Resident Research
UAB and Children's of Alabama are leading research institutions in the country, placing UAB Pediatrics in the top 20 for NIH funding among pediatric departments. There are various opportunities for research available including bench, clinical, quality improvement, and simulation. We encourage resident participation in local and national meetings to present original research, attend poster sessions, or share interesting case presentations. The department offers reimbursement for conference and travel expenses. Below is a sampling of research and publications from residents over the last few years:
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Notable Publications
Ingram MA, Pearman JL, Estrada CA, Zinski A, Williams WL. Are We Measuring What Matters? How Student and Clerkship Characteristics Influence Clinical Grading. Acad Med. 2021 Feb 1;96(2):241-248. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000003616. PMID: 32701555.
Gooch C, Robin NH, Hurst ACE. Editorial: Neonatal management of achondroplasia: one hospital's geosocial approach to improve patient outcomes. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2019;31(6):691-693. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000814
Hoppmann A, Williams AP, Coleman A, et al. Partial response to carboplatin, etoposide phosphate, and atezolizumab in a pediatric patient with high-grade metastatic tumor with rhabdoid and focal neuroendocrine features. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020;67(2):e28048. doi:10.1002/pbc.28048.
Patil R, Stoll ML, Mroczek-Musulman E, Noel G. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in an Infant With Polyarteritis Nodosa. J Clin Rheumatol. 2020;10.1097/RHU.0000000000001266. doi:10.1097/RHU.0000000000001266.
Poore TS, Virella-Lowell I, Guimbellot JS. Potential pathogenicity of Inquilinus limosus in a pediatric patient with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2018;53(7):E21-E23. doi:10.1002/ppul.24043.
Marshall AS, Dabal RJ, Law MA. A large ventricular fibroma requiring surgical resection in a symptomatic 3-month-old infant. Cardiol Young. 2020;30(1):129-130. doi:10.1017/S1047951119002877.
Reiff D, Crayne CB, Mannion ML, Cron RQ. Characteristics of coexisting localized scleroderma and inflammatory arthritis. Eur J Rheumatol. 2019;7(Suppl 1):1-5. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19147.
Founders' Fund
The Founders' Fund was established by the UAB Department of Pediatrics to honor the exceptional lifetime achievements of our department’s founders: Drs. John W. "Bill" Benton, Ralph E. Tiller, and Paul A. Palmisano. Educational grants of $1,000 from this fund support new, innovative educational research or programs related to the curriculum or quality and outcomes research of the residency program. Pediatric residents are eligible and frequently awarded Founders’ Fund grants. To date, 104 grants have been awarded!
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2020-2021 Founders' Fund Projects
Baby Safety Shower for Young Mothers
Meghan Harrison (PI)
Abigail Martin
Grace Spears
Kathleen Vincent
Terri Coco
Kathy MonroeImproving Firearm Safety Counseling in Primary Clinic
Austin Wheeler (PI)
Katie Mascia
Abby Martin
Christina Hunley
Jennifer Joseph
Morissa LadinskyImproving Residency Physician History and Physical in Challenging Situations
Nicholas Rockwell (PI)
Nancy Tofil
Michele Kong
Chrystal RutledgeKids CAN DO Telehealth
Stephen Russell (PI)
Channing Brown
Ryan Sheets
Andrew WatsonObesity Prevention Birth-to-Two Years in Primary Care Clinic
Cason Benton (PI)
Kelsey ThetfordPediatric Neurology at UAB Podcast
Salman Rashid (PI)
Khaled Al-RobaidiPediatric RAP
Kylee Miller (PI)
Kathy Monroe
Michele Nichols
Brad Troxler
Chang WuProcedural Competence in Pediatric Residents
Jeremy Ruhlmann (PI)
Alexis Ricci
Jordan Ashcraft
Michele Nichols
Nancy Tofil
Erinn SchmitSTEP-PREP
Joe Bradsher (PI)
Neha Teekappanavar
Andrew Marshall
Channing Brown
Kirollos Roman
Rachel Klein
Carlie SteinWell Child Check that is Anything But Well: Suicidal Teenager
Candice Dye (PI)
Nancy Tofil
Quality Improvement
To fulfill the ACGME quality improvement requirement, all residents participate in quality improvement projects during three years of residency. With a mentor’s guidance, residents lead and drive these projects through the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle to obtain hands-on quality improvement experience. The program selects one project each year to receive the Quality Improvement Project Award. This award honors projects that exhibit exceptional quality improvement methods and improve the care of children in Alabama. Recent projects awarded by the program include the following:
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Quality Improvement Award Winners
Quality Improvement in Primary Care Clinic (2020)
Jenn Anderson and Dan Reiff
The Golden Week Quality Improvement to reduce Severe Intracranial Hemorrhage and Death among Extremely Preterm Infants (2019)
Colm Travers
Using Quality Improvement Process to Increase Influenza Vaccination in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients (2018)
Claire Keith
Reduction of Viral Respiratory Panels Ordered on Patients Admitted with Bronchiolitis (2017)
Karisa Grizzle
Standardizing Care for Patients Discharged with Status Asthmaticus (2016)
Christina Inman, Sam Strachan, Thanh Summerlin, Natalia Lotz, Rose James, Ryan Boggs, Brian Donahue, Charrelle Coates, and Ashley Dodd
Pediatric Research Academic Program (Pediatric RAP)
This scholarly group meets monthly to discuss basic research topics, encourage research during residency, practice oral presentations, and network with each other and faculty. All residents are welcome!
Research Pathways
The UAB Pediatric Residency Program also accepts applicants into the two Research Pathways approved by the American Board of Pediatrics.
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Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP)
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This pathway is open to candidates who are committed to an academic career with a strong research emphasis. Residents would complete 2 years of General Pediatrics, then complete 4 years of subspecialty training.
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Candidates MUST be identified no later than 9 months into their PGY I year, but preferably prior to their beginning their PGY I year.
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This could occur at two different institutions.
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For questions regarding the curriculum and further requirements, please refer to the ABP website or request further information from our UAB Pediatric Residency Program.
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Integrated Research Pathway (IRP)
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This pathway is designed to attract young physician scientists who want to sustain their research skills and productivity during Pediatric Residency.
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This pathway is open to applicants with MD/PhD degrees or equivalent evidence of research experience and/ or commitment.
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Candidates MUST be identified no later than 9 months into their PGY I year, but preferably prior to their beginning their PGY I year.
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This pathway must occur at once institution.
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The pathway duration would be 3 years with two years of general pediatrics (clinical) and up to one year of research.
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For questions regarding the curriculum and further requirements, please refer to the ABP website or request further information from our UAB Pediatric Residency Program.
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Additional Research Opportunity
The UAB Pediatric Residency Program also offers a “Research Gap Year,” which ideally would occur from July to the following June (12 months). If a resident has identified a mentor with whom he/she would like to complete a research project using protected time, the Department of Pediatrics will review the proposal and approve projects that meet requirements necessary for financial support and protected time. The resident would resume his or her pediatric residency responsibilities at the completion of the twelve months or project (or whichever comes first).