Pediatric Ward Inova Children's Hospital has a 48-bed medical/surgical unit where care is provided in a child-friendly environment supported by our very active Child Life program. The first year resident acts as the primary physician, with supervision and guidance provided by senior level residents in conjunction with board-certified general and subspecialty attending physicians. These experiences provide residents with the diagnostic, patient management and technical skills necessary to be a well-rounded pediatrician.

Residents spend time at several important sites outside of the hospital. These sites provide an environment in which the resident develops expertise in basic health assessment, health education for patients and their families, child advocacy, working with a healthcare team and managing an office practice. Continuity Clinic Each resident spends one afternoon per week in an office setting, where patients are seen specifically by the resident. Residents may elect to do their continuity clinic at Inova Cares Clinic for Children (ICCC) or at a private practice.

Didactics and Academic Half-Day We structure lectures in an Academic Half-Day model. The bulk of teaching is done on Tuesday afternoons, from 1 to 5 p.m. This time is completely protected; residents sign out their teams to the chiefs, faculty or advanced practice providers, who care for the patients for the rest of the afternoon. The didactic program provides a comprehensive curriculum for the future general and subspecialty pediatrician.

Our residents are actively engaged in research Residents at Inova are actively involved in pediatric research. Our residents are primary authors on multiple articles in medical journals and have presented their research at national conferences. Every resident is required to engage in a scholarly activity research project during their three years at Inova, and opportunities are plentiful. Most of our faculty have a strong academic background in teaching and research, and they encourage our residents to pursue projects in the resident’s area of interest.

Current and future programs to promote Inova pediatric resident wellness include the following: Professional Wellness Resident mentor program: In their PL-1 year, residents are paired with a faculty member whose role is to provide professional mentorship across the three years of training “Life After Residency” series: Mixers, outings and workshops designed to prepare residents for career transitions and post-residency life Subspecialty mixer Primary care physician panel Personal statement writing workshop Physician contracting workshop with contract attorney Resident Peer Review: A s

Chief Residents, PL-IV Name: Alex Falsey, MD Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine Home: Noank, CT Career Goals: Considering Hospitalist Pediatrics Hobbies: Baking, biking, hiking and kayaking Why you chose Inova and program pluses: Warm and welcoming residents, diverse patient population, interesting pathologies, attending physicians dedicated to patient care and resident education in a beautiful hospital in a beautiful part of the country — what more could you ask for?

   Name: Julianna Betbeze, MD Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Home: Saint Johns, FL Career Goals: Still not sure, but I'm thinking about a fellowship in NICU, PICU, or emergency and hope to include academic medicine and advocacy in my career. Hobbies: Travel, cooking, reading, watching SEC football, exploring the area around my new home! Why you chose Inova and program pluses: I immediately felt like I meshed well with the other residents during my interview. They all were funny and honest about their experiences.

   Name: Paola E. Braña Rivera, MD Medical School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine Home: Dorado, Puerto Rico Career Goals: The only thing I know is I like critical care and gastroenterology and would love to get involved with advocacy work regarding undocumented children. Hobbies: Writing poems and doing +1000 piece puzzles. Why you chose Inova and program pluses: While looking for a residency, I was very interested in a place that made me feel welcomed.

Name: Miranda Bacon, DO Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Home: Beaverton, OR Career Goals: Primary care pediatrics Hobbies: I love hiking, cooking, baking, eating (of course), playing board games (fun or nerdy, I'm all for it), and watching Netflix (even though I somehow always find my way back to The Office). Why you chose Inova and program pluses: I originally chose Inova based on location, but the more I learned about it, the more I fell in love.

1. Dedicated faculty Inova pediatric hospitalists and intensivists are dedicated teachers and excellent role models who are available in-house 24 hours a day. Pediatric subspecialty faculty representing every field are also available to residents for subspecialty electives, consultations and direct patient care guidance. Teaching rounds with the subspecialists as well as formal lectures by hospital-based and primary care faculty are scheduled throughout the week. Faculty members are enthusiastic and devoted to resident education.