Pediatrics

YOU ARE EXPLORING

Pediatric Residency Program

IU School of Medicine’s Pediatric Residency offers exemplary 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 four combined pediatrics programs.

The department’s teaching faculty consistently rank in the top one percent of their specialties nationwide, and the program’s primary clinical site, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, is considered one of the premiere children’s hospitals in the United States, with more than 300,000 patient visits per year.

Clinical Experience with Expert Guidance

Pediatric residency training includes skills related to establishing personal relationships and meaningful mentorships. Faculty are deeply committed to helping residents grow into outstanding pediatricians with sophisticated clinical expertise, excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate. The Department of Pediatrics at IU School of Medicine has 18 subspecialty clinical divisions committed to providing the best in medical training, and pediatric residents can expect to see patients ranging from health and wellness visits to the most medically complex cases.

While residents enjoy valuable exposure to the breadth and depth of pediatric care at Riley Hospital for Children, their training is balanced with general and community pediatrics in the IU Health network that includes select rotations at two other hospitals on the school’s Indianapolis campus, Eskenazi and Methodist, and a diverse patient population in urban, suburban and rural settings.

Additionally, IU School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics is one of only 10 programs in the United States to have been awarded a grant by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Dyson Foundation to offer a specialized training program focused on community pediatrics. The Community Pediatrics Training Initiative focuses on community involvement and patient advocacy. The initiative works with community organizations that aid families of children with special health care needs, individuals with a history of domestic violence, and recent immigrants.

Robust Research Opportunities

Pediatrics faculty are enthusiastic about mentoring the next generation of physician scientists, and valuable opportunities exist for residents to be involved in pediatric research studies at IU School of Medicine. Though there is no formal research requirement for pediatric residents, senior residents prepare and present a Senior Project on a topic of their choice. Electives, rotations and special lectures can be springboards for pursuing interests in basic science, clinical studies, and health services and policy research. The annual resident-fellow Research Day recognizes the excellent work of trainees who have engaged in research with a pediatrics faculty mentor.

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. Other international programs open to IU School of Medicine residents include the IU-Hidalgo Partnership in Calnali, Mexico and the IU-Honduras Partnership in rural Taulabe, Honduras. 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 Conferences

Teaching conferences and retreats are an important complement to the clinical residency experience. Conferences employ case-based, group discussion and lecture formats and are typically scheduled twice daily: morning and noon. 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.

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.

Pediatric Residency Program Leaders

Jerry L. Rushton, MD, MPH

Jerry L. Rushton, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Timothy B. Brady, MD

Timothy B. Brady, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
D. W. Clapp, MD

D. W. Clapp, MD

Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Mary R. Ciccarelli, MD

Mary R. Ciccarelli, MD

Professor of Clinical Medicine and Pediatrics
Lori Price, MD

Lori Price, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Zeina M. Nabhan, MD, MS

Zeina M. Nabhan, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Kimberly S. Schneider, MD

Kimberly S. Schneider, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

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.