The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Pediatrics is dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate, state-of-the-art pediatric health care, research and education at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Residency program mission statement: The mission our program is to train physicians to become expert pediatricians committed to providing superior medical care to infants, children and adolescents. Our curriculum emphasizes the delivery of compassionate medical care, an active role in child advocacy, a dedication to community service, a plan for lifelong learning and a desire for the advancement of medical knowledge. These are the essential qualities that we believe define an exceptional pediatrician.
Fellowship mission statement: As part of a major metropolitan medical center, the Department of Pediatrics' Pediatric Fellowship programs provide high-quality advanced training in specialty areas of pediatric research and practice. Graduates of our fellowship programs garner the knowledge, methods and skills that enable them to provide excellence and leadership in patient care, medical problem solving, research and education.
Lee J. Sutton Jr., Ph.D., was the first full-time professor of pediatrics at the then Medical College of Virginia. During his tenure from 1928 to 1959, there were sweeping changes in medical and pediatric care. The philosophy of total care by the pediatrician for the physical, intellectual and emotional well-being of the child developed. In 1973, the Department of Pediatrics opened an adolescent unit, underlining its commitment to serve infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
During the 1980s under Harold Maurer, Ph.D., new programs in child neurology, pediatric infectious disease, critical care, gastroenterology, child psychiatry and pediatric pulmonology flourished. A pediatric primary care residency track was created in 1978. To provide housing for the families of our patients a Ronald McDonald House was opened in 1980. In 1982, all pediatric inpatient services at the VCU Medical Center relocated to the new Main Hospital.
The Board of Visitors of VCU approved the creation of the Children’s Medical Center in 1985 to encompass all programs directed by the Department of Pediatrics and affiliated pediatric subspecialty services. A combined medicine/pediatrics residency program, which began in 1988, has grown into a strong and challenging residency program.
Children and families come to us from Virginia, across the U.S., and often from out of the country. We cover nearly every pediatric health care need under the sun – from casts to cancer – from simple to complex – we do everything in our power to give kids a shot at a healthy future.
Fast facts bout CHoR
Joining CHoR and VCU Health for your residency or fellowship is like joining a family. During your time here, we’ll work together to ensure you receive hands-on, comprehensive experience in pediatrics – while finding work-life balance and making life-long friends and mentors.
Learn more about resident life, salary, benefits and the city we call home.
Our clinical team has the privilege of helping to train promising future pediatricians and specialists. Our educational programs are top-notch. In fact – our resident physicians have had a 100 percent pass rate on the pediatric boards in recent years.
As part of a major metropolitan medical center, the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s Pediatric Fellowship programs provide high-quality advanced training in specialty areas of pediatric research and practice.
