Training for Good
Working with young patients takes a special touch, as demonstrated here by Dr. Javier Gonzalez de Rey to resident Dr. Andrew Beck. Dr. Mia Mallory, residency program associate director, assists.
Drs. Gonzalez del Rey and Mallory talk with resident Dr. Samuel Hanke.
What residents learn at Cincinnati Children’s goes way beyond skill.
The Cincinnati Children’s Pediatric Residency Training Program is special for many reasons, says director Javier Gonzalez del Rey, MD. “The residents are outstanding and hard working, and they are receiving training at one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country.”
Over the course of their residency training, the doctors follow an ambitious schedule. They care for patients, attend intensive training sessions and conferences, conduct research and generally refine and perfect the skills they will need for careers in pediatric primary care, academics or research.
But training is only part of the resident experience.
“Our residents have many commitments and service responsibilities during their three or more years here, but they find time to volunteer in the community, work on advocacy projects and travel abroad for medical missions,” Gonzalez del Rey says. “Our residents embody the family centered care model that Cincinnati Children’s thrives on.”
Rotation with a Conscience
All pediatric residents are required to complete an advocacy rotation during their intern year that includes experiences in public health, legislation, injury and poisoning prevention, volunteering in inner city schools and mentoring at-risk youth.
The doctors are also able to select elective experiences such as poverty and justice, international health, and child abuse and neglect. During those rotations they are able to improve their knowledge and skills in caring for underserved populations here and abroad.
“Much of what they do in their advocacy rotation and other elective experiences encourages them to continue their involvement and includes Big Brother and Big Sister programs, International Health organizations and faith-based charities,” says Mia Mallory, MD, associate director of the pediatric residency training program.
Good Habits for Life
Community involvement that starts in the residency training years extends to residents’ career choices as well.
“After graduation from residency, the community service habit extends into some of their career choices, which have included the National Health Service Corps, epidemic intelligence investigative fellowships and long-term international health commitments,” Mallory says.
Whatever their ultimate career path, says Gonzalez del Rey, doctors trained in Cincinnati Children’s residency program are better for their community service experiences—and so is the community.
“Advocacy is important and significant not only to the community, but to the residents’ growth as physicians,” Gonzalez del Rey says. “Our residents are always thinking about ways to put kids first and asking, ‘How do I make sure this child has access to care?’”
