Inpatient
Fort Wayne is home to the largest pediatric hospital wing north of Indianapolis. During the pediatric inpatient block, interns work directly with two of the busiest pediatricians in town, including an infectious disease specialist. This block includes exposure to both common and complex problems found in hospitalized pediatric patients. After completing inpatient duties, interns spend the remainder of the day in clinic gaining experience with a wide variety of outpatient pediatric medicine.

Working with neonatologists, the NICU block will give you exposure to all aspects of newborn care. Residents, generally, focus on stabilizing patients and managing common problems, including respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, and hyperbilirubinemia. Calculating fluid and calorie requirements will become second nature. Experience can also be gained with inserting umbilical catheters, intubation, and circumcisions.

The Parkview and Lutheran inpatient services generally have 1-3 pediatric patients, giving you continuous exposure to inpatient pediatric medicine throughout your residency. During the four NHC blocks, residents also provide complete care for all newborns, including management of common conditions and circumcisions.

Outpatient
You will complete two blocks dedicated solely to outpatient pediatrics; in addition, as discussed above, much of the inpatient month during the first year is also spent learning outpatient pediatrics at one of the busiest clinics in the city. You will also be responsible for the complete medical care of many pediatric patients on your own outpatient panel.

Lutheran Hospital is home to several pediatric specialty clinics, including cardiology, pulmonology, and endocrinology. Clinics are staffed by specialists from Indiana University or from right here in Fort Wayne, and most of them are eager to teach residents. These clinics can be accessed during most rotations at Lutheran hospital, including the NICU rotation, or during elective rotations.

Throughout your residency training, you can expect to have exposure to the full range of pediatric medicine. From newborns to adolescents, Fort Wayne will give you the training needed to feel comfortable taking care of the pediatric patient.