Why choose us

Welcome to the Florida State University College of Medicine Pediatric Residency Program at Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

There are so many great reasons you should consider our program. First and foremost is the diverse patient population we take care of in our hospital, the Studer Family Children’s Hospital. As the only Children’s Hospital in the Florida panhandle, we serve a wide catchment area that provides our residents a broad clinic experience of uncommon as well as common pediatric cases. Our hospital has excellent nursing staff, case managers, child life specialists, and respiratory therapists that enhance our residents’ learning experience. And our hospital therapy dogs enhance the healing experience for both patients and staff. The outpatient clinic where our residents see patients gives them the opportunity to serve a vulnerable, underserved population that are deserving of the best of care.   

Our program size and inclusive culture has truly created a family-like atmosphere. Our residents get to know each other well and are a close knit, supportive group. Our residents also have a close working relationship with their attendings they work directly with as we don’t have fellows in our hospital.  

We provide ample opportunity for our residents to engage in scholarly activity with guidance from our residency research director. They produce QI studies, clinical research papers, and case presentations. Every year multiple residents present research at national meetings.  

Pensacola is a great place to live! The city and surrounding area is a safe, quiet, and affordable place to live. There is always some kind of festival or other fun activity to enjoy. And there are countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, the best of which is our beautiful, white sandy beaches that are only 15 minutes from the hospital!

About the Program

The pediatric residency program at Ascension Sacred Heart was founded in 1969 based on a deep commitment to serve all children, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable.  

Our program is dedicated to helping each resident recognize their full academic, clinical, and personal potential within an intellectually stimulating and emotionally supportive environment. Upon successful completion of the training program, the resident will be fully prepared for the general practice of pediatrics and if desired, further training in a subspecialty discipline.  

Our program has a strong emphasis on primary care and ambulatory medicine. The ambulatory experience includes a weekly continuity clinic and a busy primary care clinic, as well as pediatric emergency medicine and acute care rotations. Additional pediatric outpatient rotations include adolescent medicine and behavioral and developmental medicine. Inpatient rotations include the newborn nursery, neonatal intensive care nursery, pediatric intensive care unit, and pediatric medical-surgical unit. Our simulation and mock code curriculum allows residents to become comfortable with emergent patient scenarios as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a supportive learning environment.   

Elective rotations allow pediatric residents to develop their own individual areas of interest. Our subspecialist physicians are always available to discuss patients and answer questions, either in person or by phone. We believe this type of interaction is a distinct advantage. Because there are no fellows to compete with, as a resident, you will have direct contact with the subspecialists, and all teaching comes directly from attending physicians and senior residents. Our residents are also an integral part of our lecture schedule, which encompasses all objectives outlined by the American Board of Pediatrics.

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