Pediatrics

Pediatric Residency | CMU College of Medicine

Community-based program with a primary care focus

The Central Michigan University (CMU) College of Medicine Pediatric Residency program is founded upon the strong training history of the region. Our experienced pediatric faculty actively train medical students, EM, and FM residents. Our pediatric faculty is composed of core and non-core faculty in the clinic and hospital settings. Pediatric residents will develop a strong foundation with skills to manage a robust medical home focusing on nutrition, well-being, mental health, coordination of care, and preventive care. 

The primary site is Covenant HealthCare, the referral center for pediatric patients in the northeastern 20 counties of Michigan with 20,000 emergency visits, 1000 pediatric admissions, a ten-bed PICU, and a 40-bed level III NICU. Close-knit teams allow direct resident-attending interactions, and residents provide the first line of care for pediatric patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition, collaboration with the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship will strengthen resident's confidence in assessing and managing common mental health issues that take place in pediatric offices.

Why choose CMU for pediatric medicine?

As a resident in pediatric medicine, you'll train in a team-oriented, supportive environment designed to shape competent and confident physicians.  The program offers the following:

  • Night float system (no every 4th-night call).
  • On-site CMU College of Medicine educational building with classrooms, state-of-the-art simulation lab, medical library, and communal spaces.
  • Small, dedicated faculty provide directed mentorship.
  • Opportunity for research and publishing.
  • Outstanding inpatient pediatric experience.

As a resident, you'll take an active role in the interview process and selection of incoming residency classes.  You will experience a multicultural environment and diverse background.  You will advocate for patients and access to quality care while supporting each other's wellness.  

Our faculty are recipients of numerous teaching accolades from current learners, including medical students, Emergency Medicine (EM), and Family Medicine (FM) residents.  They come from diverse personal and training backgrounds while being active on the regional, state, and national level.  Our faculty value a positive culture that promotes learning and individual well-being.

Program highlights

  • 3-year program 
  • Accredited by ACGME 
  • Away rotations at Children’s Hospital and University of Michigan with travel stipend
  • Collaboration and integration with Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
  • Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and 10 bed PICU 
  • Night float system 
  • Inpatient pediatric experience 
  • Residents choose nine of their rotations
  • Residents will become Centering Parenting certified
  • Rotations designed to experience variable models of medical homes for at-risk pediatric patients
  • Self-Directed Learning Curriculum
  • State-of-the-art simulated procedural training onsite

Curriculum

The CMU Pediatric Residency curriculum is based on 13 blocks per year. We feel this strikes a good balance of adequate time in a particular area to learn what needs to be learned but provides the opportunity for additional resident-selected rotations. Residents will have the opportunity to select up to 9 rotations during their training that are oriented toward their own personal learning and career goals.

Pediatric block schedule

Didactics

Didactics take place once a week on Wednesday afternoons during which protected educational time, residents are not responsible for covering patients. The core didactic curriculum is based on an 18-month repeating curriculum to allow residents to cover important core topics twice during residency. 

  • In addition to these core lectures, this educational time will also include:
    • Case reports
    • Grand Rounds
    • Simulation sessions in our state-of-the-art simulation center
    • Board review
    • Journal club
    • Collaborative lesson with the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program
    • Research Topics/Quality Improvement
    • Billing and Documentation
    • Business of running a practice
    • Resident Wellness

Pediatrics residents in action

Our pediatric residents at work and play during their residency program.