Research at Children's

Research Experience

If you have significant research experience and a definite commitment to an academic pediatric career, the MD / PhD Postgraduate Training Program at Cincinnati Children's has two training options that can cut down on the amount of time it takes to complete your residency and fellowship training by up to one year. These programs include protected research time during the clinical portion of your residency, allowing you to spend up to 80% of your time in purely research-related pursuits.

Special Alternative Pathway ("Fast Track")

The Special Alternative Pathway, established by the American Board of Pediatrics, is a flexible training program that combines residency and fellowship training. Initially, you will complete two years of residency. After approval of the residency program and the American Board of Pediatrics, you will complete fellowship training in basic and clinical science during the third through fifth years. Clinical subspecialty training, which is designed to meet subspecialty board requirements, occurs in the third year. Training in clinical research may be incorporated into the curriculum developed by you and your mentor.

Guaranteed research stipends are provided during training. Continued academic support through the Procter Scholar Program will be available post-fellowship to suitable candidates to ensure that trainees establish themselves as independent investigators during the early period of faculty development.

You will be chosen based on previous accomplishments, training, postgraduate degrees and research experience, as well as performance during clinical clerkships and basic science courses. If you are interested in these programs, discuss this option during the application process.

The Residency Research Track

This three-year program is designed to produce excellent clinicians.

This track is targeted toward the MD / PhD candidate, as well as the physician with extensive research experience and a strong commitment to a career in academic pediatrics, and it will allow you the opportunity to participate in significant research activity. The goal is to provide future academic pediatricians with a highly integrated, efficient and flexible training program to facilitate the development of an independent academic career.

The program allows for up to 11 months to be spent in specific research activities, which can be credited to fellowship programs, and 22 months in clinical activities. Continuity clinic continues weekly throughout the three years. During research months, a minimum of 80 percent of your time is spent in research activities. Numerous outstanding laboratories throughout the medical center are available to you.

Candidates will be chosen during the first year of the residency program and must be approved by the program and the American Board of Pediatrics. You must continue to develop your clinical skills at an appropriate rate. A local committee will monitor your clinical and research progress. A research mentor will be chosen and be responsible for facilitating the research experience, which may be basic science, clinical or health policy oriented.

Personalized Training

These programs are flexible and will be tailored to maximize your clinical experience at Cincinnati Children's and your research opportunities in the Research Foundation. Opportunities for research training and development will be matched with your individual needs, depending on previous experiences and established goals.