Curriculum and Training
Our curriculum is designed to balance immersive clinical training, progressive autonomy and innovative educational and career development experiences to prepare residents for their next steps. Residents care for patients in varied settings to experience a breadth of pediatrics both in our quaternary care hospital and in the community.
There are five weeks of vacation intern year, four weeks during second year and four weeks during third year. In addition to vacation, all residents have a call free block each year which can support elective rotations at other institutions or global health experiences abroad.
Curriculum Overview
First Year
All interns experience primary care clinic, well newborns at Holy Cross Hospital, a Level III B NICU at The George Washington University, the Emergency Department, two blocks of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, one block of subspecialty wards and two subspecialty rotations in a variety of settings. Residents choose their activities during elective and subspecialty selective to explore individual interests and fill self-identified knowledge gaps.
Second Year
During the second year, residents broaden patient care experience, increase autonomy and assume clinical leadership roles. Residents immerse themselves in Adolescent Medicine, Primary Care, Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Emergency Department, Hematology/Oncology, Cardiology, Nephrology, NICU/ PICU, Mental Health and Service Learning experiences. Residents also have the opportunity to explore individual interests during elective, subspecialty selective and track-specific rotations.
Third Year
Third year residents serve in leadership and precepting roles in outpatient and inpatient rotations. Seniors serve as inpatient and primary care senior resident as well as immersing themselves in rotations in the NICU/ PICU, Emergency Department, Mental Health, Infectious Diseases, a senior-level Development rotation and individualized interests.
Residency Program Details
Our Didactics
Research Elective
Resident Schedule
Discover Our Tracks
Our goal is to make sure that our comprehensive general pediatrics residency “fits each resident” – meaning that residents can tailor their curriculum to match their learning style and professional goals. As such, we offer a two-tiered, individualized curriculum.
The first tier involves residency training “tracks.” Tracks are longitudinal programs that medical students apply to with the intent of participating in that track throughout the duration of their residency. All tracks have 24 months of pediatric training in common, ensuring that graduates all provide superb pediatric care and can pursue careers in general pediatrics or subspecialty training. Additional rotations are included in each track to offer residents opportunities that meet their unique career goals and interests.
Categorical Track
This is the traditional residency training curriculum that provides a broad exposure to inpatient and outpatient opportunities with a significant amount of customizable elective time. There are approximately 24 residents per year in this track.
(LAUnCH)
Leadership in Advocacy, Under-resourced Communities and Health Equity
This track provides a supportive and cohesive learning community that focuses on improving the health of under-resourced patients as well as the development of skills in health policy, advocacy and community healthcare delivery. There are approximately eight residents per year in this track.
Physician Scientist Track
This track is for residents with substantial previous research experience and a desire to continue to build their careers as physician-scientists during residency. A customized mentoring committee of experienced Children’s National investigators is assembled for each Physician Scientist Track resident. There are up to two residents per year in this track.
Primary Care Track
This track provides focused and consecutive block time in a primary care practice so that residents can gain in-depth exposure to the daily routine and inner workings of a practice. Elective opportunities in advocacy, health policy and community health are also available. There are approximately five residents per year in this track.
Pediatrics and Medical Genetics Combined Residency Program
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), in conjunction with Children's National Hospital, offers a unique opportunity for medical school graduates to complete a combined, four-year residency program in pediatrics and medical genetics. There is one resident per year in this track.
Child Neurology Residency Program
This is a five-year training program, consisting of two years of pediatric residency training followed by three years of neurology fellowship training designed to prepare physicians to diagnose and treat a wide range of child neurology disorders. There are three residents per year in this track.
Explore Our Pathways
The second tier of our individualized curriculum includes our optional "pathways." Any resident can participate in any of our pathways.
JLW Leadership Pathway
The JLW Leadership Pathway addresses potential knowledge and skill gaps for residents interested in pursuing leadership roles within academic pediatrics. It aims to provide residents with the tools needed to be effective and impactful leaders.
Global Health Residency Pathway
This pathway provides an opportunity for residents to focus part of their residency education on developing knowledge and skills in global health through didactic teaching, experiential learning and faculty mentorship.
Medical Education Pathway
This pathway allows residents to work with supervising faculty to develop a tailored experience in adult learning theory principles and undergraduate and/or graduate medical education.
Policy, Education and Advocacy for Kids (PEAK)
The PEAK Pathway consists of a number of optional activities aimed at helping residents achieve goals and objectives specific to inpatient careers.
Ultrasound Pathway
The Ultrasound Pathway aims to provide pediatric residents the unique opportunity to engage in a multimodal, longitudinal curriculum designed to equip them with the essential knowledge, skills and confidence needed to effectively integrate point-of-care ultrasound into their clinical practice and future careers.
Research Opportunities
Residents have opportunities to further their research and advocacy experience during their time at Children's National through the REACH Program and CNStARR Program.