Educational Setting

The pediatric residency program is centered in the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center (CMC), a major referral center for the state of Georgia and South Carolina.  This setting provides for a good balance of locally referred general pediatric problems as well as severe illnesses and complex subspecialty problems from the larger catchment area.

INPATIENT                                                    
The CMC has its own pediatric emergency room, operating rooms, radiology suite, and parking.  Currently there are 115 inpatient beds dedicated to the care of children, teens, and their families. These include a 36-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a 13-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and a 14-bed Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit.

 

In planning the CMC, much time and effort and consideration was given to the needs of the housestaff.  On-call rooms are provided in a centralized area on the first floor.  Residents each have a private sleep room and share a large lounge area that has computers, television, and a kitchenette. Dedicated call rooms are also provided for residents on PICU and NICU rotations.

 

The resident lounge provides a place for residents to relax, catch up on labs, grab a bite to eat, and spend time with one another and their families.  It recently underwent major renovations and updates, including a 46" flat panel TV and three new computer stations, to maximize it's effectiveness and comfort.  A quiet medical library located near the lounge also underwent a major update with the addition of four computer stations, recliners, and tables to provide an ideal place for reading.

 

MCG has a comprehensive computerized data system. Computer terminals are accessible in every clinic, unit, and floor, allowing access to the hospital information system for laboratory results, radiology reports, and past medical records.  We also use computer-order entry.  A superb support staff of pediatric-trained respiratory, physical, occupational, and speech therapists complement the Children’s Medical Center.  Our Child Life personnel help provide education and reassurance for patients and families.

 

OUTPATIENT
The outpatient facilities at MCG are housed in the Ambulatory Care Clinic building.  This clinic facility houses the general pediatrics, adolescent, subspecialty, and resident continuity clinics.  The housestaff participate in all clinics, either as required rotations or as electives.  Attending staff are present for all clinic sessions to ensure an excellent teaching environment.

Palmetto Pediatrics is hub of the outpatient experience for residents, located in nearby Aiken, SC. This clinic provides a smaller and more intimate experience for residents and allows for more one-on-one education with the MCG supervising pediatric attending.  Responsibilities include newborn and level two nurseries, general pediatric inpatients and general pediatric outpatient experience.