Department of Pediatrics

Training & Education

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Pediatrics Residency Program

The Department of Pediatrics is passionate about training the next generation of pediatric leaders.

The department offers an array of residencies and fellowships at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Los Angeles General Medical Center and Keck Medicine of USC clinics. Our programs prepare residents to become well-rounded pediatricians through extensive hands-on experience, training by dedicated mentors and exposure to Los Angeles’ extraordinarily diverse patient populations, with a focus on the underserved.

In addition to clinical training, residents and fellows have opportunities to pursue innovative research at Keck Medicine of USC, one of the world’s finest academic medical centers, and its partner institutions. Though collaborative clinical research, we continually make new discoveries for children’s health — and our trainees are a critical part of those pursuits.

Infant girl having her heart checked by stethoscope

Training Hospitals

Children’s Hospital LA

LA General Medical Center

Keck Medicine of USC

Pediatric Residency

Children are not miniature adults. They need specialized attention for each stage of development. Residents in the Department of Pediatrics are prepared for a wide variety of careers in pediatric medicine through intensive, hands-on training.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Residency

The pediatric residency is a three-year program (intern year, second year and third year) based at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles that develops wide-ranging pediatric expertise in its residents. In addition, all residents are involved in community advocacy work, including educating parents in obesity prevention, asthma care and child safety, and helping secure resources for low-income parents, children with special needs and more.

Over the past 15 years, 96 percent of our residency’s graduates passed the American Board of Pediatrics exam on the first attempt, far above the national average of 75 to 80 percent.

Learn more by visiting the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Residency site.

Los Angeles General Medical Center Pediatric Residency

The teaching program at USC is focused on developing excellence as a primary care provider which serves as a foundation for community-based practice and/or sub-specialty fellowship training. Our graduates are extremely competitive in the job market and for fellowship positions. Many hold prominent leadership positions in their communities and in academic medicine.

There are 11 categorical Pediatric resident positions per year and 6 combined Medicine-Pediatrics resident positions per year.

Learn more by visiting the Los Angeles General Medical Center Pediatric Residents site

Fellowship Programs

Fellows in the Department of Pediatrics receive advanced clinical training and in-depth research skills to become specialists ready to pursue careers in pediatric medicine. Our numerous fellowship programs attract postdoctoral fellows from across the country who know that, at USC, they will receive the finest training available.

Learn more about the overall fellowships program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Fellowships span several specialties. Additionally, fellows have many research opportunities that they can take part in. Visit the research opportunities for fellows page to learn more.

Additional Educational Opportunities

  • Continual, lifelong learning is a vital part of being an effectual pediatrician. The Department of Pediatrics Continuing Medical Education (CME) program provides practicing pediatricians at USC and throughout the community with numerous, exceptional educational opportunities throughout the year to keep up to date on the latest developments, treatment options and standards of care in pediatric medicine. More than 20,000 clinicians attend our CME events each year.

    For more information, contact:
    Laura Wachsman, MD
    Phone: (323) 226-3691
    wachsman@usc.edu

  • The Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital partner with local community high schools and universities to provide opportunities to learn about the field of medicine for students in all stages of their academic careers.

    Summer@USC

    As part of the Summer@USC selection of courses, outstanding high school students can participate in a four-week, intensive “Future Physicians” course. Some two dozen students rotate through Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where they are introduced to the activities and excitement of clinical research and laboratory experiences. The course is an insightful introduction for students interested in a career in healthcare.

    Occidental College Preceptor Program

    The Occidental College Preceptor Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles hosts some 60 students each year who rotate through various departments within the hospital to gain insights and experience in the field of medicine.

  • The Caltech Summer Preceptor program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles inspires bright college students to explore a career in medicine by shadowing the hospital’s physicians.