Specialized Training

Med-Peds residents at the University of Rochester have the option of additional training during residency in community advocacy, global health, and research. By choosing one of these special tracks, residents receive individualized training and mentorship in these areas by dedicated faculty. Upon satisfactory completion of one of the tracks, Med-Peds graduating residents receive "Distinction" in their chosen area.

Research Track

Director: Dr. Robert Fortuna

The University of Rochester Combined Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program offers a research track for residents to pursue mentored scholarly work during their second, third, and fourth years of training. The primary goal of the research track is to provide structured mentorship to complete a research project and develop the skills necessary for future academic and/or subspecialty careers. Projects are designed to align with individual career or fellowship goals. Mentorship is provided to assist with project design, methodology, and implementation. Residents in the track will meet on a regular basis to discuss their ongoing projects with their peers and mentors. The research experience culminates with a peer and faculty reviewed project that is presented at a research seminar. With successful completion of this track, residents receive “Distinction in Research” upon graduation.

 

Jennifer DeMichele (R4)
Project: The Clinical Presentation of Celiac Disease in the Screening Era:  A Single Center Experience

Clinton Sheffield (R4)
Project: Attitudes toward International Healthcare Workers in Peru

Meghan Train (R3)
Project: The Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Prescribing of Opioids in the Emergency Department

Christine Osborne (R3)
Project: Transition of Care in Sickle Cell and Asthma

John Kennedy (R3)
Project: Investigation of Megakaryocytes and the Megakaryocyte Niche in the Bone Marrow in Response to Clastogenic Injury

Erica Miller (R2)

Down Syndrome: Examination of a Unique Model Protective Against Hypertension

Emily Schonberg (R2)

Exploration of Unintentional Pediatric Ingestions of Prescribed Narcotics

Alicia Lieberman (R2)

Investigation of the skin-bone relationship in psoriatic arthritis pathogenesis: Is there an association between epidermal keratinocyte expression of RANK-L, local interactions with osteoclast precursor cells and PsA disease severity?

 

Global Health Track

Director: Dr. David Adler

The Global Health Track (GHT) is designed to provide 8 weeks of time over the course of the residency to pursue involvement in Global Health activities. Maximum flexibility is afforded to allow for the development of individual interests. A project is required to complete participation in the GHT. Although research is encouraged, the project may be training based, community based, and/or result in publication/presentation. Mentorship will be provided to help design projects, identify overseas opportunities, choose among opportunities, and steer GHT activities towards individual career goals. The GHT track will include every-other month presentations/seminars from Global Health professionals as well as quarterly Global Health Seminars. All didactic activities will be scheduled to accommodate GHT resident schedules. GHT residents will be encouraged to participate in Global Health activities that are sponsored by other departments and schools at the University of Rochester. With successful completion of this track, residents receive “Distinction in Global Health” upon graduation.

The following Med-Peds residents are in the Global Health Track:

  • Anita Ray (R4)
  • Daniel King (R3)
  • Raquel Reyes (R3)
  • David Griffith (R3)
  • Jessica Stern (R3)

Community Advocacy Track (CARE)

Director: Dr. Andrew Aligne

In 2000, the PLC Program and the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong were awarded a grant from the national Dyson Foundation which allowed the program to expand resident education to include the Child Advocacy Resident Education Track (CARE). The CARE Track has facilitated additional partnerships between second and third year residents and the community, developing critical skills for residents while also benefiting children in the Rochester area as each resident works on a two or three--year longitudinal project. The CARE Track includes a two-week intensive training block for senior residents and subsequent monthly seminars in public health policy, project development, implementation and evaluation, cultural competency, and leadership, along with mentoring from both community experts and academic faculty. Since the CARE Track was implemented, there have been 67 resident participants whose project areas have reflected a wide variety of child health issues and a growing number of community partners. Information about the CARE Track is available on the following Pediatrics website

The following Med-Peds residents are in the Care Track:

Resident
Glenn Buchberger (R2)
Michael Gavin (R2)