Residency Training Program in General Pediatrics

Pediatric Research

Interested residents have ample opportunity to participate in both clinical and basic research projects conducted within the divisions of the Department of Pediatrics or in collaboration with other clinical or basic science departments. At present the Department of Pediatrics at SUNY Downstate receives approximately 6 million dollars in research funding through various sources including multiple NIH grants. Clinical and basic research training are available in many of the subspecialties especially allergy and immunology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology and oncology, HIV, neonatology, infectious disease, nephrology and pulmonology. Faculty members enthusiastically welcome resident participation in the numerous clinical studies underway and are readily available to mentor residents in the resident's own hypothesis driven studies. The department has several core research laboratories. The institution provides statistical support through the Scientific and Academic Computing Center and grant finding support through the Research Foundation. Tutorials and assistance are also provided to assist with obtaining Institutional Review Board approval. Time is available weekly to participate in studies longitudinally. Some residents have taken a research elective month. Several residents have received American Academy of Pediatrics Resident Research Grants as well as community research CATCH grants. In addition, the department competitively awards 2-3 resident research grants annually. Residents have additional financial support available to them for research, and expenses for presenting research findings at regional and national meetings are defrayed by the department. The department encourages and supports research participation; however, individual motivation and inclination is required. When desired, research involving other departments within the medical school, including the basic sciences, can be arranged.

Subspecialty Training Programs (Fellowships)

Subspecialty residencies leading to subspecialty certification are available in the following fields: adolescent medicine, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, nephrology, pulmonology as well as in allergy/immunology and neurology. Individuals may communicate directly with the subspecialty program in which they are interested or with the office of the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics for more information.

Accredited institutional programs exist for many other specialties including pediatric surgery, pediatric radiology, child psychiatry, pediatric neurology, dermatology, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and rehabilitative medicine to name a few.

Specialty Divisions

• Adolescent Medicine
• Allergy and Immunology/Rheumatology
• General Pediatrics/Ambulatory Care
• Cardiology
• Child Development and Psychology
• Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
• Critical Care
• Dermatology
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Gastroenterology and Nutrition
• Genetics
• Hematology and Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neonatology
• Nephrology
• Pediatric A.I.D.S. Network
• Pulmonology

Combined Pediatrics/Internal Medicine Program

This is a four-year residency program leading to dual certification by the American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Internal Medicine. It is suitable for applicants interested in primary care as well as those who wish to pursue subspecialty training, especially in a field germane to all age groups. Most residents alternate every six months between pediatrics and medicine. The pediatrics component occurs at all Downstate pediatrics' facilities: Kings County, University Hospital of Brooklyn (Children's Hospital Downstate), Staten Island University Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering. The internal medicine training component is provided through the highly regarded internal medicine program at Staten Island University Hospital (and at KCHC/UHB though June 2004).

Primary Care

While all residents are prepared for primary care pediatrics, for individuals interested in entering primary care practice immediately upon completing this program, a primary care scheduling emphasis is an option. During this program, additional time is spent in ambulatory care settings with rotations through a wide variety of outpatient clinics including pediatric and surgical subspecialties. Residents can be assigned to two continuity practice sessions (1/2 day each) each week. General emphasis is placed on outpatient experiences and problems pertinent to the primary care practice of pediatrics. Residents will be assigned to pediatric practice settings both on and off-campus. Residents will also develop an association with a faculty preceptor/mentor engaged in general pediatric practice.

Preliminary Pediatric Year

A limited number of positions are available for individuals interested in one year of pediatric training prior to entering another specialty training program. This is geared to individuals entering programs that require a preliminary year in general medicine or pediatrics, such as anesthesiology, radiology, dermatology, radiation oncology or rehabilitation medicine. Preliminary year experiences are determined with the program director and are designed to best suit the residents specialty career objectives.

Flexible Scheduling and Religious Observation

One of the advantages of a large and diverse housestaff is the ability to arrange alternative but educationally equivalent schedules. For residents requiring modified weekly or on call assignments, such as for religious observance, and for residents requiring modified annual schedules, such as delayed start dates, amenable arrangements can usually be made. Cases are reviewed on an individual basis and accommodations acceptable to the resident, program director, chairman, and in compliance with American Board of Pediatrics requirements are achieved. A Religious Accommodation Policy exists and is available for those interested.