Training Tracks
Med-Peds residents at the University of Rochester have the option of additional training during residency in: research, global health, and community advocacy. By choosing one of these special tracks, residents receive individualized training and mentorship in these areas by dedicated faculty.
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.
Craig Benson (R3)
Project: Identification of Functional Regulatory Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (rSNPs) in the Human CArGome
Mentor: Dr. J. Miano
Leigh Anne Daniels (R4)
Project: Exhaled Phospholipids as a Predictor of Albuterol Response in Newborns with BPD
Mentor: Dr. S. Georas
Keren Landman (R4)
Project: 1) Gender Differences in the Risk of HIV Infection among Persons Reporting Abstinence, Monogamy, and Multiple Sexual Partners in Northern Tanzania
2) Behavior Risk Factors and Retesting for HIV Infection in Northern Tanzania
Mentor: Dr. J. Bartlett
Nina Mani (R4)
Project: Social Determinants of Chronic Disease Perception
Mentor: Dr. R. Fortuna, Dr. B. Robbins
Emily Ruckdeschel (R4)
Project: Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity in Congenital Heart Disease
Mentor: Dr. R. Fortuna
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.
Keren Landman (R4)
Project: Behavior change in interval between HIV tests in Tanzania
Mentor: Dr. J. Bartlett
Joy Walton (R3)
Project: Nutrition among orphans in developing countries
Mentor: Samaritan's Purse
Ariadne Lie (R4)
Project: Health Care Access for Refugee Youth in Rochester, New York
Mentor: Dr. L. Bennett
Nina Mani (R4)
Project: Pediatric HIV in Lesotho
Mentor: Dr. N. Chin
Sachin Shah (R4)
Project: Comparing diagnostic strategies and initial management of pediatric HIV in the U.S. and developing countries
Mentor: Dr. D. Adler
Community Advocacy Track (CARE)
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-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:
http://www.plccare.org/CARE_Track.html
The following Peds and Med-Peds residents are in the Care Track:
| Eric Biondi (Peds R2) |
Rebecca Pratt (Peds R2) |
| Beth Cherella (Med-Peds R2) |
LeKeyah Quinn (Peds R3) |
| Geoffrey Collins (Peds R2) |
Manisha Relan (Peds R2) |
| Sarah Collins-McGowan (Peds R3) |
Melissa Schafer (Med-Peds R3) |
| Susan Gasparino (Peds R3) |
Steven Schulz (Peds R3) |
| Anne Huber (Med-Peds R2) |
Andrew Sherman (Peds R2) |
| Jara Johnson (Peds R3) |
Hilary Southerland (Med-Peds R2) |
| Charity Karpac (Med-Peds R3) |
Elizabeth Diekroger (Peds R2) |
| Abby Kroening (Peds R2) |
Marianne Taylor (Med-Peds R2) |
