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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:


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!


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:

  


Pediatric Research Academic Program (Pediatric RAP)

resident research 6

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. 


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).