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Frequently Asked Questions

How many residents are in your program?

We have 15-17 categorical pediatrics positions for each year. In addition, there are also six (6) Med-Peds residents per year as well as 1-2 Child Neurology positions. Our total number is 65-70 residents.

What are the perks of your program?

• Salary as determined by University of Mississippi Medical Center IHL
• $1,000 funds toward educational materials (over 3 years)
• Free covered parking
• Reimbursement for Step 3 passage in PGY-I year
• Vacation/personal leave: 15 days per academic year
• Conference time and funds available each year of training
• White coat provided
• Health insurance: Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, UMMC employee discounts
• Access to Quick Care Clinic, UMMC 2 You Telehealth and the UMMC employee assistance program for resident wellness
• Professional liability coverage: covered by IHL/UMC
• Paid subscription to PediaLink, including online subscription to PREP question bank, Pediatrics in Review, and Pediatrics journal
• Paid access to Amboss, the online medical knowledge platform, which includes journal articles, question banks, Exam prep for Step 3 and Pediatric Boards, and Clinical tools
• Professional dues: Paid membership in American Academy of Pediatrics & Mississippi Chapter of AAP
• Certification courses provided: BLS, PALS & NRP
• Lounge with computers, stocked refrigerator, and pantry
• Free, catered lunch every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday with free breakfast once per block
• Yearly resident retreat
• Web-based procedure documentation and evaluation system
• Fitness centers: Access to UMMC Student Union; Discount to YMCA
• Favorable rates for dental, health and life insurance plans for residents, spouses and children

Are rotations available in every major subspecialty?

Yes, we have every major Pediatric subspecialty available at Children’s of Mississippi. Residents can rotate through each of the following pediatric subspecialties: Allergy/Immunology, Cardiology, Child Development, Critical Care, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Forensic Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Genetics, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Palliative Medicine, Pulmonology, and Rheumatology.

How is call structured?

We have four inpatient teams that rotate call every fourth day. On weekends, upper level residents have 1-2 24-hour calls per block (2-4 per residency). Other nights are covered by a dedicated night float service and float call. There is a separate inpatient team for Hematology/Oncology and Complex Care. Residents on Hem/Onc and Complex Care do not have overnight responsibilities. 

How much independence do residents have?

Residents are expected to generate and present the plan of care for all patients. There is guidance from attending physicians for all services around the clock. There is a graduated level of responsibility as interns progress during their PGY 1 year to prepare them for the supervisory role of a PGY 2 and PGY-3 to ready for independent practice at graduation.

What about continuity clinic?

All residents have continuity clinic experience at our new Batson Kids Clinic where they see general pediatric patients in an ambulatory clinic two afternoons per week while on Y and Z blocks. During X block months, residents do not attend continuity clinics to allow them more time to focus on inpatient rotations.

What is the average patient volume?

Typical inpatient wards services carry an average of seven to fourteen patients and have three to four residents per team. The continuity clinic schedule has increasing patient numbers with PGY 1 residents starting at 3 patients per half-day clinic. The number of patients increases slowly over the next couple of years until PGY 3 residents see a maximum of eight patients in a half-day clinic.