Inpatient Services Curriculum | Pediatric Residency Program | Academic Programs | Department of Pediatrics | UC Davis Health

Inpatient Services

Children's Hospital

UC Davis Children's Hospital is the major tertiary referral center for a large geographic area covering over 65,000 miles and 33 counties that includes most of Northern California, Western Nevada, and Southern Oregon.

Residents are exposed to diverse patient problems ranging from common pediatric disorders, such as diarrhea and dehydration or respiratory illnesses, to complex problems requiring tertiary care management.

Pediatric Hospital Medicine Teams

Coverage for all general pediatric ward patients is divided between two teams, each consisting of two PGY-1 residents and one PGY-2 or PGY-3 resident. First year residents are responsible for the initial patient work-up, daily patient care, and writing all orders. Each team is supervised by a PGY-2 or PGY-3 resident and a pediatric hospitalist attending. Pediatric hospitalists are available 24/7 in-house on the wards to teach residents, balancing resident autonomy and appropriate supervision to allow residents graduated responsibility to develop a safe plan for patients using evidence-based medicine.

Hematology-Oncology Team

Patients with cancer and blood disorders are admitted to a separate Hematology/Oncology service consisting of one PGY-1, one PGY-2 resident, and a pediatric Hematology-Oncology attending.

Gastroenterology/Nephrology Team

Patients with primary gastrointestinal or renal issues are admitted to the GI-Nephro service, which is managed by one PGY-1, one PGY-3 resident, a pediatric gastroenterologist faculty and a pediatric nephrologist faculty.

Resident Support Services

Resident autonomy is encouraged and only residents may write orders on patients (except chemotherapy orders on the oncology service). The senior resident is responsible for leading morning work rounds and supervising PGY-1 residents and medical students. The faculty attending, and subspecialty attending(s) if appropriate, supervise the ward teams. Residents also work closely with a dedicated nursing staff, as well as pharmacists, respiratory therapists, physical/ occupational/ speech therapists, nutritionists, social workers, care coordinators, interpreters, and a very active child life program.

Seven residents pose for photo dressed in Halloween costumes.
Residents pose in emergency yellow gowns in hospital hallway.
Eleven residents pose for photo with bow ties on in hospital hallway.
Unit Rotations
  • Doctors and residents discuss pediatric medicine in normal newborn nursery.

    Normal Newborn Nursery

    The Newborn Nursery averages 200 admissions per month and provides residents with an opportunity to manage the common problems of normal newborns. General pediatric faculty with expertise in newborn care, development, psychosocial assessments and nutrition provide supervision. UC Davis is a baby-friendly hospital and all residents receive education on breastfeeding.

  • Two NICU residents fill out charts in hospital hallway.

    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

    The UC Davis Children’s Hospital 49-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the region's only nationally ranked Level 4 nursery, and cares for infants from throughout Northern California. The NICU averages more than 500 admissions per year. In the NICU, residents have the opportunity to care for critically ill neonates under the close supervision of NICU attendings and fellows, and learn to perform procedures that include placing umbilical lines, neonatal intubation, and circumcision.

  • Mom holds baby in PICU while doctor examines baby.

    Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

    The UC Davis Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Cardiac Intensive Care Units average more than 1,500 admissions per year. UC Davis is the only Level 1 trauma center in the region and only center in the region offering extra-corporeal life support (ECLS). In the PICU, residents have the opportunity to care for critically ill children under the close supervision of PICU attendings, who are available 24/7 in-house in the PICU.

Seniors jumping picture
How to Reach Us

Contact Information

Residency Training Program
Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Health
2516 Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95817

Phone: 916-734-2428
Email: HS-pedsresidency@ucdavis.edu