Transition Care – All residents rotate through our transition care clinic and inpatient consult service during their yearly ambulatory Med-Peds blocks. Additionally, residents may participate in on-site research regarding the care of youth and young adults with special health care needs. Transition Care Website.
LUCENT – The Leadership for Urban Primary Care Education and Transformation (LUCENT) Program at the University of Chicago is a multi-disciplinary program that aims to develop effective leaders for primary care transformation in urban communities. Residents who participate in this program enjoy expanded ambulatory clinical training, participate in monthly seminars, and lead clinical practice innovation projects with research, career and clinical mentorship from leaders in Primary Care.
Medical Education – Second year and third year residents are eligible to apply to become a MERITS medical education fellow in their third and/or fourth years.
Med-Peds Chief Residents – Each year, the program’s fourth-year residents act as the Med-Peds Chief Residents, sharing the responsibilities of the job. The med-peds chiefs work together to strengthen the med-peds identity while at the same time ensuring a seamless integration into both categorical programs. The med-peds chiefs work closely with the categorical chief residents, the program director, the assistant program director, and the program coordinator to manage ambulatory requirements, clinic and annual schedules, social events, and recruiting efforts.
Research opportunities – Med-peds residents are encouraged to partake in scholarly activities, from learning the fundamentals of clinical research to carrying out a research project. There are several opportunities to present one’s research at local and national conferences. A course entitled “Essentials of Patient-Oriented Research” is offered annually through the division of biological sciences with lectures on biostatistics and other basic research topics. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in the research curriculum designed for the categorical pediatric residents that spans the duration of their residency. Mentors abound for both laboratory and clinical research projects in many different areas of interest, and residents are encouraged to participate in such projects. To facilitate this, free electives dedicated to research are available, and funding is provided for poster production and conference attendance. Both categorical departments have days each year dedicated to the presentation of research and case presentations.
Volunteer Opportunities – Residents participate in a variety of different community service projects, through the University of Chicago, or on their own accord through the city of Chicago. Below are some of the clinical volunteer opportunities that residents participate in regularly:
- Washington Park Clinic – Washington Park Clinic is a free public health clinic on Chicago’s south side with the goal of providing immediate, accessible, and free health care services including acute care, well-child check-ups, immunizations, health education and preventive care to infants and children in the Washington Park community. The clinic is run by University of Chicago Pritzker medical students and is staffed by the Department of Pediatrics and Med-Peds residents and faculty. In addition to primary care pediatric services, the clinic also facilitates longitudinal care through referrals to medical, dental, and eye services while addressing the barriers many of the patients face in accessing health care, such as cost and transportation. The clinic also collaborates with other individuals, groups, and companies committed to improving community health.
- Community Health Clinic – Community Health Clinic is a clinic staffed by volunteer medical students, residents and faculty from several Chicago university hospitals. It provides quality free health care to uninsured people living in Chicago and the surrounding communities. The University of Chicago staffs the clinic one day out of each week, providing a wonderful volunteer opportunity for residents. The clinic is recognized nationally for the services it provides the community, including primary, preventive and specialty care, vaccinations, diagnostic tests, case management, education, and pharmacy services. The clinic collaborates with both regional and national groups to provide excellent health care to its patients but also to raise awareness about underinsurance and the need for increased access to affordable quality health care for all.
- Maria Shelter – Since opening its doors in 1985, Maria Shelter has provided housing, food, tutors, and daycare services to the women and children in South Chicago. The shelter houses 50 people at any one time. University of Chicago residents and medical students have the opportunity to provide medical services to women and children at the shelter every Wednesday evening.
Teaching Opportunities – In addition to teaching third and fourth year medical students on the wards, special opportunities exist to expand one’s role as a teacher. A resident seminar on learning to teach is offered annually as part of both the internal medicine and pediatrics departments. Residents are given the opportunity to help advance the learning of first and second year medical students at their volunteer clinics (Washington Park Clinic and Community Health Clinic – see above) as well as during their required Clinical Skills and Physical Diagnosis courses.