Medical Students

The Department of Pediatrics is eager to provide a stimulating educational environment in which medical students can acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes important in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The Department places the highest priority on your education and our faculty and residents are ready to facilitate this education journey. We encourage each medical student to possess an eagerness to learn, challenge their ability to teach themselves and others, and learn to appreciate the special nature of children and their health!

Preclinical

Pediatric pre-clinical clerkships are designed to provide medical students with learning specific to Pediatric clinical care. In addition to workshops and didactic experiences, the curriculum also provides first and second year students invaluable opportunities to leave the classroom behind and further explore and hone their skills in the clinical setting.

Third Year

During the clinical clerkships, medical students become integral members of the medical team and have direct, supervised responsibility for assigned patients. 

Fourth Year

In fourth year clinical clerkship, also known as “Sub-internship” medical students work as advanced team members and assume greater responsibility in the care of their patients.

Electives

Pediatric electives, available for 3rd or 4th year medical students, offer an opportunity to expand the clinical skill set and knowledge of students interested in pediatric or related careers. Students will take a deeper dive into pediatric subspecialities or pediatric-related experiences.

Resources

Preclinical Clerkship

The Department of Pediatrics hosts multiple students for each of the three preceptorships which comprise the preclinical Introduction to Clinical Practice (ICP) course.  The ICP course provides first and second year students invaluable opportunities to leave the classroom behind and further explore and hone their skills in the clinical setting. These experiences not only help students connect basic science knowledge to clinical decision making for pediatric patients, but they also aid students in career exploration and seeking out mentors within the Department. The ICP course also includes workshops and didactic learning specific to Pediatric clinical care.  

Preparation Materials

• Introduction to Clinical Practice 1A
• Introduction to Clinical Practice 1B
• Introduction to Clinical Practice 2

Third Year Pediatric Clerkship

During your 3rd year Pediatric Clerkship, the door will be opened to a unique and exciting part of your medical education. We are eager to provide a stimulating educational environment in which you can acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes important in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The Department of Pediatrics places the highest priority on your education. We hope you will display an eagerness to learn, ability to teach yourself and others, and appreciate the special nature of children and their health problems.

Evaluation Forms

• Medical Student Competency Evaluation Form
• Mini-CEX (Witness H&P) Evaluation Form
• Emergency Department Evaluation Form
  • Gainesville
  • Jacksonville
• Safety Presentation Evaluation Form

Fourth Year Pediatric Clerkship (Sub-Intership)

The Department of Pediatrics is thrilled by your choice of sub-internship. During the next four weeks, our goal is to ensure your experience in our department is both challenging and educationally rewarding. Your goal as a sub-intern is to function like an intern! You’ll be assigned patients, will follow the resident schedule and are required to attend the same lectures including morning reports, Tuesday afternoon conferences, and grand rounds. The one (major) difference is your orders will have to be co-signed. 

Pediatric Electives

Recognition for Teaching Excellence in Medical Student Education

 Excellence in Medical Student Education 

The Excellence in Medical Student Education Award is given annually to recognize faculty, fellows and residents for their commitment, dedication, and most importantly, excellence in medical student education during each academic year.  

Golden Apple Award in Clinical Science 

The Golden Apple Award in Clinical Science award is an annual award given by the graduating medical student class to the most outstanding clinical clerkship. This award recognizes superior teaching in a clinical science course and a genuine concern in the development of the young physician.  

• Pediatrics – 2024, 2018, 2016, 2015

Kenneth Kellner, MD Clerkship Director of the Year 

The Kenneth Kellner Award was created in 2012 to recognize a clerkship director annually who shares the enthusiasm of inspiring medical students as Dr. Kellner did. This award is selected by the Clerkship Director Committee. These clerkship directors have distinguished themselves by being outstanding teachers, advisors, and role models for medical students. 

• Maria Kelly, MD – 2019, 2015
• Frank Genuardi, MD, MPH – 2012

Clinical Teacher of the Year  

The Clinical Teacher of the Year award is an annual award given by the graduating medical student class to the most outstanding clinical educator in the College or Medicine. This award recognizes superior clinical teaching in a faculty member at the University of Florida. 

• Donald E. Knickerbocker, MD – 2015 
• Maureen Novak, MD – 2007

Resident Teacher of the Year 

The Resident Teacher of the Year award is an annual award given to one resident by Pediatric Educational Leadership to the most outstanding resident educator in the Department of Pediatrics. This award recognizes superior clinical teaching and excellence in medical student evaluations. 

• Joie Cavazos, MD- 2021
• Maria Nader, MD – 2020
• Zach Gohsman, MD – 2019
• Thomas Pittman, MD – 2018
• Nancy Joseph, MD – 2017
• Maneesha Tailor, MD – 2016
• Daphna Barbeau, MD – 2015
• Diana Montoya-Williams, MD – 2015

Sustained Excellence in Medical Education Award

• Maureen Novak, MD – 2016

The Society of Teaching Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award

• Elisa Zenni, MD – 2022
• Maureen Novak, MD – 2021
• Donald Eiztman, MD – 2011