Residency Training Program in General Pediatrics

Critical Care Rotations 

Experiences in neonatal and pediatric critical care are among the most challenging, rewarding, and memorable aspects of pediatric residency training. As a university-based teaching program, our residents receive comprehensive exposure to the care of critically ill newborns and children through dedicated rotations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at University Hospital at Downstate. 

Under the guidance of experienced pediatric critical care and neonatal-perinatal medicine specialists, residents develop the knowledge, clinical judgment, and procedural skills necessary to evaluate and manage critically ill patients. 

Residents are actively involved in all aspects of patient care, including initial stabilization, clinical assessment, interpretation of laboratory and imaging studies, development of treatment plans, participation in procedures, communication with families, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital at Downstate provides residents with experience caring for newborns requiring specialized medical care. As part of a multidisciplinary neonatal team, residents work alongside neonatologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. 

Residents gain experience in the management of premature infants, critically ill term newborns, and infants with complex medical, surgical, and neurologic conditions. The rotation provides exposure to advanced neonatal care, including respiratory support, management of neonatal emergencies, and care of infants requiring intensive monitoring and specialized therapies. 

Through direct patient care and close mentorship from neonatal faculty, residents develop skills in newborn stabilization, clinical decision-making, family communication, and coordination of care for high-risk infants. 

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit 

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital at Downstate provides residents with experience caring for critically ill children across a wide spectrum of diagnoses. Patients include children with acute medical illnesses, respiratory failure, neurologic emergencies, severe infections, trauma, postoperative needs, oncologic conditions, and complex chronic medical problems. 

Residents work closely with pediatric intensivists and a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for critically ill patients. The rotation emphasizes recognition of clinical deterioration, stabilization of critically ill children, management of complex medical conditions, interpretation of physiologic data, procedural skills, and effective communication with families and healthcare teams. 

The PICU experience allows residents to progressively develop independence while receiving close supervision and guidance from faculty. Through this rotation, residents strengthen their ability to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to children with critical illness.