Residency Program | Child Advocacy

We recognize that the desire to advocate for children is a significant factor in choosing pediatric medicine. As an integral component of residency training at Washington University/St. Louis Children's Hospital, a structured advocacy selective called Pediatricians in Community has been developed to cultivate a greater understanding for poor and medically complex children's lives. During this rotation, residents visit with community agencies that care for these children and families through full-day or half-day visits with partnering community experts. More than 20 community organizations are part of the rotation education team which includes domestic violence services, home nursing visits, early intervention programs and school-based resources, among others. Through this program, residents can gain a broader appreciation of resources, services and committed people that make a difference in sustaining children's health.

"The Pediatricians in Community rotation exposes residents to agencies and individuals in St. Louis that are working to better the lives of vulnerable local children." - Sarah Garwood, PL-3

Residents also may choose to design their elective months pursuing those advocacy issues that have touched their lives on a personal level or their patients' lives. The Department of Pediatrics encourages and supports advocacy electives. In recent years, our residents have engaged in legislation for literacy projects, wilderness experiences for inner-city youth, communication/interpreting for new immigrant populations, self-esteem programs aimed at reducing at-risk behaviors, and nontraditional physical therapies for children with special needs.

While on Adolescent Medicine, Behavioral/Developmental and Teaching rotations, residents also are involved in a multitude of community-based advocacy issues in a variety of settings. These include psychiatric diseases and sexually transmitted diseases as well as neglect, abandonment and abuse. Off-site experiences include teaching and caring for pregnant and postpartum teens at an area residential high school, caring for teens with HIV/AIDS through Project ARK and teaching children at area shelters.

Poverty and chronic medical conditions greatly impact children and families' lives. We see these advocacy efforts as central to the development of a cadre of caring, committed, pediatrician advocates that will serve children and families for a lifetime.

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