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Advocacy and Community Leadership

IU School of Medicine believes that an important role for pediatricians is to improve the health of their patients by connecting patients and families to community resources and services. In 2002, the Pediatric Residency Program at IU School of Medicine was in the inaugural group of only 10 programs to be awarded the Anne E. Dyson Community Training Initiative grant to incorporate community-based medicine and advocacy training into its residency program curriculum in a dedicated block rotation during intern and PGY2 years, with advanced electives and projects available for those interested.

This initiative helps residents become leaders who address child health issues with a community perspective and advocate for positive, lasting change. As trusted voices in the public arena, pediatricians are in a unique position to do this. Based on input from the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), the program strives to equip all residency graduates with the skills necessary to engage in evidence-based community health activities and effective collaborations with community-based organizations to achieve optimal well-being for children.

Empowering Community Leaders

Community Pediatrics training at IU School of Medicine includes a core curriculum, community outreach, and service learning experiences that support resident competency development in these general domains: Advocacy, Culturally Effective Care, Medical Home, Collaboration, Health Literacy, Public Health, Community Resources, Inquiry and Application, Special Populations.

During the rotations, residents regularly partner with multidisciplinary faculty, family representatives, and leaders of community based organizations (CBOs) to learn the skills needed to provide a Medical Home for families and how to advocate for patients, their families and their communities. Residents are introduced to the concepts of child rights, social justice, social determinants of health, health equity via lectures, and advocacy via readings, community partner site visits, service learning activities, reflective writing, and more.

Blogs Hub

See what residents have to say about their Community Advocacy rotation in General and Community Pediatrics.

Residents’ Blogs