Course Descriptions by Department- Pediatrics
*** Note: A PDF of contacts and other 4th-Year information is available at the Department of Pediatrics website, http://www.usuhs.mil/pediatrics/education/fourthyearclerkship.htm ***
The Department of Pediatrics welcomes all interested fourth-year students to choose elective or subinternship experiences. The prerequisite for these experiences is the successful completion of all third-year core clerkships.
Broad educational goals for pediatric clinical electives and subinternships are listed below. Specific objectives for particular electives and subinternships are listed individually. Students requesting electives not listed in the catalog must receive written permission from the Department of Pediatrics, Education Section. Goals and objectives must be clearly delineated for each new experience and a point of contact/evaluator must be identified at the location of the rotation. Evaluations must be completed for each elective or subinternship in order to receive credit. Please contact the Department of Pediatrics, Education Section if you have questions regarding any of these experiences.
General Clinical Elective and Subinternship Goals:
- 1. Perform pediatric histories and physical examinations with minimal supervision.
- 2. Interpret historical, physical, and laboratory findings in preparation for developing an assessment.
- 3. Present diagnostic and/or therapeutic plans to your preceptor or inpatient team after synthesizing the available information.
- 4. Demonstrate communication skills necessary to convey your assessments and plans to patients, parents, and colleagues.
- 5. Demonstrate an ever-expanding knowledge of core pediatric signs, symptoms, and diagnoses.
- 6. Demonstrate self-directed learning skills by using the literature (all forms of media) to answer patient-specific clinical questions.
Subinternships
The subinternship experience is designed to prepare you for internship by providing an opportunity to practice skills that all interns should possess. Such preparation involves a continuum of responsibility for a patient's care, from hospitalization to follow-up. Subinternships serve to instill a sense of personal responsibility to: (ACGME General Competencies in Pediatrics)
- Provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective.
- Possess medical knowledge and apply this knowledge to patient care.
- Use practice-based learning and improvement through evaluation of patient care and appraisal of scientific evidence to enhance patient care.
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their families, and other health professionals.
- Demonstrate professionalism through a commitment to carrying out your professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
- Demonstrate systems-based practice through awareness of the military and civilian healthcare system and know how to effectively call on system resources to provide optimal care.
Therefore, a subinternship experience will include the following:
- Four weeks on an inpatient service (Ward, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU))
- Supervised by a USUHS-endorsed on-site preceptor.
- Subinterns integrated into the medical team to provide service to patients rather than be passive participants.
- Night call is mandatory and shall be no less than every fifth night.
Feedback and Evaluations:
We encourage you to discuss your experiences with and elicit feedback from your preceptor throughout your elective or subinternship. Please ensure that your preceptor has the proper form to complete your final evaluation. You are strongly encouraged to sit down with your preceptor to review your evaluation at the end of the rotation.
You will find program points of contact for pediatric fourth year rotations (in addition to the GME offices listed at the front of this catalog) on the following pages. Good luck and welcome!!!!
Points of Contact
Keesler Air Force Medical Center
currently inactive as training site
Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC)
LTC Sean Carroll
Sean.Carroll@us.army.mil
Ph: 808-433-6210
Fax: 808-433-2699
Ms. Gladys Nakamura, GME office
Gladys.Nakamura@amedd.army.mil
Ph: 808-433-6992
Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC)
LTC Franklin Wood
Franklin.Wood@amedd.army.mil
Ph: 253-968-0015
Fax: 253-968-0384
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP)
LT Melissa Buryk
Melissa.Buryk@med.navy.mil
Ph: 757-953-2958
Fax:757-953-0868
Denise Martin, GME Office
Denise.Martin@med.navy.mil
Ph: 757-953-2958
Wright-Patterson Air Force Medical Center
Capt. Mark Stahl
Mark.Stahl@wpafb.af.mil
Ph: 937-522-4792
Fax: 937-656-1301
National Capital Area (NCA)
National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)
Ms. Paulette Sener, GME office
coordinator@nccpeds.com
psener@usuhs.mi
301-319-5437
Fax: 301-295-5657
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
COL (ret) Ginny Randall
vrandall@usuhs.mil
Ph: 301-295-9733
Fax: 301-295-6441
San Antonio Military Pediatric Center (SAMPC)
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC)
Maj Robert Elwood
Robert.Elwood@lackland.af.mil
Ph: 210-292-6639
Fax: 210-292-5238
Mr. Jaime Acevedo, GME office
Jaime.Acevedo@lackland.af.mil
Ph: 210-292-7441
Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD)
LT Courtney DeJesso
Courtney.DeJesso@med.navy.mil
Ph: 619-532-7296
Ms. Alexandra Littleton, GME office
Alexandra.Littleton@med.navy.mil
Ph: 619-532-9405
PDR4300, Adolescent Medicine
PDR4310, Ambulatory Pediatrics
PDR4330, Developmental Pediatrics
PDR4370, Lab Research - Neonatal Medicine
PDR4380, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
PDR4420, Pediatric Allergy/Immunology
PDR4430, Pediatric Cardiology
PDR4450, Pediatric Endocrinology
PDR4460, Pediatric Gastroenterology
PDR4470, Pediatric Genetics
PDR4480, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
PDR4490, Pediatric Infectious Disease
PDR4510, Pediatric Nephrology
PDR4520, Pediatric Neurology
PDR4560, Pediatric Rheumatology
PDR4620, Research - Pediatrics
PDR4640, Pediatric Surgery
PDR4670, Pediatric Ward
PDR4340, Pediatrics S.I.
PDR4440, Pediatric Endocrinology S.I.
Course #: PDR4300, Adolescent Medicine
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the relationship of growth/development to disease in adolescents and how to approach adolescents with special attention to sub-areas of adolescent gynecology, sports medicine and counseling.
Sites: KAFB, WPAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4310, Ambulatory Pediatrics
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Develop techniques and skills in gathering, interpreting and reporting on patients seen in the outpatient setting. Demonstrate knowledge of illnesses seen in acute and well child care.
Sites: KAFB, WPAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4330, Development Pediatrics
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate skill in diagnosis and management of developmental disabilities, as well as knowledge of normal developmental processes.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4370, Lab Research - Neonatal Medicine
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Participate in basic research in neonatal cardiovascular physiology. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the experimental design process, data collection, storage and analysis, and organization into publishable forms.
Sites: USUHS
Course #: PDR4380, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Recognize and stabilize sick neonates in the NICU and intermediate care nurseries. Demonstrate understanding of basic pathophysiology and clinical concepts relating to neonatal medicine. Participate in daily care of neonates to include gathering appropriate data, presenting on rounds, writing problem oriented daily progress notes and interacting with families, housestaff team and ancillary staff.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4420, Pediatric Allergy/Immunology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of basic pathophysiology and clinical concepts relating to pediatric allergy and immunology.
Sites: KAFB
Course #: PDR4430, Pediatric Cardiology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of different forms of congenital heart defects. Demonstrate the ability to do a complete cardiac examination, and interpret EKGs and chest X-rays. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization data.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4450, Pediatric Endocrinology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of basic pediatric endocrine disorders to include growth, sexual differentiation, thyroid disease, and diabetes.
Sites: SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCS
Course #: PDR4460, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of basic pediatric gastrointestinal disorders to include GI, liver and nutritional problems in children. Participate in procedures including endoscopy, manometry and biopsies.
Sites: SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA
Course #: PDR4470, Pediatric Genetics
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of clinical and laboratory genetics. Participate in evaluations and counseling sessions.
Sites: KAFB, NC
Course #: PDR4480, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of common heme/onc problems of childhood. Participate in logical work-ups of problems, arriving at a diagnosis and treatment plan, and counseling parents.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4490, Pediatric Infectious Disease
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of common pediatric infectious disease problems and knowledge of specific lab diagnostic tests in managing those problems.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, TAMC, NCA, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4510, Pediatric Nephrology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of the basic approach to diagnosis and management of kidney disease in children.
Sites: SAMPC, NCA
Course #: PDR4520, Pediatric Neurology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of common degenerative, metabolic and neuromuscular diseases of childhood. Demonstrate taking a neurologic history and physical on infants or children. Participate in the care of neurologically impaired children.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4560, Pediatric Rheumatology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of the diagnosis and management of rheumatologic and related musculoskeletal disorders.
Sites: MAMC, TAMC, NMCSD
Course #: PDR4620, Research Pediatric
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of the approach to ongoing basic or educational research. Carry out a research project.
Sites: USUHS
Course #: PDR4640, Pediatric Surgery
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of common pediatric surgical conditions. Participate in direct care of children undergoing surgical correction or repairs.
Sites: SAMPC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP
Course #: PDR4670, Pediatric Ward
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Participate in assessment and longitudinal management of pediatric patients. Function as a member of the housestaff team. Demonstrate skills in differential diagnosis, current pediatric therapy and minor procedures.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR????, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Participate in assessment and longitudinal management of complex pediatric patients in an intensive care setting. Function as a member of the housestaff team. Demonstrate skills in differential diagnosis, current pediatric therapy and minor procedures.
Sites: SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Course #: PDR????, Pediatric Radiology
Course Type: C
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): P
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of common pediatric radiology procedures and a systematic approach to interpreting radiology studies.
Sites: SAMPC, NCA
Course #: PDR4340, Pediatrics S.I.
Course Type: S
Department: PDR
Duration: 4 weeks (Continuous on Ward or NICU or PICU)
(Letter/Pass/Fail): L
Objectives: Participate in assessment and longitudinal management of pediatric patients. Function as a member of the housestaff team. Demonstrate skills in differential diagnosis, current pediatric therapy and minor procedures. Night call will be approximately every fifth night.
Comments: Eight weeks inpatient experience, preferably four each ward/Pediatric ICU and Neonatal ICU time.
Sites: Ward: KAFB, MAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD, SAMPC, TAMC, NICU: KAFB, MAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD, SAMPC, TAMC PICU: MAMC, NMCP, NMCSD, SAMPC, TAMC
Course #: PDR4440, Pediatric Endocrinology S.I.
Course Type: S
Department: PDR
Duration: 4
(Letter/Pass/Fail): L
Objectives: Demonstrate understanding of different forms of congenital heart defects. Demonstrate the ability to do a complete cardiac examination, and interpret EKGs and chest X-rays. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization data.
Sites: KAFB, SAMPC, MAMC, TAMC, NCA, NMCP, NMCSD
Contact Information
Office of the Registrar
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Room A1041
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
FAX: 301.295.3545
Resources
- Registrar Main
- Online Transcript Requests
- Other Request Forms
- Fourth-Year Clerkship Catalogue
- Post Graduation Tips

