Forty-six pediatric residents and 10 faculty members from Michigan State University's affiliated pediatric residency programs participated in the Fifth Annual Cross-Campus Pediatric Residency Day on September 16, 2009.
This day provided pediatric residents from Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing an opportunity to get together, familiarize themselves with each other, participate in discussions, and share ideas as to how to enhance their education. The gathering was organized by the Department of Pediatrics & Human Development at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Kalamazoo, Flint, and Grand Rapids.
Drs. Myrtha Gregoire-Bottex (East Lansing), Melissa Hamp (Flint), Jeri Kessenich (Grand Rapids), Elna Saah (East Lansing), Yakov Sigal (East Lansing), and Sathyan Sudhanthar (East Lansing) discussed “Balancing Job and Family,” providing excellent advice to the pediatric residents. Groups of residents from the various campuses and led by the chief residents then reviewed these topics: “Work Hours and Impact on Teaching,” “Effective Teaching During Ward Rounds,” “Effective Study Methods for Board Review,” and “The Importance of Self-Evaluation During Rotations.” Feedback from each group was provided to the entire audience.
H. Dele Davies MD, MSc, MHCM (Professor & Chair, Department of Pediatrics & Human Development, East Lansing) then provided an excellent interactive overview on “Negotiating for your First Job Using the Win-Win Approach.”
During lunch the Program Directors meet with Dr. Davies and chief residents from the campuses to reflect on feedback from the First Annual Cross-Campus Residency Board Review Course at that had held in May 2009 in East Lansing. Plans were developed for the Second Board Review Course in May 2010.
After lunch, Luis Toledo MD, PhD (Professor of Surgery at MSU College of Human Medicine and Professor of History at Western Michigan University—Kalamazoo Campus) led a superb interactive session on “Research as a Resident.”
Finally, there was a panel discussion by Drs. H. Dele Davies, Ashweena Gonuguntla (East Lansing), Melissa Hamp (Flint) and Donald E. Greydanus (Kalamazoo) on “Job Options after Completing Residency.”