Being paired with the same COPE preceptor for three years has allowed me to become assimilated into the practice, identify goals with my preceptor, and have teaching/discussions between patients. I look forward to going to COPE every week!

Kylie Bushroe, PL-3, COPE preceptor Andrea Orr

I very much enjoy working with my preceptor. She has a profound connection to her patient population and is an excellent model for how to care for a patient in the context of the whole family. She is a good teacher, a caring physician and an engaging mentor.I look forward to my clinic every week because of my relationships with my preceptor and the office staff.

Courtney Rusch, PL-2, COPE preceptor Jennifer Dunn

My relationship with my COPE preceptor has been one of my most meaningful and longitudinal relationships I developed during my residency. She has taught me so much about medicine, as well as the day-to-day logistics and business of being a primary care provider. She has also been a great ‘life’ mentor for me, sharing her experiences as a physician parent, and making calls and advocating on my behalf as I applied for jobs. Whenever I get to my COPE office, the staff there treats me like family and makes me feel welcome and appreciated. I will truly miss COPE now that I’m graduating!

Amanda Dube, graduated 2020, COPE preceptor Dr. Mueller

Working with my COPE preceptor has been one of the highlights of my residency. Having the longitudinal, one-on-one mentorship from a community pediatrician has helped strengthen my clinical skills and foster a deep appreciation for the role of the primary pediatrician.

Alex Plattner, PL-3, COPE preceptor Dr. Hartenbach

The Community Outpatient Practice Experience (COPE) program, developed in 1991, pioneered a new standard of ambulatory primary care education for pediatric residents. Through COPE, each resident is paired with a practicing pediatrician in the community for one half day per week throughout residency. The program uses a variety of practice settings and emphasizes continuity of care, management of common pediatric problems, longitudinal care of chronic illnesses, anticipatory guidance and behavioral and developmental pediatrics. The program provides a unique connection between the community clinics and the tertiary medical center.

Interns are paired with preceptors through a matching system after they have had an opportunity to meet several preceptors during orientation. Pairing residents with practicing clinicians provides an ideal setting for effective adult learning. Preceptors and residents observe one another regularly, allowing frequent opportunities for feedback and role modeling. In addition to clinical pediatrics, residents are exposed to the practice environment, often gaining insight into issues such as management of telephone calls, scheduling patient visits, and the business aspects of the practice. In order to facilitate integration into the practice, each resident is relieved of inpatient responsibilities to spend two-three weeks in the preceptors' offices during each year of residency. These weeks are supplemented with a standardized primary care curriculum composed of small group discussions and online modules.

The educational objectives of the COPE program emphasize the development of a learning process which focuses on clinical problem-solving and decision-making skills. The curriculum is organized in a progressive manner, emphasizing health supervision and anticipatory guidance early in the experience. During the second and third years, residents are expected to gain additional experience handling acute pediatric problems and chronic illnesses.

Currently, 93 pediatricians participate in the program as COPE preceptors; half of whom are former SLCH residents. Preceptor candidates are selected on the basis of qualifications such as being outstanding role models, demonstrating enthusiasm for teaching, and being experienced community pediatricians. COPE practices include solo, small group and large group practices which may be primate, managed care, or publicly-funded. COPE sites are located in urban and suburban settings with a mean travel time between the hospital and COPE sites of 25 minutes. Gas mileage is reimbursed.

The COPE program is the only program of this type and has been enthusiastically supported by our residents, community, and academic faculty. The program was nationally recognized by the Ambulatory Pediatric Association when it was awarded the 1996 Outstanding Teaching Award. Over ninety percent of preceptors with residents graduating from the program express interest in participating with a new resident. Through COPE, our residents receive a robust training in primary care pediatrics and gain an appreciation for the demands and rewards of a primary care practice. Residents leave well-prepared to make informed career decisions based upon their experience.

Preceptors

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Stuart Adams, MD

Stuart Adams, MD

ESSE Health - O'Fallon Pediatrics

Etihad Al-Falahi, MD

Etihad Al-Falahi, MD

EDEN Pediatrics, LLC

Patricia Amato, MD

Patricia Amato, MD

ESSE Health - Watson Road

Sabat Ameen, MD

Sabat Ameen, MD

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - O'Fallon

Dana Ankney, MD

Dana Ankney, MD

WUCA - Forest Park Pediatrics, LLC

Saba Bajwa, MD

Saba Bajwa, MD

HSHS Medical Group Pediatrics - O'Fallon

Laura Barton, MD

Laura Barton, MD

Pediatric Healthcare Unlimited

Michelle Beumer, MD

Michelle Beumer, MD

Riverside Pediatrics

Trina Blythe, MD

Trina Blythe, MD

Way to Grow Pediatrics

Tara Budetti, MD

Tara Budetti, MD

Family Care Health Centers

Lorena Buffa, MD

Lorena Buffa, MD

WUCA - Cloverleaf Pediatrics

Rebecca Bullivant, MD

Rebecca Bullivant, MD

WUCA - KIDS Docs