About the Program

Harlem Hospital Center

Educational Goals

Our educational program is designed for residents to gain the fundamental knowledge and expertise to become the best pediatricians possible, and from there to pursue their individual giftedness, whether that be general pediatrics or subspecialty practice. We challenge residents to become leaders and agents of change in their individual career paths as well as true child advocates.

The departmental philosophy is one of broad-based training with exposure to a wide variety of general and subspecialty problems in children stressing the importance of patient involvement and ownership. We recognize that three years is an arbitrary time limit and that this is not the end of a pediatric education, but only the beginning. Thus, we emphasize not only building medical knowledge and patient care skills but also how to learn and how to incorporate new knowledge into practice as preparation for continuing education throughout their medical careers.

Overall Learning Objectives

Medicine is learned best from patients, with guidance from experienced role models. The pediatric residency program is designed to provide increasing responsibility commensurate with the resident’s level of education.

Thus, Leadership experience begins early in the PGY 2 year, when the resident is placed in supervisory positions on the inpatient floor and in the NICU. PGY 2 and PGY 3 Residents assume a large part of the responsibility for teaching the medical students. In the PGY 3 year, in addition to clinical supervisory assignments, additional supervisory opportunity is provided through rotating assignments as acting chief resident and as a guest attending during the Teaching & Leadership elective.

The ACGME Core Competencies

Our residency program requires the residents to obtain competency in the 6 areas below to the level expected of a new practitioner. To this end, we have defined the specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes required and will provide educational experiences to develop this competency. These are detailed in the specific goals and objectives for each rotation at each level of training.

  • Medical Knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate (e.g. epidemiological and social-behavioral) sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
  • Patient Care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
  • Professionalism, as manifested through a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with patients, their families, and other health professionals.
  • Practice-Based Learning and Improvement that involves investigation and evaluation of their own patient care, appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvements in patient care.
  • Systems-Based Practice, as manifested by actions that demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.

Departmental Programs

  • Baby Friendly – Harlem Hospital Center was the first hospital in New York City to receive Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Designation, through the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Baby Friendly is about promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding by following the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. 
  • Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program – The sickle cell center at Harlem Hospital includes the crucial involvement of many services, team members, and resources, including pediatric primary care, pediatric and adult hematology, adult primary care, cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, social services, neuropsychology, ophthalmology, general and orthopedic surgery services, nursing, laboratory services, blood bank, and a transition program for sickle cell patients making the transition from pediatric to adult medical care. The goal is to provide state-of-the-art comprehensive services to patients with sickle cell and other hematologic diseases in Harlem and beyond.
  • The Harlem Dance Leadership Program – The Harlem Dance Leadership Program (HDLP) started in 1989 and is designed to engage inner city kids to participate in positive, fruitful and safe activities. HDLP provides support in areas such as performing arts, cultural exchange/outreach trips, outdoor recreational activities, child life activities, advocacy, counseling, tutoring, etiquette classes, and pre- professional leadership skills and follow along services.
  • Asthma Outreach Program – Community health workers reach out to families of our Asthma patients to assess the home condition. 
  • Child Life – Child Life Specialists are trained professionals who provides emotional support for families and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences related to healthcare and hospitalization.

Other Hospital Programs Relevant to Pediatrics

  • WIC Program – a federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program that provides quality health and nutrition counseling, breastfeeding education and support, as well as a healthy food package tailored to meet the needs of the patient and the family. 
  • Quit Smoking – a smoking cessation program that provides comprehensive and affordable treatment choices for tobacco users, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), counseling services, and other available resources.
  • Harlem’s Crossroad Program – Hospital-based community outreach program for high school students to become health ambassadors promoting healthy lifestyle and injury-prevention in the community.