UCSF Fresno | Pediatrics

RESEARCH

Strong emphasis is placed on active research efforts of residents, with either community service-based or publishable research a prerequisite to graduation. Community experiences could include time at the Regional Genetic Counseling Unit, Student Health Services at California State University, Fresno as well as visits with public health nurses and involvement in local elementary schools and community advocacy organizations.
Examples of community service activities include:

Enabling Medi-Cal mothers to leave the hospital with infant car seats
Setting standards for middle school athletic program health screenings
Providing high school pre-sports physicals
Mentoring adolescents at local runaway shelters

Resident research projects have included:

Tarpey-UMC partnership promotes healthy kids
Analyzing the incidence of drug use among Fresno County mothers
Comparing resident versus community physician care in hospitals
Reach Out and Read Programs providing books to parents at both Children’s Hospital
Central California and the Children’s Health Center at University Medical Center
Mentoring community college premed students
Identifying the prevalence of family violence in the patient population of the Children’s Health Center

Combined Pediatrics Residency/ Master in Public Health Program

Residents who are interested in a more intensive research experience have an additional option. UCSF Fresno offers an innovative combined residency Masters in Public Health (MPH) program developed in collaboration with the California State University Fresno (CSUF) Health Sciences Department. The CSUF MPH program is accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health. It develops pediatricians with training and skills to conduct research and implement community based programs that will improve the health status of underserved populations. To maximize educational opportunities and minimize conflicts with clinical responsibilities, MPH courses are offered in the evening. MPH students are required to complete a research thesis that can be identical to the community project in Pediatrics.

Recent examples of work done by Pediatric/MPH students include "Knowledge and Practices of Caucasian and Hispanic Parents Regarding Melanoma Detection and Prevention" and "A Background Study of the Factors that Predict Child Abuse and Neglect in High-Risk Infants".