Letters from Leadership
We are so glad you are interested in our General Pediatrics Residency program. We encourage you to take a moment to read messages from our pediatrics chair, program director and 2023-2024 chief residents, all of whom share a little more about residency life, training and the possibilities open to you as you start your career as a physician.
A Welcome From Dr. Catherine Krawczeski, Chair Department of Pediatrics Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Congratulations for selecting pediatrics as your career’s passion. There is no more exciting field in biomedicine today – and our children need us more than ever before.
Our beautiful, academic children’s hospital campus offers you a full range of training opportunities. At one end of the child health care spectrum, Nationwide Children’s is a national leader in innovative approaches to population, school and neighborhood health. At the other, we are bringing next generation genomics to the everyday practice of pediatric medicine and discovering life-saving therapies for single gene disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy and muscular dystrophy at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute.
The foundation of our residency training program is comprised of outstanding general pediatric experiences in our primary care clinics and general hospital services. For subspecialty training, which 60% of our residents pursue, nationally renowned clinical and research programs are led by enthusiastic faculty teachers, clinical innovators and mentors committed to academic excellence.
While our program is large, you will be nurtured by a culture of collegiality, listening, feedback, flexibility and fun – even as you are challenged to achieve your full potential. As one of the best residency training environments in the United States, your unique talents, energy and creativity will thrive at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Your metamorphosis as a result of training with us will be among the most gratifying experiences in your career. We are confident completing a residency at Nationwide Children’s will position you to be a child health care leader of tomorrow.
Finally, we celebrate diversity at Nationwide Children’s. As a core value, we commit to our residents feeling safe and supported in an environment that does not tolerate discrimination, harassment or mistreatment as we work and learn together.
We wish you the very best as you embark on an exciting career path in pediatrics.
Catherine Krawczeski, MD
Ann I. Wolfe Endowed Chair in Pediatric Leadership
Chief of the Department of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Welcome to Nationwide Children's Hospital Pediatric Residency Program!
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pediatric Residency Program, our mission is to foster the personal and professional growth of the next generation of diverse pediatricians, leading the field through clinical excellence and individualized academic development, in a dynamic, collegial educational setting. We provide myriad clinical experiences, innovative educational opportunities, and the ability to learn alongside world-class trainees and faculty. We are here to help you develop your passion and prepare you to pursue any type of pediatric career you desire. From community advocacy through our Residents in Schools Initiative (RISI) to curriculum development through the Advanced Competency in Medical Education to revolutionary research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute, the possibilities are endless.
We also pride ourselves in the support, camaraderie, and mentorship that complement our clinical training. Applicants often ask what part of the program I’m most proud of. The answer is easy – the people! We are more than colleagues, we are family. The sense of community is obvious, whether it’s celebrating a birthday, new baby, or just a spontaneous weeknight get-together. The people are the heart and soul of our program and it is truly a privilege to be part of such an amazing team.
Health equity, diversity, and inclusion are central to the mission of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and our residency program. This includes recruiting underrepresented physicians into our training program and cultivating an environment of support and inclusion. We are committed to promoting diversity in the pediatric workforce, locally and globally
We appreciate your interest in our program!
Rebecca Wallihan, MD
Associate Professor, Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Program Director, Pediatric Residency Program
Welcome from our Chief Residents!
On behalf of our residency family, we are so glad you’re here and are interested in learning more about our program.
Residency is a truly unique time in your medical training - and in your life. At Nationwide Children’s, we care about what happens during your time with us, both inside and outside of the hospital. As trainees, we were exposed to a wide array of clinical cases and patient populations, learned from dedicated educators and experts in children’s health, and had opportunities to participate in meaningful research and advocacy projects related to our respective interests. We also welcomed children to our families, got married, ran marathons, bought houses, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. We each found our way into this role as chief resident for different reasons, but we share a common feeling of having found a program that supported us and all that came along the way as we trained to become pediatricians. If you are looking to spend your next several years somewhere that can provide top-tier medical exposure and the support for whatever life throws your way, we are confident that you have landed in a great place.
At Nationwide Children’s, our residents care for a large and diverse patient population. Our city is the 14th largest city in the United States, with a growing immigrant population and a wide breadth of socioeconomic backgrounds. We have top-ranked subspecialty services that draw patients from all over the globe, and a large and well-resourced primary care network that serves a multitude of children in our own city. In addition to clinical exposure, residents have the opportunity to tailor their training experience by participating in our advanced competencies in research, advocacy, medical education, bioethics, or global health. Whether you’re interested in primary care or an academic subspecialty (or maybe both!), the array of experiences offered during your training will provide you with a breadth of exposure to help you decide and prepare for the next steps in your medical career.
We have found Columbus as a city to be a really fun and affordable place to live! Our residents love to live, dine, and go to happy hours in the German Village community, which is within walking distance of our hospital. The Short North has lots of great restaurants and shops, as does Bridge Park on the north side of the city. We have a great trail system for biking, running, and walking and a large network of Metro Parks for hiking, dog parks, and disc golf. Weekends are full of art and music festivals, concerts, and both local and Broadway theater options. We are home to two professional sports teams, the Columbus Crew (soccer), The Columbus Blue Jackets (hockey), and a minor league baseball team, the Columbus Clippers. And of course, our city loves Saturdays in the fall when we get to cheer on our Ohio State Buckeyes!
We have so enjoyed our time in training and hope you experience the same fun and support that we have throughout your interview season. We look forward to meeting you!
Cheers!
Brandi, Evan, Allie, Matt, and Sara