The Brown University Health/Hasbro Children’s Pediatric Residency Program is committed to providing the resources and mentorship to those who are interested in research, community service, quality improvement projects and advocacy. Our residents present at regional and national conferences, publish major articles and create sustainable community service organizations aimed at helping the local underserved communities. Residents have also been recipients of the competitive American Academy of Pediatrics CATCH grant with many of the projects resulting in positive changes in the lives of our patients and many other awards that recognize their involvement in advancing the field of medicine.
Pediatrics Residency
Unique Opportunities
Community Services & Advocacy
During their training, many of our residents engage in community service projects that broaden their experiences and interactions with the local community. Many of our residents apply for and receive AAP CATCH grants that have made a significant impact on the community. We have relationships with the Rhode Island AAP and Department of Health. Several residents sit on the RIAAP board and are a part of the RIAAP advocacy committee.
Global Health
Curriculum in International Health
The goal of this experience is to understand general principles related to health of children in developing countries and how these principles apply to underserved populations in the United States. This 2-year curriculum will begin as a PGY-2. Interested residents will apply into the curriculum at the end of their PGY-1 year.
Global Health Educator: Tanya Rogo, MD
BRIGHT Pathway for Global Health
The Brown Residency International and Global Health Training (BRIGHT) pathway is the global health track for those interested in furthering their interest in global health. During their second year of training, residents in the categorical pediatrics, Med-Peds or Triple Board programs can apply for this track. Residents who complete this training will receive a certificate in global health at the end of their training. This track includes online modules, quarterly meetings, journal clubs and a capstone project on a global health topic. For pediatrics and Med-Peds, the advisors include Mike Koster, MD (pediatric hospitalist/infectious disease) and Natasha Rybak, MD (Combined adult and pediatric infectious disease). Dr. Rybak is also one of the original resident founders of this group when she was a resident. For those who are interested, an application will be sent out during the second semester of the academic year.
BRIGHT Pathway for Global Health
The Brown Residency International and Global Health Training Pathway (BRIGHT) began as an interest group in global health. Originally founded by 4 Med-Peds residents in 2009, the pathway has now expanded to include all residents and fellows with a Brown affiliation.
Away Rotations
Brown residents will receive call free electives during their training which can be used towards rotations in another country. Residents in the past have gone all over the world including Cambodia, Haiti, South Africa, Spain, Kenya, Argentina, and Paraguay. Depending on particular interests, each of these locations will provide a different experience for the learner. Mike Koster, MD, one of the pediatric hospitalists, has done a lot of work in Haiti and can help work with residents who are interested in doing a rotation there. Residents who go abroad will then share their experiences in a morning report. While away from campus, the hospital will continue to pay their salary.
Research Concentration (BURST)
Pediatric, Med/Peds, and Triple Board residents interested in research can apply to the Brown University Research Scholarship Track (BURST) at the end of their PGY-1 year. Launched in 2025, this track provides residents with mentorship matching, project selection assistance, and tailored support in reaching their scholarship goals. Residents who participate in the track will also attend Brown’s quarterly seminar addressing more in-depth research topics including how to design and defend a study, analytical tools for data presentation, how to write a quality manuscript in a timely manner, and ethical principals in conducting research. This track is led by our department’s Director of Resident Research, Lawren Wellisch MD, ScM. Please reach out to Lawren Wellisch with questions about BURST or resident research experiences at Hasbro Children’s!
Global Health Concentration
Pediatric Global Health Track
Are you interested in a career caring for underserved and global populations?
The Global Health Track is a 2-year curriculum designed for residents interested in learning more about caring for children in resource-limited areas—both right here at home and across the globe!
Here’s what’s on the itinerary:
- Go Global (and Local) with an international elective and domestic clinical experiences serving local global communities.
- Get Scholarly with a global health project of your own.
- Level Up Your Ethics with a global health ethics workshop.
- Stay Sharp with the annual global health journal club to learn the evidence behind child health interventions.
- Build Community with peers and faculty to collaborate and develop plans for engagement in global health.
Please contact the global health track co-directors for more information:
Med-Ed Concentration
Concentration in Medical Education
The Concentration in Medical Education is a two-year track for PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents who want to grow as clinician-educators. The curriculum bridges the gap between being a strong clinician and being an effective teacher and educational leader, combining educational theory, hands-on teaching experience, structured feedback, and mentorship from Med-Ed faculty. Each resident is paired with a faculty mentor, completes a mentored scholarly project, and receives a formal certificate of completion at graduation. The concentration is well suited for residents interested in academic medicine, medical education fellowships, or future roles in teaching and educational leadership. Interested residents apply during the spring of their PGY-1 year.
Sample Concentration Timeline
| Timeline | Focus Area | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 (Spring) | Onboarding | Apply to track; match with Med-Ed faculty mentor. |
| PGY-2 (Fall) | Foundations | Complete asynchronous learning modules on adult learning theory and clinical teaching frameworks. Define scholarly project topic. |
| PGY-2 (Spring) | Teaching Elective Block | Two-week dedicated Residents as Teachers elective. Begin work on scholarly project. |
| PGY-3 (Fall) | Curriculum & Project | Focus on scholarly project production and implementation. Participate in various teaching opportunities with medical students and residents. |
| PGY-3 (Spring) | Scholarship | Present scholarly project at Residency Research Day or a national conference (e.g., APPD, PAS). Receive certificate of completion. |
Advocacy Concentration
The Pediatric Advocacy Track is a two-year optional longitudinal curriculum designed for PGY-2 and PGY-3 pediatric residents. It equips residents with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to advocate effectively for children at the clinical, community, and legislative levels. The track is organized around the current American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for General Pediatrics, with a structured sequence of asynchronous learning, hands-on experiential activities, and a culminating advocacy portfolio.
Track Design Principles
- Longitudinal and developmental: skills build sequentially across PGY-2 and PGY-3
- Issue-focused: each resident anchors their track to one chosen child health issue
- EPA-anchored: all activities are organized around the current ABP General Pediatrics EPAs, primarily EPA 11 and the cross-cutting competencies
- Flexible: asynchronous components accommodate variable clinical schedules
- Portfolio-assessed: evidence of competency is collected throughout and presented at completion
Participating Residents
Open to all PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents who have successfully completed the required PGY-1 intern rotation. Enrollment occurs in June of the PGY-1 year, and activities begin in the PGY-2 year. Residents complete the track over two academic years.
hospitalist/infectious disease) and Natasha Rybak, MD (Combined adult and pediatric infectious disease).
Dr. Rybak is also one of the original resident founders of this group when she was a resident. For those who are interested, an application will be sent out during the second semester of the academic year