Resident Life

In the Department of Pediatrics at IU School of Medicine, supporting a healthy work/life balance for residents is a priority. The department strives to support resident wellness through a number of avenues including annual retreats, program-sponsored social events, faculty mentorship and much more. This medium-sized program includes residents that treat one another like friends and family. Indianapolis has the best of both worlds being a world-class city with a smaller-town feel that is both accessible and affordable.

Resident Wellness

Our program is deeply committed to supporting resident wellness through both structured initiatives and meaningful community-building. Residents benefit from protected wellness half-days during inpatient rotations, a resident-led Wellness Committee and dedicated monthly peer support sessions that foster connection and reflection.

Each residency class is also given protected time for an annual off-site retreat which provides an opportunity to step away from clinical responsibilities, recharge and strengthen relationships in a relaxed setting.

Each year, the incoming interns are paired with upper level residents based on interests to help support the transition into residency.

Beyond the hospital, residents regularly connect through a wide range of social activities, including weekly trivia, bouldering, dog park meetups, recreational sports teams and more. These experiences create a supportive, collaborative environment where residents can thrive both personally and professionally.

a large group of residents on a hike with cloudy blue sky overhead

Social Events

Pediatric residents have many opportunities to enjoy time together outside of the hospital. The resident-led Social Committee organizes a monthly “Riley Rounds,” where residents gather at a local restaurant, brewery, park or even baseball game to enjoy food and drinks sponsored by the program. The committee also hosts an annual Intern Welcome Party where our incoming interns have the opportunity to get to know the upper level residents before the start of the new academic year. The annual holiday party is also a highlight for our residents. Fellows and attendings help cover the wards so that all residents can gather together to celebrate the holidays!

Residents at Peds Holiday Party PGY2s 2023 - 2024

Life in Indianapolis

Residents gathered in front of fountain

Ranked nationally for its livability, Indianapolis is a fantastic city to explore and enjoy, and its remarkably low cost of living offers our residents and their families endless opportunities to do just that. Foodies and craft beer connoisseurs find themselves overwhelmed with thriving restaurant and craft beer scenes. Sports fanatics can experience the largest single-day sporting event in the world at the Indy 500 or take in the atmosphere while cheering on any one of many our professional sports teams, from the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, to Indy Eleven soccer games, minor league baseball and hockey games. When it comes to music, Indy draws everything from national headliners to local indie acts. The city also offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, from enjoying any of our many running and biking trails to kayaking at Eagle Creek Park to making the short trip to nearby Brown County to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The options for family fun include visiting the largest children’s museum in the world to enjoying a walk on Indy’s beautiful cultural trail or exploring any one of the city’s beautiful parks.

Explore the Indianapolis campus