion, outdoor exploration and team-building games. 

Wellness Conferences 

These conferences are planned throughout the year. Conferences consist of rock painting, yoga and shredding your stress. 

The Wave Wellness Room

This room offers resources that are beneficial and offer tools for our residents to practice ongoing self-care and coping skills. Resources vary such as aromatherapy, calming music, dim lights, fidget tools and more. 

Fitness 

The JagFIT gym, a new gym with both cardio and weight equipment/machines, is open 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Located near the residency office, staff and physicians are encouraged to utilize the gym for fitness and stress management. 

For other well-being references please visit the GME Website.

Adolescent Medicine

• McGaw Medical 

Cardiology

• The Children’s at Montefiore
• Children’s Hospital of New Orleans 
• University of Miami 

Critical Care

• University of Buffalo
• University of Maryland Medical Center

Developmental- Behavior

• Case Western Reserve University/ Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital 

Endocrinology

• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 
• Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
• Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center    
• University of Florida in Gainesville 
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Texas Children’s Hospital  

Emergency Medicine

• Kentucky Children’s Hospital
• University of Florida in Gainesville 
• University of Nevada 

Gastroenterology

• Children’s Mercy Hospital
• Massachusetts General Hospital 
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Texas Children’s Hospital 
• Phoenix Children’s Hospital 

Genetics

• National Institute of Health

Hematology- Oncology

• Memorial Sloan-Kettering
• New York University Langone Health
• Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH)

Infectious Disease

• Children’s National Hospital
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 

Neonatology

• Cleveland Clinic
• Loma Linda University
• University of Iowa                                           
• UT Health Science Center Children’s Memorial
  Hermann Hospital

Neurology

• UT Southwestern Medical Center 

Pulmonology

• UC Irvine 

Sports Medicine

• Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital  

According to the University of South Alabama Department of Pediatrics, the following fee structure applies to requests for postgraduate training verification:

• $100.00- Verification of training dates and/or program completion provided on our form, to be used for credentialing purposes only and issued in response to a request by a hospital or other agency with a valid authorization for release of information.  
• $200.00- Verification of training dates and program specifics on training including procedures and narratives on resident performance provided on institution or agency’s form with a valid authorization for release of information. 
• $25.00 Should notary be required on form.  

Additional Fees (Email or Fax- No Fee)

• Overnight FedEx Shipping $40.00 (NO P.O BOX) 
• Standard FedEx Shipping $15.00 (NO P.O BOX) 

Payment by check made Payable to:  

South Alabama Medical Science Foundation (SAMSF) 

Checks are to be mailed to:  

University of South Alabama Department of Pediatrics  

ATTN: Pediatric Residency Program Coordinator  

Nicole Adair  

1700 Center Street – CWEB Room #1536 

Mobile, AL 36604.  

Requests submitted without payment will not be processed. Requests are to be specific and must be accompanied by an authorization for release form. If you have questions you may contact the Pediatric Education office at (251) 415-1087 or email Nicole Adair at nadair@health.southalabama.edu. 

We encourage you to apply and interview with us.  

Children's & Women's Hospital has the area's only Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), admitting more than 1,000 infants a year to its 98-bed facility. Our Pediatric Emergency Department is also a Level III facility. As the hospital is the top provider for children in the area, pediatric patients are transferred up to 100 miles to receive care by our hospitalists, intensivists, hematologists-oncologists, and a variety of subspecialists. 

Please view our enthusiastic healthcare community at the following sites:
USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital Facebook
USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital Instagram

Follow @USA_Pediatric_Residency on Instagram for content curated by our Pediatric Chief Residents. 

How to Apply

We accept applications only via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) from the Association of American Medical Colleges, and all positions are offered through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

At least three letters of recommendation are required; however, a letter from your pediatric department chair is not required. All applications received through ERAS are reviewed by the program director. 

Applicants who are selected for interview will be invited through ERAS via email. Our residency program coordinator will send your itinerary and detailed instructions about your interview day. Please email pedsresidency@health.southalabama.edu if you experience any scheduling issues.

We interview applicants virtually during an AM or PM session. Applicants may select their desired session at the time of scheduling an interview.  We look forward to getting to know you, introducing ourselves to you, and showing you the excellent training we offer. 

There are no minimum cut-off scores for USMLE. For international graduates, graduating within the last three to five years is desired, and You must have a valid ECFMG certificate. We do not require U.S. experience. We sponsor J-1 visas only. 

For our program, a complete ERAS application includes the following: 

• MSPE (Dean’s Letter) 
• Medical School transcript 
• 3 letters of recommendation (with at least 1 from a pediatrician) 
• USMLE or COMLEX scores 
• Personal statement

Prior to beginning training, applicants must also:  

• Provide passing Step 1 and Step 2 (CK) USMLE or Level 1 and Level 2 COMLEX scores 
• ECFMG Certificate (if applicable) 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply to your program?

You must apply through ERAS.

Do you participate in the National Residency Matching Program?

Yes.

Is there a cut off from the date of graduation?

Yes, you should be within five years of graduation from medical school. 

Is there an application deadline?

Yes, all applications must be received by the program by December 12th. 

How many residents do you match each year?

We are currently approved for twelve categorical spots per year.  

Do you accept COMLEX and USMLE scores? 

Yes, we accept both COMLEX and USMLE scores. 

What about Step 1 and 2?

There are no minimum cut-off scores for USMLE, we do take into consideration any failed attempt. 

What does a typical application consist of for those who are invited to interview?

With your USMLE scores, letters of recommendation have the most weight upon the selection process and should include at least one from a general pediatrician. A letter from your pediatric department chair is not required. Honors in the pediatric clerkship, and a strong personal statement are also strongly considered. All applications received through ERAS are reviewed by the program director.

Do you offer observerships?

Our department does not process observerships. 

International Medical Graduates

Do you take International Medical Graduates into your program?

Yes, we do.

Do I have to be ECFMG certified?

Yes, you must be ECFMG certified.

Do you sponsor or accept any visas?

Yes, we sponsor J1 visas. All applicants who match with us are responsible for all visa fees. All matched applicants must obtain a valid visa prior to intern orientation (approx. last week of June yearly). We encourage J1 visas for eligible matched applicants. We refer matched interns to the ECFMG website regarding all the necessary paperwork.

Do you sponsor H1-b visas?

No, we only sponsor J1 visas.

Does your institution accept an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?

Yes, we do.

Is U.S. clinical experience required?

We do not require U.S. clinical experience to apply to our program. 

USA Pediatric NRMP Program Number

Categorical Pediatric Residency: 1852320C0

For more information, please contact our residency program coordinator at pedsresidency@health.southalabama.edu.

Department of Pediatrics Residency Program
University of South Alabama
1700 Center Street
Mobile, AL 36604
Phone: (251) 415-1087
Email: pedsresidency@health.southalabama.edu

Instagram: @usa_pediatric_residency