“The Department of Pediatrics of the University of Wisconsin shall be a group of individuals who share the common goal of promoting the health of children. A diversity of interest is appropriate and must be maintained.” We further define our mission as having “a balanced program of education, research and service.”
The Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (GPAM), within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin, supports excellence within the three major elements of the department’s mission. In addition, we endorse the concept of ongoing faculty development.
Patient care will be provided 24 hours a day for every day of the year. GPAM health care providers will work with medical and nursing students and residents in the provision of health care. Health care will occur in a number of settings, including the emergency department, inpatient wards and outpatient clinics. Cooperation and coordination with community agencies will be valued in our efforts to provide comprehensive care to our patients.
Teaching will be facilitated by ongoing, scheduled interaction with medical and nursing students and residents both in block rotations and through weekly resident continuity clinics. Modes of teaching will include a balance of “one-on-one with a patient”, didactic presentations to groups of trainees and more informal discussions with small groups of trainees. When possible, teaching will be “driven” or guided by specific objectives (eg in Primary Care Training Grant).
Research will be fostered by scheduled, frequent collegial gatherings to discuss work in progress as well as results of faculty research projects. In the same spirit, collaboration in research projects within and outside the department will be supported. Scientific and workshop presentations at regional and national meetings will be supported, encouraged and admired. Efforts to secure intramural and extramural support for research projects will be encouraged.
Faculty development will be accomplished through:
- weekly scheduled “discretionary/academic” time free of patient care responsibilities. This time will be used to develop curricula, conduct research projects and read the medical literature;
- regular attendance at didactic conferences (eg Pediatric Grand Rounds); and
- time and financial support to attend relevant regional or national meetings.