Future Pediatricians Welcomed with White Coats at Traditional Ceremony

Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, welcomed the most diverse group of medical students yet to be trained as future pediatricians in its residency program with a traditional ceremony. Each of the 12 physicians in training donned their white coats at the event, marking the start of their three years of hands-on experience to build clinical competence. Now in its fourth year, the Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida pediatric residency program provides robust clinical training, engages participation in research, and encourages opportunities to serve the community through advocacy.

“Nemours Children’s matched an increased number of physicians from multiple medical schools nationally and internationally. The new class of interns speak 9 languages, and almost half of the class are native Spanish speakers. These physicians reflect Nemours commitment to caring for the diverse communities we serve, which is a priority for our program,” said Dr. Amber Hoffman, program director at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.

“Now in its fourth year, we are also celebrating the achievements of the first-ever group of graduating residents, who have just completed the three-year training program. They are contributing to the shortage of physicians in Central Florida needed to care for our growing population,” said Dr. Heather Fagan, an award-winning medical educator who developed the graduate medical education infrastructure at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2016.

When they are asked why they apply to Nemours, residents indicate that it is the sense of camaraderie among the classes that makes our program appealing, added Dr. Hoffman.

 For its new class, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida had 1,118 applications for 12 categorical positions. At Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, there were 1,047 total applications for 22 positions. At Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, there were 87 applications for the 2 pediatric neurology categorial positions there.

Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida recently honored its first class of residents with a celebratory dinner in which the graduating residents were recognized for their many contributions to improving children’s health through clinical practice, research and service during their three years of training. Half of the graduating class, six physicians, will fill open positions at Nemours Children’s Health, where they will serve patients. Others will go on to fellowships to advance their specialties. Helping mitigate the physician shortage in Florida, all but one Nemours resident will remain in the state.

Bolstered by the legacy of Alfred I. duPont and the Nemours Foundation, Nemours Children’s Health has constructed an academic facility dedicated to exceptional patient care, medical education, public policy and children’s welfare.