UK HEALTHCARE Pediatrics

The one-year specialty residency focuses on diverse experiences in pediatrics and neonatal medicine at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.  With almost 250-beds, the children’s hospital has 43 general pediatric beds, 16 pediatric intensive and cardiac intensive care beds, 90 neonatal intensive care and neonatal abstinence care beds, 12 progressive care beds, 26 newborn nursey beds, 11 sedation and procedural/observation beds, 17 bed behavioral health unit, and 21 dedicated pediatric emergency department beds.  The primary emphasis of the program is to develop clinicians with expertise in the care of pediatric patients.  Rotation schedules are tailored to the interests of the resident. Residents completing the program are expected to demonstrate competency in the areas of contemporary pharmacy practice, written and oral communication, teaching and clinical research.

The pediatric residents participate in clinical research activities that are presented at a national meeting and submitted for publication. Residents participate in the on-call program, clinical rounds, didactic and experiential teaching, clinical research, scholarly activity, clinical conferences, grand rounds, and institutional or departmental committees. 

The program is affiliated with a nationally recognized college of pharmacy which provides residents with opportunities to engage in educational activities including precepting Doctor of Pharmacy students on clinical rotations, facilitating group discussions, and didactic lectures.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) on its list of the Best Children’s Hospitals.  KCH and Cincinnati Children’s Joint Pediatric Heart Program ranked 7th in the country in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery.  KCH, in association with Shriners Hospital for Children Medical Center – Lexington, ranked 42nd in the country for pediatric orthopedic care. New to 2023, pediatric urology services at KCH ranked 42nd in the country.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

“Nothing comes before the care of a sick child [patient].” As a core philosophy of our pediatric pharmacy team, we are honored to care for all neonatal, pediatric and adult patients who hold an array of complex medical needs. This care spans across Kentucky Children’s Hospital’s inpatient and ambulatory footprint.  Our patients are from many areas of the Commonwealth, and we gladly embrace them for whatever identity they may hold.  To that end, we strive to recruit and maintain talented team members that work together to support and provide this same passion and dedication to patient care and each other.

We place great value on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.  It is our diversity – of lived experiences, of thought, of the traits and identities that shape who we are – that makes our pharmacy family more dynamic, progressive, and successful.  As members of the pediatric pharmacy team, pharmacists, residents, technicians, and interns will continuously be supported to be successful in the important role of caring for every neonatal, pediatric and adult patient.  We strive to foster within this environment a platform for these team members to reach their desired professional goals and objectives. That platform includes celebrating each person for who they are and ensuring everyone feels seen and heard. 

Indeed, “nothing comes before the care of a sick child.”  We dedicate our absolute best efforts to the wellness of each patient, and we make the same pledge of care and understanding to one another.

Learn more about our program on Instagram @ukpedsrxresidency and in this short video.