Tracks

Health care providers from Rush University Medical Center have been supporting and assisting local communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti to establish and sustain public health and medical services.

Multi-specialty teams in medicine, pediatrics, surgery, nursing and physical therapy provide services to communities in each country on a quarterly basis. Residents and medical student play an important role on the Rush service teams.

Established 2017

Through a partnership with Community Empowerment a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and the Office of Global Health at Rush multi-specialty teams in medicine, pediatrics, surgery, nursing and physical therapy provide services to communities in each country on a quarterly basis. Residents and medical student play an important role on the Rush service teams. This track was then opened to pediatric residents as well. The global health track is offered to residents who desire a broader and deeper exposure to service and learning in global health. It is not a requirement to be accepted to the global health residency track to participate in service trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic; however, priority is given to global health residents.

Requirements for global health track

Candidates must be accepted to the Internal Medicine, Pediatrics or Med-Peds Residency Program in order to apply. Invite to apply will come after Match to the incoming class.

The global health track includes the following over a three-year period:

• Self-study curriculum as outlined by section director
• Participation in a minimum of three weeks of service in the Dominican Republic and/or Haiti
• Participation in a longitudinal study/project as outlined by the section director
• Presentation at grand rounds or noon conference
• Scholarship provided to residents, which will cover on average 50 percent of the cost of each service trip (residents should expect to pay $600 - $700 per trip)

Through the Rush Pediatric Residency 2-year Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Track, participating residents will have special guidance on a specific project of their choosing from mentors who are enthusiastic and who have access to resources, data, and statistical help. The track spans the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years of residency. Applications are submitted towards the end of PGY-1 year.

Residents in the track are required to complete the following:

• Develop and implement a QI/PS project under faculty supervision designed to directly improve patient care, satisfy the ACGME residency program requirement for academic productivity, and ideally lead to nationally presented abstracts and publication in peer reviewed journals.
• Earn the IHI Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety (asynchronous online modules).
• Lead one Pediatric Residency M&M conference
• Participate in a one month “QI/PS Elective” where they will have the opportunity to work alongside hospital patient safety leadership at various QI/PS committee meetings (institution, department, and/or division level), participate in real-time event reviews, and have time to work on their projects.
• Serve as the resident representative on a Pediatric Safety committee that aligns with their clinical interests and career goals throughout the 2 year track.
• Collaborate with residents in other Departments on the QI/PS track in the Rush Housestaff Quality Committee.

2022-2023 was the inaugural year for the Pediatric track, however this track has been well established in Internal Medicine. Examples from Internal Medicine QI/PS projects on various subjects, including:

• transfusion reduction and blood utilization optimization
• improving After Visit Summary discharge communication
• improving night float handoff process
• reduction of daily lab draws

Many of these projects have resulted in significant cost savings, improvements in patient safety/flow, and also have been presented in local/regional forums, as well as at national conferences. We look forward to the future projects from our pediatric residents!

To see an example of our application, please click here. If you have questions about this track, please contact Program Coordinator, Claudia B. Reyes at ​​​​​​claudia_b_reyes@rush.edu

KidsCARE (Community Advocacy at Rush for Equity)

First year residents learn about different ways they can help advocate for their patients through experiences with various community organizations. Given that advocacy is a large part of every pediatrician’s career, the Advocacy Track was established in July 2020. This will provide motivated residents the opportunity to have a longitudinal experience in order to strengthen their ability to become future leaders in advocacy on community, state, and national levels.

KidsCARE Mission Statement

Advocacy is a vital part of every pediatrician’s career. Our mission is to support motivated residents in their journey to becoming pediatricians who are excited and competent in advocating for patients and families on individual, institutional, community, and legislative levels. This will involve learning how to effectively work with community partners and develop leadership skills to promote the well-being and health of children. Now more than ever, we need young physicians to rise to the challenge of finding equity for all our patients.

For more information on community engagement at Rush, visit our pages on The Center to Transform Health and Housing and RUSH Community Service Initiative Program

Recruitment to Track

Applications will be accepted until November of your first year. Up to 2 residents will be selected based on submitted CVs and personal statements. Residents in the Global Health Track are excluded.

Requirements

• Self-study curriculum developed in conjunction with the course directors
• Minimum of 2 weeks of Advanced Advocacy during PL2 and PL3 years
• Completion of a  Longitudinal Advocacy Project
  • Present at Grand Rounds
  • Submit abstract/presentation

Core topics

• Social Determinants of Health/ACES
• Empowering Pediatricians to Promote Patient Health
• Vulnerable Populations (Medically Complex/Special Needs)
• Safety/Prevention/Health Promotion
• Community Partnerships/Engagement (schools, libraries)
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion​

2023 Graduate Projects

Courtney Franceschi, MD
Project: Revamping sexual education curriculum for Chicago Public Schools

Savannah Cheo, MD

Project: Revamping sexual education curriculum for Chicago Public Schools

Anne Ewing, MD

Project: Addressing Barriers to Influenza Vaccination in Chicago Homeless Shelters