"Looking back on my time in the pediatric residency program, I feel incredibly grateful for the wonderful experiences and opportunities I’ve had. The support from the faculty and fellow residents has been amazing, helping us grow in areas we are passionate about, such as QI, clinical research, and education. Their guidance and mentorship were key to our development, and I matched into a top-tier pediatric intensive care program, along with many of my classmates who also matched into their first-choice fellowship programs at fantastic institutions, showing how well this program prepares us for our careers."

"One of the best aspects of this residency program is its ability to prepare us thoroughly for both primary care and further specialization. My peers entering primary care feel exceptionally well-prepared to practice independently, while those of us pursuing fellowships have received comprehensive training in our areas of interest. As we progress in the program, we are given increasing autonomy, which helps us grow into confident and capable physicians. Another unique opportunity we've had is the 24-hour shifts. Although often seen as challenging, these shifts have been beneficial for continuity of care, allowing us to follow up on patient progress in depth. This experience is invaluable, as many fellowships require similar on-call commitments, giving us a significant head start."

"The diversity in the program has also been a highlight. Working with colleagues from all over the world has enriched my training, bringing different perspectives and expertise, especially about diseases that are rare here. These connections created a truly collaborative environment."

"With the program’s support, I’ve been able to achieve a lot, including multiple publications in high-impact journals and building connections with PICU professionals across the United States. Presenting my research and winning awards at various conferences has been incredibly rewarding. These achievements required dedication and hard work, but if you have those qualities, the program supports you every step of the way."

"Overall, the program’s supportive environment, comprehensive training, and emphasis on diversity have equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career. I highly recommend this program to medical students interested in pediatric residency. The opportunities for personal and professional growth are immense, and I’m confident that future residents will benefit just as much as I have."

"While I was in the middle of nowhere in South Carolina during my clerkship rotations during third and fourth year of medical school, all I could think about was returning home to Orlando, FL for residency. I wanted to live again in a place where I could drive and see my family while working long hours in a residency program. Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the people and the program at Jacksonville. I did a sub-internship rotation in the NICU of the UF Health Shands Hospital, Jacksonville, along with a first, second- and third-year resident from the UFJax Pediatrics program. I have to say that rotation was one of my most fun from all fourth year and quickly changed my mind as to where I would like to do my pediatric residency."

"I was ecstatic when I finally received the news in the match and found that I would be training in Jacksonville. I felt like I would be home with no better family members. From the faculty in the clinics and hospitals, to the administrators and staff members along with all my co-residents, they all made me feel confident."

"Looking back at my three years in the program, I can say I have grown, in a great way, learnt so much from great pediatricians and found my passion for advocacy and global health. If you have any thoughts, any ideas that you want to work on for quality improvement or research during your residency program, just come to Jacksonville and along with Dr. Mirza and all the great faculty members helping her shape the residents, your world will be your oyster. They supported all my ideas, even when they had limited knowledge on the subject matter and I was able to complete projects while still performing my duties as a resident, and even more complicated, while I was a chief resident during third year. I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Colombia as part of my global health track and there was no better experience during training than to apply what you have learned so far and to learn from a different group of excellent physicians in a health care facility with different challenges than what you have learned to encounter."

"This program helped shape me into a better teacher and leader, which undoubtedly when you are in the field as a doctor you would have to learn those qualities. As mentioned by previous colleagues, you find yourself learning quickly how to adapt to different environments of work since you have the opportunity to rotate through different hospitals and clinics and learn different EMR systems, although now they have all transitioned to the same. Because of the location of Jacksonville, you will see many disease processes that in other parts of the country many experienced physicians have never even seen. This program offers unique opportunities that I was so happy to enjoy, and I do not say this lightly when I say I would not be in the position I am today if it was not for this program and the support we all received, especially from the program director. I feel very honored to have graduated from UF Jacksonville and if I was given the choice to choose a program again, I would not hesitate to come to Jacksonville again."

Dr. Colon-Gomez will be pursuing a pediatric pulmonology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine after taking a gap year following residency.

"Looking back at my three years of training it’s hard to believe how much I actually learned and how much I grew as a physician. First year I spent learning the foundations of clinical practice and solidifying the skills I learned in medical school. From asking my senior resident what the dose of clindamycin was 30 times till I finally remembered to developing the skills to resuscitate a newborn and saving my first life. Second year was spent delving deeper into each subspecialty and learning to be a senior resident and by third year it all came together. In third year I found myself running a hospitalist team, a NICU team, and a PICU team; taking calls from rural emergency medicine physicians helping them treat and transport patients; teaching medical students and interns; and counseling patients and families; all with minimal oversight from attendings, though they were always present and able step in when I found myself over my head. I believe the training I received at the University of Florida Jacksonville was second to none and prepared me well for fellowship in pediatric hematology / oncology and would have prepared me well for any field of my choice."

"I believe the mid-size nature of our program is what allowed this to happen. As a resident, you get to know every attending in the hospital and they get to know you. They trust you as they work with you and give you more and more autonomy as you grow. There are very few fellows to report to and none to compete with when it comes to procedures. All of this makes for an excellent training environment and the University of Florida Jacksonville is definitely a program I would recommend to medical students pursuing a career in pediatrics."

"As I reflect on my residency experience at the University of Florida Jacksonville, I could not imagine going to any other pediatrics program. I couples-matched into residency and interviewed at a number of programs of various sizes, all over the country."

"The program at University of Florida Jacksonville had everything that I was looking for in a residency. It started with the people. There was a strong sense of family throughout the program from all the residents, attendings, and administration. I felt like I got to know all my co-residents and attendings much better because it was a mid-size program."

"The benefits of being a mid-sized program extended in the learning opportunities that were present. The University of Florida Jacksonville residency program is nestled right in the middle of a unique situation in which three different institutions (Wolfson Children’s Hospital, UF Health Jacksonville, and Nemours Health Clinics) come together to provide pediatric care to the children of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. This not only gave me the opportunity to diversify my education by seeing different patient populations, but also allowed me to learn from professionals of different backgrounds."

"The program also provided me the opportunities to pursue my career goals in pediatric cardiology. Coming into residency, I knew that I wanted to become a pediatric cardiologist. Through the opportunities that I was presented during residency, I was able to become involved in quality improvement, research, and multiple case reports that were presented at regional, national, and international conferences. This allowed me to start networking even prior to my application process. I ended up matching at my number one fellowship program."

"I would not be in the position I am today without the support that I received from the program. The track record that the current and past residents have shown especially over the last five years in terms of board pass rate, fellowship matches, and job placement is impressive and on par with any other institution in the country. I am proud to have graduated from the University of Florida Jacksonville pediatric residency program and would highly recommend it to applicants who have high career aspirations, a strong work ethic, and who want to make a difference in the lives of children."

"Going through my residency program at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville gave me many mentors. Looking back, I consider that to be one of the most important parts of my experience. There were several attending physicians I looked up to personally and professionally, who helped me learn and also supported my growth as a pediatrician."

"In addition, the range of pathology and variety of patients I saw in Jacksonville was unmatched. Now that I am in private practice, I am even more thankful for my training, as it is only rarely that I see something that I had not encountered in residency."

"Before beginning my residency program, I completed two rotations as a medical student at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville. I loved my time during these rotations, so when I started residency interviews, my gut told me UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville's program was the program for me. Although there were many places I initially considered, I have not regretted my decision for a moment."

"The people are the main asset of the residency program. Everyone from program administration, faculty and all the residents formed one large family. I always felt supported. Resident wellness was a priority, as was a healthy work-life balance."

"There was a progressive and expected autonomy for senior residents that allowed us to gain confidence and experience. I valued the combination of training at a full-service, free-standing children’s hospital and a university hospital in an urban core. This exposure allowed for a diverse pathology base, ranging from mild conditions to complex and rare diseases."

"Research was also fully supported by both the program and the hospital leadership. I was given opportunities and funding for presenting at important national conferences."

"Finally, Jacksonville is a great place to live. It is a thriving city with a plethora of food and entertainment options while also providing a small-town feel."

"Although Colombia is a country with excellent physicians, modern health care facilities (limited to the larger cities) and a medical system that allows for health care for even its most destitute children, it is challenged by 30-plus years of armed conflict and remote regions that make travel difficult, if not almost impossible. After my two-week international rotation in Bogotá, I returned to Florida with lots to ponder and a greater appreciation for the physicians working in tropical environments."

"I hope to practice in the far reaches of the tropical world. But even for those of us who continue to work in Jacksonville and elsewhere in the United States, there is much to be learned from our Colombian colleagues. Although our large refugee population in Jacksonville has already forced us to work through larger lists of differential diagnoses, the new tropical diseases that will come with the changing climate will require us to rely more on the knowledge and experience of some of our physician counterparts from other countries."

"How do you measure your success in a pediatric residency? Sure, you will discover how you want to practice medicine, learn what you need for the boards and — finally — get to be a real doctor. What if residency could be more than that? Somewhere during the middle of interviewing season, a yearning for a training home that would care about my growth and well-being trumped the organized scoring system devised to rank programs. I was told, like many others, to follow my gut when making my ranking list. Once I found UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, I understood that advice."

"I'm forever grateful to the down-to-earth mentors and lifelong friends I made in Jacksonville. While I found the clinical work rewarding and the camaraderie supportive, the communities I melted into at the local neighborhood garden, weekend farmer’s market, and mom and pop eateries gave me a sense of belonging outside the hospital. What truly made my pediatric residency successful was not the titles, publications, or university name on my white coat — it was the human connections. It takes a culture of humble participants willing to engage to make that possible. These are the memories I keep with me."

"I had such a wonderful experience in the pediatric residency program at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. The program not only enriched my knowledge and skills to take care of children, but also offered me great opportunities for research and scholarly activities. With the support and mentorship of the prominent researchers and investigators in the program, I was able to publish several projects and present them in local and national conferences."

"The program appreciates the importance of the well-being of its residents and puts it as a priority. I was very satisfied with the degree of responsiveness and flexibility when it comes to residents’ needs and suggestions. Our faculty members are constantly working hard to create an enjoyable learning environment for us. There is a formal, dedicated time for education daily, in addition to lots of teaching opportunities in rounds and morning reports. The program provides career guidance and different tracks tailored to fit any post-residency plan."

"These were three enjoyable years of my life. I was also able to start a family and have kids with an appropriate work-life balance. I got to know and learn from great people, who I will definitely keep as mentors and colleagues. Thanks to them, I was prepared to pursue the next phase of my career as a pediatric cardiologist."

"Coming out of medical school, I knew I wanted to train at a freestanding children's hospital. Most everyone in pediatrics tend to be pleasant but what set this program apart from others were the people. The attendings, staff and especially the residents just seemed to be on another level in terms of being friendly, outgoing and supportive."

"My experiences here were enriching: I saw a huge variety of patients from the perfectly healthy kid with worried parents to the critically ill that required interventions every hour. I was also able to participate in multiple research studies and presented my work at regional and national conferences. Balancing clinical and research responsibilities was hard work; but the seamless transition I had in moving on to a top-ranked cardiology fellowship was proof of the excellent training I had in Jacksonville."

"I stepped out of residency and immediately into a job where I work as a lone pediatric hospitalist in a small community, with no subspecialty support and no NICU or PICU in the entire state. Needless to say, I was very intimidated, but I realized quickly that the exceptional training I received in residency had prepared me adequately for the challenge. I am very grateful for my three years in Jax! Not only did I get to train under incredibly gifted and skilled pediatricians who were passionate about teaching, but I also gained a family, and the friendships I made will last a lifetime. I cannot adequately express how thankful I am for the opportunity I had to train at UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, nor could I properly articulate my gratitude for all that my former attendings invested in me during my time in residency."

"University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville Pediatric Residency Program was my last interview as a fourth-year medical student, and became my first choice by the end of the day."

"I was initially attracted to the combination of training at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, UF Health and Nemours Health, because I felt this would teach me to be flexible from the very start of my pediatric career. My expectations were definitely met and in most cases surpassed. Different systems came with different resources, challenges, teaching styles, and learning opportunities. The exposure to pediatric pathologies was broad and consistent, but just as important was the exposure experiences that taught me how to navigate the health care system."

"As a graduate of this program, I felt very well-trained in hospital-based pediatrics and the societal impact that I can have as a pediatrician. The outpatient clinical experience was the only noticeable weakness I can appreciate after 2 years of completing my residency training. However, the emphasis my faculty placed on being a life-long learner has helped me significantly in addressing the gaps I could not fill during my formal training time."

"My happy memories at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville pediatric residency program started almost one year before my residency started. During my sub-internship I fell in the love with the program. I was amazed by the camaraderie among residents and faculty, strong didactics, learning opportunities, and infrastructure. Not to mention a good and affordable city to live in, with beaches and nice weather. It was clear to me that finding a program I liked better was a difficult task. Despite that, I embarked on a plethora of interviews just to prove myself right."

"I continue to have fond memories of my residency training. I received a strong background not only academically, but also in overall patient care, compassion, bedside manners, team work, among other things. The examples set by the faculty and my senior residents were exceptional. It is a nurturing environment, yet residents are given a reasonable amount of autonomy. Overall I believe you will receive an excellent training. Just embark in this new journey with energy and a good disposition, after all you will be doing something you love and there will always be a child to make you smile."

"In a nutshell, I have no regrets and would do it all over again."

"My training in Jacksonville was superb. I chose UF because of the diverse faculty and exposure to a variety of pediatric pathology. Upon entering my residency, I was unsure of whether or not I would subspecialize or practice general pediatrics. I wanted a program that would prepare me for both, and expose me to all of the pediatric subspecialties. I am grateful for the outstanding training I received and felt confident applying for, and ultimately entering, my pediatric emergency medicine fellowship."

"If I had to do a residency all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. My pediatric residency was like being a part of a family. My classmates and I bonded over our three years of training and still keep in touch."

"UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville offers a diverse population with great pathology encountered. All pediatric subspecialties are available for consulting and to learn from. The two hospitals provide two different perspectives in patient resources and health care secondary to varying socio economic status. Great opportunity for research or community initiative ingrained within your three years, encouraged to attend national conferences."

"I fell in love with the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville pediatric residency program during my 4th year medical school outpatient clinic rotation. I was lucky to have a third-year senior resident on rotation with me and learned so much from her and my attending about the beautiful and tight-knit residency family this program fosters. Then I had my socks knocked off during my interview and tour seeing the gorgeous hospital and clinical locations I would be working with."

"I began residency in the precarious position of just having had my first baby 3 weeks prior. Juggling my new duties as a mom as well as learning the proverbial ropes of intern year would have been much more overwhelming had it not been for the love, support, mentorship, and friendship I quickly found in Jacksonville with my attendings and co-residents. This is a place to grow and spread your wings into the budding pediatrician you have hoped of becoming. "

"With advancing clinical years came more autonomy and complexity of patients. This program is a wonderful place for autonomy as a senior and my favorite time during residency included my overnight shifts covering subspecialty services as well as the overnight senior admitting children from throughout southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. Our program has an excellent breadth of diversity and volume in patients as well as depth in complexity and pathology. I loved the challenge of caring for NICU, PICU, and CVICU patients along with a robust newborn nursery at UF Health Jacksonville. I loved my time here at the program and will forever be grateful for the love, support, and mentorship I have received. "