Medical Students - Pediatric Residency Program

Overview 

The Pediatric Residency Program at Blank Children's Hospital offers third and fourth year medical students the opportunity to rotate on selected clinical units within Blank Children's Hospital. 

Fourth-Year Pediatric Rotations

Our program does not use VSAS for rotation applications. To apply for a rotation with our program, we do require a short personal statement and a copy of the student's CV. For information regarding eligibility and availability of fourth year elective rotations, or to submit your application materials, please contact the program coordinator at Katie.Ludwikowski@unitypoint.org.

Sub-Internship

A four-week rotation at Blank Children's 53-bed general pediatric and surgical inpatient unit. This rotation is open to two fourth-year medical students every four weeks.  

Mission

The rotation is designed to advance the pediatric-specific knowledge and clinical competency, and expand awareness of the complex interrelations between families and the healthcare team. This rotation helps prepare students for the challenges and demands of their internship. 

Overview

The student will function as a sub-intern on the general pediatric teaching service at Blank Children's Hospital. This service cares for general pediatric and sub-specialty pediatric patients from birth through adolescence. Students will increase their knowledge of inpatient pediatrics, gain skill in pediatric procedures and learn to function as an intern. The student will be under the supervision of senior pediatric residents and pediatric hospitalists. Teaching rounds will be held daily.  

Pediatric Emergency Department

A four-week rotation in Blank Children's Hospital dedicated pediatric emergency department. This rotation is open to one fourth-year medical student every four weeks. 

Mission

The student will become familiar with the management of conditions in infants, children and adolescents that may present urgently to an emergency department, general pediatrician or family practitioner. 

Overview

The Blank Children's Hospital pediatric emergency department is a Level II Trauma Center for pediatric patients (Level I for adults). The pediatric ED is staffed 24 hours a day with pediatricians who are board certified in emergency medicine. The ED has approximately 25,000 patients in 2018. This rotation is focused for those interested in entering a residency in pediatrics, family medicine or emergency medicine, who want to learn more about the management of common pediatric illnesses and emergencies. 

NICU

A four-week rotation in Blank Children's Hospital 36-bed Level IV NICU. This rotation is open to one fourth-year medical student every four weeks. 

Mission

The student will develop the knowledge and clinical skills in the resuscitation of newborns, as well as the basic management of acute illness in neonates.  

Overview

This rotation is focused for those interested in entering a residency in pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics or emergency medicine, who want to learn more about the management of acute illness in neonates. 

PICU

A four-week rotation in Blank Children's Hospital 12-bed PICU. The rotation is open to one fourth-year medical student during select months: September, October, January, February, March, April. 

Mission

This rotation is designed to develop the student's knowledge and clinical skills in the recognition of critical illness in children, as well as the basic strategies of initial resuscitation and management. 

Overview

The rotation is focused for those students interested in entering a residency in pediatrics, family medicine or emergency medicine, who want to learn more about the management of common pediatric illnesses and emergencies. 

Third-Year Pediatric Rotations

All clerkship students are excused from clinical duties every Tuesday afternoon for participation in didactic sessions relating to the course objectives.

Six-Week Pediatric Clerkship

Open to four affiliated third-year medical students from the University of Iowa every six weeks. This rotation fulfills the required pediatric clerkship. The rotation is structured as follows: 

  • General pediatric and surgical inpatient unit - three weeks 
  • General pediatric outpatient clinic - one week 
  • Newborn nursery - one week 
  • Community pediatric office - one week 
Four-Week Pediatric Clerkship

Open to two Des Moines University students every four weeks. This rotation fulfills the required pediatric clerkship. The rotation is structured as follows:  

  • General pediatric and surgical inpatient unit - 2 weeks 
  • General pediatric outpatient clinic (Blank Children's Hospital Health Center) - 2 weeks 
  • Newborn nursery - 2 mornings  

Contact Pediatric Residency Program 

Blank Children’s Hospital - Pediatric Residency Program 
1200 Pleasant Street 
Des Moines, IA 50309  
515-241-4497