1. What are the strengths about this program?
Since April 1996, Connecticut Children's Medical Center (CCMC), a free-standing children’s hospital, has been the academic home for the Department of Pediatrics and the principal training site for the University of Connecticut Pediatric Residency Program. We provide the widest array of cutting-edge treatment and care in the state for children of all ages. Through our contemporary curriculum and the outstanding faculty in the department of pediatrics and related specialties, residents learn to become highly skilled, dedicated and compassionate physicians committed to the care of children. Please see CCMC’s brochure, The Annual Report of the Department of Pediatrics and CCMC’s website at www.ccmckids.org for more information.
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2. What are the opportunities to prepare for Fellowship in this program?
During the 2nd year of residency, residents attend a Career Planning Workshop. This workshop geared towards having residents start thinking, deciding and planning their career options (fellowship, generalist, etc.) after graduation. The workshop also covers identifying a mentor for direction, updating your CV, how to find a job/fellowship, and reaching contract negotiations or applying to become a chief resident.
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3. Tell me about your fellowship programs.
The University Pediatric Residency Program offers several fellowship programs in the following specialities: Endocrinology, General Academic Pediatrics, Genetics, Pediatrics-Genetics, Neonatology, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Pulmonology. The overall goal for those who participate in fellowships is to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to later have a career in a corresponding field.
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4. What is the community elective like? How does it work?
The 1st year residents can select up to 2 block electives, the 2nd year residents can choose up to 3 block electives and the 3rd year residents can choose up to 4 block electives and can choose a community experience(s) as an elective. The goal of the community is for residents to develop an understanding the needs of patients as individuals in the community and develop relationships with community physicians. Some of the pediatric community electives include: Government Relations and Advocacy, Child Abuse, Medical Homes for Children with Special Health Care Needs. Pediatric residents also have the opportunity to design and create their own community electives as well as community programs and projects.
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5. Are there any research opportunities?
Residents may elect one to two research blocks. A wide variety of research opportunities is available to residents both in the Department of Pediatrics and elsewhere in the medical school and community. These range from molecular medicine to clinical studies or community projects. Residents will find faculty eager to help them identify and pursue these research experiences.
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6. In what settings does formal teaching occur?
Learning and teaching takes place in various settings: lectures, presentations, one-on-one coaching, conferences, and clinical encounters etc. We have a required didactic curriculum every Friday from 7:30-9:30 am with 2 topics per session. Residents present 2 case managements during their senior years on a topic of their choice.
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7. Do residents participate in night float?
All residents do approximately 8 weeks of night float experience during the second and third year. This is generally done in two week assignments to the inpatient service. The night float resident is on call Sunday through Thursday night, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 am.
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8. What about work duty hours?
We are in full compliance with the ACGME duty hour requirements. That means that our residents will not, and cannot work more than a maximum of 30 consecutive hours on call, have no less than 1 day off in 7 when averaged across the month as representing our busiest rotations, and have no less than 10 hours off between shifts.
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9. What do the residents typically go into, e.g. primary care vs. specialty?
Historically, fifty percent of our resident graduates have entered a general pediatrics practice. Of this group, many have chosen to engage in primary care practice here in Connecticut. The remaining fifty percent of our graduates enter subspecialty fellowships and general hospitalist careers.
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10. Where do most residents live?
The majority of our residents live in Connecticut, typically in the greater Hartford area, within15 to 30 minutes from the CT Children’s Medical Center.
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11. Is the yearly salary increase based on the cost of living?
Yes, the yearly salary increase is based on the cost of living and then it is presented to board of directors for approval. Additionally, the yearly increase is based on the Coth Report which summarizes the salaries for residents in New England at teaching hospitals.
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12. Can I send a "Universal Application for Residency"?
Applications will only be accepted through ERAS. Application materials received through the U.S. Postal Service will not be reviewed. You may learn more about ERAS at: http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm.
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13. When is your deadline for applications?
The deadline for applications is December 1st.
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14. How many letters of recommendation do I need to submit?
We require a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation. One of the recommendation letters should be from a core pediatric elective.
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15. Do you require a letter from the Chair of Pediatrics?
A Chair of Pediatrics including a Program Director letter is an option but is not required.
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16. Do all of my letters of recommendation need to be from pediatricians?
We require that only one of your 3 letters of recommendations be from a pediatric faculty member.
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17. Is there a maximum number of letters of recommendation you will accept?
Since we only accept applications through ERAS, there is often a limitation to how many letters of recommendations that it will accept. In previous years ERAS has accepted a maximum of 4 letters. We will review all of your letters of recommendation that we receive through ERAS.
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18. How will I be notified if I am offered an interview?
We send an interview invitation via email to the applicants we have reviewed and wish to offer an interview. If we do not receive a response from you, we will contact you by telephone.
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19. When should I call to schedule an interview?
Selected applicants will be invited to schedule an interview after review of their application. However, you can call or email our pediatric residency office to find out if your application has been reviewed.
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20. When are interviews scheduled?
Interviews are scheduled between the months of November and January.
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21. May I request a particular pediatric subspecialty physician to interview me at the residency interview?
Yes, you may request a particular pediatric subspecialty physician to interview you. Just review the faculty section of our website and let us know who you would like to interview you.
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22. How are applicants selected?
We select our applicants based on several criteria. We consider both past academic and professional performances as well as founded interests in pediatrics. Along with an individual’s application, their interview also plays a large role in the decision making process.
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23. What is it like to live around the Hartford area?
The Hartford area provides an opportunity to conveniently live in an urban, suburban, or rural setting. Many residents live in the surrounding cities and enjoy the proximity to hospitals as well as the many opportunities often found in urban settings: theater, film, music, sports, and restaurants are all within easy reach. Please contact the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce for more information about the Hartford area: www.metrohartford.com.
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