Pediatrics

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Pediatric Residency Program

Indiana University School of Medicine’s Pediatric Residency offers outstanding training, a strong network of support, and unique opportunities to focus on individual needs and interests. One of the largest and highest-rated residency programs in the United States, the Pediatrics Residency at IU School of Medicine each year accepts 25 categorical pediatrics residents and additional residents in combined pediatrics programs.  We focus on YOU and your career to provide key foundations, individualized opportunities, and mentorship to develop your interests in community pediatrics, hospital medicine, or a subspecialty.  Our graduates are very successful and highly sought for top fellowships and practice positions across the U.S. and even worldwide!

Clinical Experience with Expert Guidance

Indiana University has a unique patient population that ensures our residents have exposure to the full breadth and depth of pediatrics.  As the only academic medical center in the state— you will see everything from the rare and complex to common presentations.  You will have unparalleled exposure to a variety of patients from urban inner city to rural statewide referrals.  While residents enjoy valuable exposure to the care at Riley Hospital for Children, training is balanced with general and community pediatrics in the IU Health network that includes  rotations at two other hospitals on the school’s Indianapolis campus, Eskenazi and Methodist.  We also have statewide opportunities to work with special suburban and rural partnerships for those who are interested.  Finally we have a community pediatrics training grant that teaches advocacy to residents to empower you as a pediatrician who can serve the community and public health needs of children.  Very few programs have this variety of patient exposures and our graduates finish with core primary care skills, as well as experience in more specialized care for enhanced skills.

Robust Research Opportunities

IU Pediatrics is consistently ranked in the top ten institutions nationally for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding. Pediatric research at IU School of Medicine encompasses every clinical subspecialty as well as basic science, health services, health policy, informatics and comparative effectiveness research.
Residents are involved in a wide variety of projects— clinical case series, QI projects, simulation/teaching, community-based, global initiatives, and basic science. Our research makes a direct impact on patients and translates to cutting edge care improvements. We offer robust professional development programs that include special training for physician scholars interested in preparing for a career as pediatric physician scientists.. We also welcome those who want to explore new methods of research, and will help develop skills even if you have not done research in the past.

Global Health Experience

Pediatric residents can earn a certificate of competency in global health through the IU School of Medicine Residency Track in Global Health program by completing requirements that include a one- or two-month rotation in a developing country. The IU-Kenya program at Moi University is regarded as an exemplarary partnership that has over 25 years of clinical work, research and educational exchanges. Other international programs open to IU School of Medicine residents include an annual China trip, and other sites based on interests. In addition to international travel, residents may work within the Indianapolis community in international adoption, travel medicine and other clinics designed for specific populations.

Educational Focus

We have rich clinical experiences, which are supplemented by rich daily educational offerings at the bedside, with teams, and daily residency conferences.  Subject matter varies and includes professional development topics, board review, clinical advancements, journal review and other topics. Additional learning experiences include hands-on sessions, simulations and annual off campus retreats.  We will equip you to be clinicians, teachers and leaders in a variety of settings—our graduates are highly sought after for primary care, hospitalist and fellowship positions.

Residency Programs in Pediatrics

Pediatrics

A three-year program, the Pediatrics Residency prepares residents for careers in community pediatrics, pediatrics subspecialty training, academic medicine and research. The size and scope of the program offer participants opportunities that can only be found at a large academic medical center such as IU School of Medicine.

Emergency Medicine / Pediatrics

One of only three programs like it in the United States, the Emergency Medicine/Pediatrics Residency at IU School of Medicine is a five-year training program that prepares residents for board certification in both specialties. Graduates of this program have experience in child protection and are well-versed in pediatric critical care and resuscitation.

Internal Medicine / Pediatrics

The Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Program is a four-year program for physicians who are interested in providing wellness and medically complex care for both adults and children. Residents in this program are exposed to an extensive range of adult and childhood illnesses, with training spanning from neonatology to geriatrics. Designed to meet the combined guidelines established by the American boards of internal medicine and pediatrics, the program includes experience in ambulatory, inpatient, emergency and intensive care in public, private and managed care settings.

Triple Board (Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child Psychiatry)

The Triple Board Residency program is for physicians who have an interest in how medical, psychological and environmental factors intersect in the life of a child. Residents in this program complete five years of integrated training in pediatrics, psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry and are eligible for board certification in all three disciplines.

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

The Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency is a six-year combined program that prepares graduates to care for children with cognitive developmental disabilities, metabolic and genetic conditions, central nervous system conditions, and nerve and muscle disorders. Graduates of the residency are eligible for board certification in pediatrics, neurodevelopmental disabilities and neurology with special qualification in child neurology. The program at IU School of Medicine is a partnership between the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Neurology and is one of only eight such programs in the country.

2017-18 Chief Residents

IU School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Chief Residents complete an extra year to focus on resident education and program development.

Sadie Puffer, MD

Sadie grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, spent as much of her summers as possible in Northern Michigan and completed her undergraduate and medical school training at the Ohio State University before finding her way to Indianapolis. She loves gardening, listening to new music, tackling home improvement projects with her husband, and fooling herself into running. She is excited to continue her career in outpatient general pediatrics following her chief residency.

Elyse Shaw, MD

Elyse grew up in Springfield, Illinois, and moved to St. Louis for undergrad at Washington University and completed medical school at Saint Louis University. In her spare time, Elyse enjoys running, watching baseball (Go Cardinals!) and traveling to Disney World with her husband Andrew. After chief year, Elyse plans to complete fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology.

Abby Stephenson, MD

Abby grew up in Northeast Indiana. She completed undergraduate training in Pharmacy at Butler University and medical school at Indiana University. She enjoys cooking, crafting, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. She lives in Carmel.  Following chief residency, Abby plans to practice in outpatient pediatrics.

Resident Social Programming

The quality of education for pediatrics residents is of the most importance to IU School of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics. Yet the department also believes in work-life balance and knows that one of the most important aspects of a strong residency program is the camaraderie that exists between the residents. Through experiences in the hospital and outside, residents forge strong friendships and an inclusive sense of community. At-home cookouts, outings to baseball games, holiday parties, and ski trips are a few examples of ways in which pediatrics residents bond over non-medical interests.