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Pediatric Residency Clinical Curriculum

X+Y+Z (4+2+2)

In 2025-26 Academic year, we moved to an X+Y+Z (4+2+2) schedule as we implemented the new ACGME Requirements.  X blocks are 4 weeks, Y blocks are 2 weeks, and Z blocks are 2 weeks. X blocks are mostly inpatient rotations; Y blocks are mostly outpatient rotations; Z blocks are mostly individualized curriculum (ie, "electives"). Residents can take three (3) 1-week vacations per year during Z-blocks.  Residents get an additional week of vacation during the winter holidays. 

Curriculum 2026-7

 

 

Clinical Rotations

• Inpatient Pediatric Wards – There are four ward teams for admissions to the children's hospital. Each team has both general pediatrics and subspecialty patients. Each team consists of 1-2 supervisory residents as well as 1-2 interns in addition to M3's and M4's as well as a pediatric hospitalist attending. Teams take daytime call every fourth day. During the week, call ends at 5 p.m. when patients are signed out to the night float team. On the weekends, call lasts until 10 p.m. for the interns, and the supervisory residents stay overnight. Upper levels must be dismissed by faculty at 10 a.m. the day after overnight call. Residents will see and care for a variety of patients from "bread and butter Peds" (bronchiolitis, asthma exacerbations, neonatal fever, pneumonia, febrile seizures, etc) to multidisciplinary patients (osteomyelitis, Kawaski disease, pyloric stenosis, etc) to complex and unique pathologies (Proprionic Acidemia, ADEM, FUO, botulism, etc). 
• Night Float – During the week (Sunday through Thursday), there is a night float team consisting of 1-2 supervisory residents and 1-2 interns. Nightfloat shift is from 5 p.m. until 6am sign outs with the day teams are completed.   The night float team is responsible for overnight admissions and cover all the patients admitted to the the floors of children's hospital. 
• Complex Care – At least one supervisory resident and one intern make up the inpatient complex care team. This service follows medically complex patients on a multidisciplinary team with a pediatric complex care hospitalist attending. 
• Pediatric Emergency Department – In the Pediatric ED, residents generally work approximately 15 12-hour shifts. During this month, residents will see a variety of pathology ranging from cough and congestion to trauma. Upper-level residents typically carry the sickest patients in the ER, including the trauma patients.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – As the only Level IV NICU in the state and one of the largest NICUs in the country, we see a wide variety of pathology in our neonatal center. You will take care of the babies in the unit as well as attend high-risk deliveries. 
• Newborn Nursery – There are about 3,000 babies born every year at UMMC - you will know what a healthy newborn is after this month! In addition to well babies on our Mother-Baby Unit, residents will see babies in our intermediate nursery (a step-down unit for the NICU). You will also have the opportunity to attend low-risk deliveries and perform procedures such as circumcisions.
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit – During this month, PGY2 and PGY3 residents take care of the sickest of the sick. In the PICU, residents are able to learn critical care medicine as well as new procedures such as central lines and intubations. There is a night-float system in the PICU as well, so there is no 24-hour call for residents during this month.
• Hematology/Oncology – During this month, you take care of inpatient hematology and oncology patients. We have a wide variety of pathology to see at UMMC this month. You will also have an opportunity to get some additional exposure to procedures such as bone marrow aspirations and lumbar punctures.
• Child Development Center – Learn the ins and outs of developmental and behavioral pediatrics. On this rotation, you will treat patients with ADHD, autism and various genetic and developmental delays in the outpatient setting.
• Electives/Individualized Learning – During these months, you will be able to choose from a wide variety of subspecialties to rotate through. In addition to core pediatric subspecialties, we offer numerous rotations tailored to the individual's career goals. These include mission trips for residents interested in global health, lactation rotation, research electives and dedicated study time for Step 3/Complex 3.
• Subspecialty Clinic – During this rotation, residents will rotate through our various subspecialty clinics such as Cardiology, Endocrinology, Allergy/Immunology, Nephrology, Neurology, Rheumatology, among others.
• General Pediatrics Clinic – In addition to continuity clinic, this rotation is a dedicated time for residents to hone clinical skills in outpatient pediatrics. Residents will rotate at the Batson Kids Clinic and with local Jackson Metro area pediatricians. With advanced notice, residents can elect to complete this rotation at a pediatric practice of their choice.