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 2025-2026 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.
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!
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!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Wallihan, MD
Associate Professor, Pediatric Infectious Diseases
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