2023 Department of Pediatrics Academic Annual Report

The program uses a holistic review process for all applicants from US medical schools in an effort to ensure we are recruiting trainees who are reflective of the patient populations we serve. Standardized questions and a standardized scoring system are used for all applicants. The scoring system has been designed to ensure we are recognizing and valuing the applicant’s experiences, attributes and academic metrics. A variety of efforts have been put into place to increase recruitment of URiM applicants. The department has established a partnership with Meharry Medical College, a historically Black medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. Through this partnership, third-year medical students complete a two-week inpatient pediatric rotation with us, and during that time, the department’s Inclusion, Diversity Equity, Advocacy and Accessibility (IDEAA) Council hosts a networking lunch for the students with faculty, residents and fellows. The department has also established Visiting Student Rotation Scholarship that provides funding for visiting fourth-year medical students to participate in four-week clinical rotations in the Department of Pediatrics with a goal to improve awareness of and accessibility to training opportunities in Pediatrics at UAB amongst students of diverse cultural, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The program also engages with students at conferences of organizations serving historically underrepresented students, such as the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) as well as recruitment events at historically Black medical schools (Howard University, Morehouse College and Meharry Medical College). The residency program actively participates in the Dean’s Diversity Day and Second Look event, which offers a second visit to competitive residency candidates. The visit, which was virtual for 2023, allows candidates to learn more about the school’s and department’s mission related to diversity and interact with faculty and trainees from diverse backgrounds. The Department of Pediatrics has a council called the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Accessibility (IDEAA) Council, and program leadership are involved in leadership of the resident, fellow and faculty sections of the council. Each section meets monthly. The council focuses on increasing inclusion, trainee and faculty education, and celebrating diversity. These groups are essential during recruitment for meeting with and interviewing applicants. The resident section has developed a journal club as well. Additionally, trainees find mentoring relationships among the IDEAA faculty members. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in the Health Equity Scholars Program, a three-year longitudinal program that educates residents and fellows on how to lead advances in child health equity and develop skills in communication, scholarship and advocacy. Trainees participate in monthly didactic sessions and participate in immersive experiences around the state throughout residency training. All residents participate in ongoing health equity-related educational experiences, quarterly health equity noon conferences, monthly health equity morning reports and community experiences, such as neighborhood assessments and protected time to go as a group to the Historic Bethel Baptist Church and other important Birmingham landmarks.

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Dr. Michele H. Nichols Program Director Professor of Pediatrics Division of Pediatrics Emergency Medicine

Dr. Nancy Tofil Senior Associate Program Director Professor of Pediatrics Division of Pediatrics Critical Care

Dr. Candice Dye Associate Program Director Associate Professor of Pediatrics Division of Academic General Pediatrics

Dr. Lauren Nassetta Associate Program Director Associate Professor of Pediatrics Division of Pediatrics Hospital Medicine

Dr. Will Sasser Associate Program Director

Dr. Chrystal Rutledge Assistant Program Director

Associate Professor of Pediatrics Division of Pediatrics Critical Care

Associate Professor of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Critical Care

2023 Academic Annual Report

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