The following electives are established through the pediatric medical and surgical subspecialty faculty at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville and Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville.

These electives offer a unique opportunity for exposure to patients in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings:

• Allergy/immunology
• Ambulatory pediatrics
• Anesthesia/procedural skills (WCH/UF)
• Bioethics
• Cardiology
• Care of the medically complex child
• Child Protection Team
• Dedicated clinic months in both the PGY-2/3 years
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Development/behavior evaluation clinic
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology and nutrition
• Hematology/oncology
• Infectious disease
• Jacksonville Health and Transition Services clinic (JaxHATS)
• Medical genetics
• Mental health (elective for PGY2 residents, required for PGY3 residents)
• Microbiology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• NICU (WCH)
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedic surgery
• Orthopedics non-operative/Sports medicine
• Otolaryngology/head and neck surgery
• Palliative care
• Patient safety
• Pediatric emergency medicine (WCH)
• Practice Management Basics (for primary care)
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatry)
• Pulmonology
• Radiology
• Research/Research Skills (the latter is lab based)
• Rheumatology
• Surgery
• Toxicology

Global Health Options

We started our first program sponsored international elective in the fall of 2017. This elective was in collaboration with Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia and made possible through the generosity of the Bruno family and the Scott Bruno fund.

This led to the creation of our global health track, which is now in its sixth year. This is a 3-year longitudinal experience composed of structured didactics as well as experiential and self-directed learning opportunities. Residents on this track have the opportunity to work on local/global projects throughout the three years. This is required component of the track. International elective opportunities are available in the PGY-3 year. Options include Bogota, Dominican Republic (DR), and possibly other sites that the university develops parnerships with. It is vital to understand that international learning opportunities are often dependent on the prevailing geo-political situation and the ability to travel and work safely. They do present wonderful learning experiences and we work hard to provide these opportunities for our trainees whnever possible.

Comment from our DR faculty preceptor

"One thing residents get out of this experience is realizing the horrific struggles that patients face when they lack a social and medical support system; but also realize that they can make a true impact" For example we spent the greater part of one day synchronizing the care for one of our cystic fibrosis patients with one of our pulmonologists in Jacksonville, something that this child would otherwise never have had access to".

Resident testimonials

"The DR trip was amazing. I had an amazing time with Dr Beverly and staff, everyone was awesome and so supportive. I hope in the future I can keep contributing to this cause. I am amazed with all the good impact they can do in those communities they visit".

"Overall unforgettable and impactful experience that I highly recommend because of its pathology exposure, humanitarian fulfillment and highly experienced staff. The trip was well organized, safe, cost effective, and provided a foundational learning experience of resource-poor medicine and a great way to make a huge impact on a community".

In 2025, we also had the opportunity to send one of our residents on the GH track to Mexico, through an institutional partnership developed by the University. We hope to be able to offer this opportunity to other residents as well in the future.

"The trip to Mexico was such a wonderful and life changing experience"

Our Wellness Program

There has been increasing recognition of physician burnout by the ACGME and the important of wellness and development of resilience among physicians. Our program has developed multiple wellness initiatives aimed at ensuring we are helping our residents cope with and prevent burnout early in their training. Our approach to wellness is holistic and we believe that wellness should be incorporated into our daily lives as a routine. We offer monthly wellness sessions where residents discuss different aspects of physician burnout such as dealing with stressful times, end of life events, building resilience during residency and coping with other stressors (such as financial concerns). These discussions are often facilitated by dedicated faculty. They may also use this time for other wellness activities such as a nature walk on our grounds.

Class retreats and team building activities, Halloween pumpkin carving contest, holiday party, birthday recognition, participation in community events are also part of our wellness initiatives. We have a big-brother/big-sister mentor program to help incoming interns settle into residency with ample guidance and as little stress as possible. In addition, the program organizes and supports multiple social and cultural events throughout the year. We also give residents an extra day off in lieu of their birthday either during that same day/month or whenever possible.