Curriculum Overview
Our goal is to make sure that our comprehensive general pediatrics residency “fits each resident” – meaning that residents can tailor their curriculum to match their learning style and professional goals. As such, we offer a two-tiered, individualized curriculum.
The first tier involves residency training “tracks.” Tracks are longitudinal programs that medical students apply to with the intent of participating in that track throughout the duration of their residency. All tracks have 24 months of pediatric training in common, ensuring that graduates all provide superb pediatric care and can pursue careers in general pediatrics or subspecialty training. Additional rotations are included in each track to offer residents opportunities that meet their unique career goals and interests.
Discover Tracks and Pathways
Categorical Track
This is the traditional residency training curriculum that provides a broad exposure to inpatient and outpatient opportunities with a significant amount of customizable elective time. There are approximately 24 residents per year in this track.
(LAUnCH)
Leadership in Advocacy, Under-resourced Communities and Health Equity
This track provides a supportive and cohesive learning community that focuses on improving the health of under-resourced patients as well as the development of skills in health policy, advocacy and community healthcare delivery. There are approximately eight residents per year in this track.
Primary Care Track
This track provides focused and consecutive block time in a primary care practice so that residents can gain in-depth exposure to the daily routine and inner workings of a practice. Elective opportunities in advocacy, health policy and community health are also available. There are approximately five residents per year in this track.
Research Track
This track is for residents with substantial previous research experience and a desire to continue to build their careers as physician-scientists during residency. A customized mentoring committee of experienced Children’s National investigators is assembled for each Research Track resident. There are up to two residents per year in this track.
Pediatrics and Medical Genetics Combined Residency Program
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), in conjunction with Children's National Hospital, offers a unique opportunity for medical school graduates to complete a combined, four-year residency program in pediatrics and medical genetics. There is one resident per year in this track.
Child Neurology Residency Program
This is a five-year training program, consisting of two years of pediatric residency training followed by three years of neurology fellowship training designed to prepare physicians to diagnose and treat a wide range of child neurology disorders. There are three residents per year in this track.
Policy, Equity, and Advocacy for Kids (PEAK)
The PEAK Pathway consists of a number of optional activities aimed at helping residents achieve goals and objectives specific to inpatient careers.
Global Health Residency Pathway
This pathway provides an opportunity for residents to focus part of their residency education on developing knowledge and skills in global health through didactic teaching, experiential learning and faculty mentorship.
Medical Education Pathway
This pathway allows residents to work with supervising faculty to develop a tailored experience in adult learning theory principles and undergraduate and/or graduate medical education.
Explore Curriculum and Rotation Information
Impact of Upcoming Changes to ACGME Requirements
The ACGME has revised the requirements for pediatric residency clinical exposures.
Utilizing the new requirements and longitudinal feedback from our residents and faculty, we have made revisions to our curriculum to be phased in with the incoming intern class beginning June 2025. We are excited to augment our immersive curriculum with additional opportunities to prepare residents for their careers serving children and families.
Our incoming residents’ clinical experiences will remain immersive as they learn and serve in our busy quaternary care hospital.
Their experience will differ by:
- Requiring increased ambulatory exposure to core subspecialties, including mental health.
- Reducing required level IV NICU exposure, achieving a balance between delivery and referral NICUs. Overall, there will be 2 months of NICU and 2 months of PICU rotations required for most residents with many opportunities for more exposure if aligned with their future career paths.
- Remain accountable to our community by expanding our Community Based Service-Learning Curriculum.