UAMS Pediatrics

Message from the Program Director

Dear Prospective Resident:

I believe that our greatest strength as a residency program is that we have great residents. Our housestaff works well together developing friendships which last long after residency has ended. Upper level residents consistently demonstrate excellent leadership skills and take an active role in teaching the interns. Residents at all levels of training assume responsibility for their patients' care and develop confidence in clinical decision making while demonstrating professionalism in their personal interactions.

We are also fortunate to have an outstanding teaching faculty. In particular, our chief residents are readily available, are excellent physicians, are proven leaders and serve as examples of professionalism. This is a teaching hospital where resident education is a top priority. As such, the clinical faculty is approachable and works well with the residents in clinical settings. They are also available to provide mentorship for those residents whether choosing a career in general pediatric practice or seeking subspecialty training and research experience.

Arkansas Children's Hospital, the primary site for the residency training program, is one of the ten largest pediatric hospitals in the United States. Thus, our housestaff have the opportunity to work with very diverse patient populations from both rural and urban settings. While we care for patients with a wide range of medical problems, some of which require complex subspecialty care, a solid education in general pediatrics continues to be the primary goal for our residents.

Thank you for your interest in our pediatric residency program. We believe that we have an excellent training program and are looking forward to your visit.

Sincerely,
Hank Farrar, M.D.
Residency Program Director
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Chief of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology 

Message from the Chairman

Dear Prospective Resident:

The UAMS Department of Pediatrics conducts the majority of its clinical, educational, and research activities on the campuses of Arkansas Children's Hospital and Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute. Since the hospital is the sole pediatric specialty care center in Arkansas, we serve a large, diverse population. Because of our commitment to comprehensive pediatric care, we have assembled an outstanding faculty with expertise in all areas of pediatric medicine.

Providing specialized services is not our only mission. In contrast to many tertiary centers, our faculty and residents are primary care providers for a large population. We seek to prepare our residents for the practice of pediatrics in an ever changing health care environment. Upon completion of training, our residents feel equally competent and confident entering a primary care practice in a rural community or fellowship training in a large urban academic institution.

I am proud of our residents who function skillfully in the clinical arena. We continuously monitor objective assessments of the educational activities for our residents, such as in-service and board examinations, to develop educational experiences that assure their consistent performance. We are confident that our program provides for optimal learning and unsurpassed excellence in pediatric education by any objective standard.  The opportunities in the areas of community service, advocacy, education and research for our residents provides a broad experience for those residents that want to explore the potential future of a career in academic pediatrics.

Some qualities of a good training program are less easily measured in an objective sense. Subjective measures many times may be even more important. As you visit programs, you will discover that each organization has a certain culture and atmosphere. Each is unique, but some are more nurturing and supportive than others. We believe a nurturing environment is critical to foster learning. As you visit, it is my hope you will sense the excitement and enthusiasm from our dynamic faculty and residents.  I am confident that you will perceive an academic "family" atmosphere, and feel the closeness and camaraderie that sets our program apart from other very good programs.

In summary, our faculty and residents are committed---committed to enhancing health for children through excellence in clinical services, education, and research. But, don't just take my word for it. I invite you to visit and experience it for yourself. Join us and make a difference!
 
Richard F. Jacobs, M.D., FAAP
Robert H. Fiser, Jr., M.D. Endowed Chair in Pediatrics
Professor and Chairman, Department of Pediatrics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
President, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Arkansas Children's Hospital

Message from the CEO

Dear Prospective Resident:

The Vision Statement of Arkansas Children's Hospital system is to "enhance, sustain, and restore the health and development of children."

We seek to provide the highest quality healthcare to each patient who comes through our doors, whether that is for a routine visit in the General Pediatric Clinic, treatment for a serious burn, or something as relatively rare as a bone marrow transplant.

At the same time, we seek to provide maximum support to the family of that child or young adult, knowing that a pediatric patient's care and outcome is likely to be better if the family is involved, if they can provide knowledge and if their fears are allayed along with the child's.

In this rapidly changing world of healthcare, we are continually examining what we are doing to see if we can truly provide the best value for the patient, i.e. quality care at a reasonable cost. We are attempting to respond to the challenges of healthcare reform without losing any of the commitment and caring spirit for which the entire staff of Arkansas Children's Hospital has become known.

As a resident physician here, you will be an important part of our team and the success of what we are trying to do. In addition, you will have an impact on the lives of countless children who come to us not only from every county within the State of Arkansas but also from a number of other states as well. Arkansas Children's Hospital is known for excellent patient care, for providing a superb teaching environment, and, increasingly, is receiving national recognition for the research efforts of its medical and other professional staff.

Please read more about our services on this website. We hope that when you do, you will decide to join us and be a part of our dynamic institution.

Sincerely yours,
Jonathan Bates, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer