Pediatrics

Individualized Tracks

In addition to the comprehensive training we offer in general pediatrics, we offer an individualized curriculum for each resident, designed to meet the learning needs and career plans which our residents identify through mentorship provided by our faculty. The opportunities for individualized learning have been organized into four pathways, but residents and their mentors may choose components from any pathway to develop an individualized plan which best suits the resident's needs, goals, and passions. The four pathways include:

  1. Primary Care and Public Health
  2. Pediatrics Subspecialties or Hospital-Based Fields
  3. Global Health and Underserved Populations
  4. Physician-Scientists

Combined Programs:

  • Medicine-Pediatrics Combined Program
  • Pediatrics-Genetics Combined Program (Currently on hold)
  • Child Neurology

Residents interested in pursuing research during their residency will be provided with support to find a mentor and project. Dr. Kara Calkins and Dr. Mark Hanudel are appointed resident research liasons and can assist residents in finding a research mentor and project. 

Primary Care/Public Health Track

This pathway is designed for individuals interested in careers in primary care pediatrics, as well as those with a passion for serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Training modules within this track include rotations focusing upon the following:

  • Underserved and vulnerable populations
  • Life course health development/family health/parenting
  • Nutrition/physical activity/obesity, breastfeeding, environmental health, and cancer prevention
  • Mental Health
  • Health Care Systems (including Medical Home)
  • Legislative advocacy

Subspecialty Fellowship and Hospital-based Career Track

This pathway is designed for individuals interested in hospital-based general pediatric careers as well as those pursuing Fellowship Training. In addition to many of the modules available in the primary care pathway, residents in this track will be offered mentoring opportunities with respect to career options, development of fellowship applications and/or job applications, as well as the following the following in-depth training opportunities:

  • Quality Improvement/Patient Safety
  • Resident as educator elective
  • Grant writing/research design seminars
  • Procedure elective
  • Research Electives

Global Health and Underserved Populations

In addition to the opportunities afforded to all trainees to participate in an international medicine experience, for those residents who have an interest in pursuing a career which involves caring for patients in resource-poor settings (whether international or domestic), there are rich opportunities for mentoring and learning both within the Department of Pediatrics at UCLA as well as through the UCLA Center for Global Health Education. Specific training opportunities include:

  • Elective training modules focusing on underserved and vulnerable populations
  • Ambulatory training providing outreach to children in impoverished neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
  • Longitudinal clinical training opportunities in Free and Community Clinics in Los Angeles with whom UCLA has partnerships
  • Short term training programs at UCLA-partner sites in Peru, Mozambique, Ghana, India, the Indian Health Service, and Thailand
  • Dermatology, ID, and GI/Nutrition electives with learning modules on tropical medicine and international health

Global Health elective experience focusing on such topics as:

  • HIV care and treatment in the developing world
  • The role of pediatric surgery in global health
  • Strengthening health care systems in the developing world
  • Pediatric opportunities in a global health setting
  • Longitudinal mentorship for Global Health Research topics, with research electives

Physician Scientist Program 

Up to two incoming pediatric interns will be selected each year for this program, based upon their interest in applying to a Pediatric subspecialty fellowship program and commitment to a career in basic science/translational research. Potential candidates will be identified through self-nomination during their residency interviews or pre-selected by the Residency Program Directors. This program provides an opportunity to participate in a training pathway that will prepare qualified candidates for an academic career in Pediatrics. The program currently entertains two tracks: a Categorical track that consists of up to 6 months of dedicated elective time for research, and the American Board of Pediatrics’ Accelerated Research Pathway (a.k.a. “fast-tracking”). Specific training opportunities include:

  • Time in the PGY1 year to identify research mentors and research opportunities
  • Faculty mentorship in the fellowship application process, as well as dedicated research elective time for those pursuing the Categorical track
  • Consideration for the Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP), which is 2 years in general pediatrics and 4 years in Pediatric Subspecialty Fellowship.
  • Mentorship and support for application to the Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP): https://amspdc-psdp.org/ 
  • Attendance at annual national conferences in research area of interest
  • Involvement in the STAR and pro-STAR community starting in residency: https://medschool.ucla.edu/star 

Successful progress within the Pediatrics Residency Program is a prerequisite for the trainee's entry into any of the clinical fellowships offered within the Department of Pediatrics. Successful candidates will be guaranteed funding during their fellowship training on one of the NIH training grants within the Department of Pediatrics, although many of our trainees are successful in securing external funding. For those with medical school debt, they will be eligible for the Janet and Ray Scherr Fellowship Loan Repayment Endowment Program during their fellowship training. After fellowship, successful participants will be appointed as Junior Faculty at UCLA for 1-2 years with funding from a "Scholars Program" through the Department of Pediatrics. Fellows from this program will receive mentorship while writing a career development award, e.g. K08, to support their academic appointment in the Department of Pediatrics.

Combined Medicine and Pediatrics Track

Our combined Medicine-Pediatrics program matches 4 interns per year, and integrates seamlessly into the categorical program. During this 4-year training program, residents spend a total of 2-years on pediatrics rotations and 2-years on internal medicine rotations.

Please visit the Med/Peds Program website for additional information.