Our philosophy is that learning is best accomplished by a combination of hands-on patient experience coupled with didactic and task-oriented conferences.
Morning report is scheduled on Monday and Friday mornings and is an open conference that focuses on the assessment and management of interesting patients admitted recently. Faculty, residents and students all are encouraged to participate in the discussion, which is moderated by the chief residents.
A senior resident presents an interesting case as an unknown during morning report. Faculty, residents and students are encouraged to participate in the discussion in order to develop a differential diagnosis and plan for evaluation. Once the diagnosis is disclosed, the presenter gives a brief discussion of a salient or unusual aspect of the case, with additional comments from the faculty.
Residents have protected time every Tuesday afternoon for core conferences. Faculty present a coordinated lecture series on topics that include a core curriculum in primary care and subspecialty pediatrics. This curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education in pediatrics as well as to prepare the house staff to pass the ABP certification examination. The curriculum is complemented by MedChallenger Online Study Modules. Additionally, board review sessions are conducted each spring. Conferences are live-streamed in case residents are unable to physically attend.
Grand Rounds are scheduled on Tuesday at noon and are attended by faculty, house staff, medical students and practicing physicians from the community. Distinguished faculty from other institutions, faculty from pediatrics and other departments with the VCU Medical Center are among the presenters.
The program directors and chief residents are always available to the housestaff. Additionally, monthly housestaff town hall meetings allow residents to meet with the program directors and chief residents in a group setting to discuss any concerns. The following conferences also occur throughout the year:
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.
Learn more about our curriculum:
Residents are selected through the National Resident Matching Program. You must apply using the ERAS System.
