The Core Pediatric Clerkship is an eight-week clinical rotation designed to provide junior and senior medical students with a comprehensive introduction to the care of infants, children, and adolescents.
This clerkship aims to:
- Inspire students to pursue careers focused on the health and well-being of children
- Build a strong foundation for those planning advanced training in pediatrics
- Equip future non-pediatric specialists with essential knowledge in pediatric care
- Foster the continued development of professionalism, compassion, and ethical practice
The curriculum is based on national standards established by the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP). Through a combination of clinical and didactic experiences, students gain exposure to both common and complex pediatric conditions.
During the rotation, students participate in a variety of settings, including general and specialty outpatient clinics, inpatient pediatric services, well-baby nurseries, and neonatal intensive care units.
A central focus of the clerkship is developing clinical competence in pediatric care. Students learn to obtain age-appropriate histories, perform physical examinations across all stages of childhood, and formulate thoughtful differential diagnoses.
Education Philosophy and Goals
Successful completion of the Core Pediatric Clerkship—like all clinical rotations—requires students to balance hands-on patient care with independent study. While actively caring for individual patients, students are also expected to develop a broader understanding of pediatric conditions they may not directly encounter during the eight-week experience.
By the end of the clerkship, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an increased interest in careers involving the care of newborns, children, and adolescents
- Build a strong foundation for further training in pediatric medicine
- Apply essential pediatric knowledge relevant to physicians in all specialties
- Exhibit the professional attitudes and values necessary for high-quality patient care
Samir El-Dahr, MD - Pediatrics Chairman
Margee Huntwork, MD, MSEd - Director of Pediatric Medical Student Education
Stephen Weimer, MD - Associate Director of Pediatric Medical Student Education (Senior Electives and Sub Internships)
Lauren Rossi - Student Clerkship Coordinator
Hannah O'Kelley - Senior Elective and Sub Internships Coordinator
Students learn from faculty members at several core facilites throughout southern Louisiana.
Manning Family Children's- Margee Huntwork, MD, MSEd, Director
Ochsner Medical Center - Diego Lara, MD, Director
Our Lady of the Lake - Baton Rouge - Roberta Vicari, MD - Director
Willis Knighton Medical Center - Shreveport
For questions specific to the Pediatrics Student Clerkship Program:
Lauren Rossi
Tulane Pediatrics
Student Clerkship Manager
Phone: 504-988-3161
lrossi@tulane.edu
For questions specific to the Tulane University Medical School and Admissions:
Tulane University School of Medicine Admissions
1430 Tulane Ave.
Mail Code #8010
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-988-5331
