Letters from Leadership

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.

Sincerely,

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!

Thank you for your interest in our program. Choosing a residency is one of the most important decisions of your career, and we are honored that you are considering training with us.

At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, our mission is to develop the next generation of compassionate, skilled, and innovative pediatricians. We are committed to providing outstanding clinical training, individualized mentorship, and a supportive learning environment where every resident is challenged to grow while feeling valued as both a physician and a person.

Our residents care for children with an extraordinary breadth of medical conditions while working alongside nationally recognized faculty and exceptional colleagues. Whether your future lies in primary care or subspecialty training, we provide the experiences, mentorship, and flexibility to help you achieve your goals. Opportunities such as the Residents in Schools Initiative (RISI), the Pediatric Education in Community Sites (PECS) Program, the seven Advanced Competency options and ample research opportunities allow residents to explore their interests and shape their own unique career paths in both clinical and non-clinical realms.

While our educational opportunities are exceptional, what truly defines our program is our residency community. Our residents and chief residents create an environment where teamwork, kindness, and respect are the norm. Residency is demanding, but you should never have to navigate it alone. From celebrating milestones to providing support during life's inevitable challenges, we are committed to fostering a culture where everyone belongs.

We also recognize that every resident’s journey is unique. Our program is intentionally designed to provide individualized mentorship, career guidance, and opportunities for leadership and professional growth. Through innovative curricula, dedicated coaching and advising, and meaningful scholarly experiences, residents are empowered to pursue their passions while developing the skills needed to become leaders in pediatrics. Our goal is not only to train outstanding pediatricians, but also to help each resident build a fulfilling and sustainable career.

Thank you for considering Nationwide Children’s Hospital. We invite you to learn more about our program, meet our residents and faculty, and discover what makes our community such a special place to train. We hope you'll see what we already know—that Nationwide Children’s is more than a residency program; it is a community where you will be challenged, supported, and inspired to become the pediatrician you aspire to be.

We look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Claire Stewart, MD
Program Director, Pediatric Residency Program

On behalf of our entire Pediatrics Residency family, welcome to Nationwide Children’s Hospital! We are thrilled that you are considering our program as you take the next step in your journey to becoming a pediatrician. As chief residents, we are excited to share with you what makes our program such a special place to train.

At Nationwide Children’s, our mission is simple yet powerful: to provide exceptional care to children and families, while fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where residents can thrive. You will find a program that is academically rigorous, clinically diverse, and deeply committed to the well-being of our team members and the families we serve. Although our program is large, it has the close-knit feel of a family. With a broad cohort of residents, there is always someone to learn from, collaborate with, or lean on for support. The bonds that form within our community create a sense of belonging, connection, and shared purpose that makes even a large program feel personal and welcoming.

Our residents care for patients across a wide range of settings: from one of the nation’s largest tertiary children’s hospitals to community-based primary care clinics. You will gain a breadth of exposure to both complex subspecialty care and long-term continuity. You will have the opportunity to take care of children with rare disease and learn from our Nation’s leading clinical experts. We serve children from Columbus, central Ohio, and beyond, including patients from across the country and around the world. In addition to clinical care, we collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to help families navigate life’s challenges by connecting them with community resources and services. Residents also benefit from endless opportunities in scholarly work spanning advocacy, quality improvement, clinical informatics, bioethics, medical education, global health, and research. Our goal is to make you an outstanding pediatrician and to help you discover the career that meets your clinical and extra-clinical passions.

What truly defines our program, though, is the people. Along the way, you’ll be mentored by dedicated faculty who are passionate about teaching and invested in your success. Our residents are more than colleagues; they are teammates, advocates, and friends who support one another throughout residency. Whether celebrating milestones, sharing residency-lounge laughs, or collaborating on projects, the sense of camaraderie here is unmatched. By just a few days into orientation, our residents make friendships that truly last a lifetime.

As the capital of Ohio, Columbus offers the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and affordability. From strolling through historic German Village to enjoying the vibrant art scene in the Short North or exploring the charm of nearby Worthington, there is always something new to discover. Weekends can be filled with biking or hiking trips, art and music festivals, food and wine tastings, sporting events, or an evening at the local theater. Beyond the bustle of festivities and events, our residents also enjoy exploring the city’s thriving food and brewery scene, taking in the natural beauty of the Metro Parks, or cheering on our hometown teams: the Columbus Crew (MLS soccer team), the Blue Jackets (NHL hockey team), the Clippers (minor league baseball), and of course, THE Ohio State Buckeyes. While residency is demanding, we are committed to fostering an environment that values balance and supports the personal, emotional, and professional well-being of every resident.

As you explore our program, we encourage you to get to know our residents and faculty, learn about the opportunities available, and picture yourself as part of our community. We remember how exciting, while also overwhelming, this process can feel, and we want you to know that you will be warmly welcomed here. We could not have asked for a better training experience and are so excited to share our stories with you.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Nationwide Children’s Hospital. We wish you the best of luck as you embark on this important next chapter, and we hope to meet you soon!

All the best,

Maddie Dudon, Jenna Hatab, Gina Livecchi, Ellen Lubbers, Dannie Roberts
Your 2025-2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pediatric Chief Residents