University of Virginia Health System

The goal of the Department of Pediatrics is to provide the best education possible to residents whether they choose to enter the practice of general pediatrics or seek additional training in one of the pediatric subspecialties. Led by Dr. Linda Waggoner-Fountain, the Residency Program Director, and Dr. Mark Mendelsohn, the Associate Program Director, the Pediatric faculty provide guidance and instruction in general pediatrics, sub-specialty pediatrics, and clinical and basic research. Every resident experiences valuable training in virtually all facets of medical care for children.  This well-rounded approach to residency training provides the aspiring pediatrician with a balanced foundation upon which to make decisions concerning his or her future career.

We also offer a five year combined Pediatrics/Child Neurology residency program.  Residents who participate in this program spend the first two years of their training in our Pediatric Residency Program.  They then spend one year learning about adult neurology, and spend the final two years of the program in Child Neurology.  For more information, follow this link to our Residency Program in Child Neurology.  

A major strength of our Pediatric Residency Program is our philosophy that the house officer is directly responsible for providing children and families with compassionate and effective patient care while having appropriate and on-site supervision at all times.  Approximately half of the graduates of this program enter the practice of general pediatrics, and, therefore the department has developed an excellent division of general pediatricians.  Sub-specialists serve as consultants to the general pediatricians. This system provides maximum teaching of both general and sub-specialty pediatrics to our residents, as even when children are seen and cared for by sub-specialists, the house officer maintains primary responsibility for the care of that child.  The training program is further strengthened by the strong and collaborative relationships between the Department of Pediatrics with other medical and surgical sub-specialties. Joint appointments are held by pediatric surgeons, pediatric neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric orthopedists, pediatric urologists, pediatric ophthalmologists, pediatric thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, pediatric plastic surgeons, pediatric otolaryngologists, and pediatric anesthesiologists.  Pediatric residents assist in the care of patients seen by these faculty members.
 
The program at The University of Virginia is organized with 2 PL-4 residents as Chief Residents who join PL-3 residents in teaching and supervising PL-1 residents.   PL-2 residents spend a significant portion of their time in sub-specialty electives. This promotes teaching and supervision of PL-1 residents by the most mature residents who have already had exposure to sub-specialties and additional time in pediatric training.