General Pediatrics/Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Program Overview

The combined program is a five-year residency offered by Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware.

As a resident in this program, you'll spend the first year in pediatrics as an intern doing all the same rotations as the categorical pediatric residents, with the exception of one month of pediatric rehabilitation. The next two years are divided evenly between the programs, and in years four and five there is progressively more rehabilitation medicine and less pediatrics. 

During the program, you can expect to:

  • Begin pediatric rehabilitation training in your first year.
  • After your first year, alternate between the continuity clinic (a primary pediatrics office run by residents and supervised by attending) and follow-up practice for children who were discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit.
  • Continue pediatrics through the beginning of your fifth year to keep up your skills.
  • Be eligible to sit for the American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation examinations after completing residency.
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Program Components

Pediatrics
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, an operating entity of the Nemours Foundation, serves as the primary teaching hospital for the pediatric residency program. The hospital has a full-time and community-based faculty of 465, consisting of general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists representing all disciplines. The residency program emphasizes balance, diversity and flexibility. It is designed to provide the resident with exposure to a wide variety of pediatric pathology and patient care environments including urban, suburban and rural pediatric populations.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Medicine Residency Program at Thomas Jefferson University is to prepare physicians to excel in all aspects of the field. The faculty, in conjunction with the residents, have designed a program that exposes the physiatrist-in-training to broad and varied learning experiences, a diverse patient population, and state-of-the-art treatments in all aspects of the specialty. The individual teaching between nationally and internationally known attendings and resident physicians is considered one of the most differentiating features of the program.

The Combined Program
This unique residency program provides residents with the knowledge and skills to provide proactive medical management to pediatric patients with disabilities. Established in 1996, this combined program encourages residents to take advantage of the extensive resources and learning opportunities available within both residency training programs. Upon completion, residents are triple-board eligible (General Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Pediatric Rehabilitation).


Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

PPM&R Outpatient Clinics

  • Amputee
  • Baclofen pump
  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic musculoskeletal pain
  • Concussion
  • Feeding
  • Lymphedema
  • Neuromuscular
  • NICU follow-up
  • Seating
  • Spasticity
  • Stroke
  • Special babies
  • Spinal cord injury/spinal dysfunction
  • Traumatic brain injury

Pediatric Rehabilitation Disciplines

  • Academic therapy
  • Adaptive seating
  • Aquatics
  • Augmentative communication
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Orthotics & prosthetics
  • Neuropsychology
  • Physical therapy
  • Psychology
  • Rehabilitation nursing
  • Speech therapy
  • Social work
  • Therapeutic recreation

Unique Features

  • Extensive training at nationally renowned Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
  • Ongoing robotic and orthotic research
  • State-of-the-art gait lab
  • East coast referral center for ventilator dependent quadriplegics
  • On-site orthotics
  • Full-time rehabilitation engineer
  • Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Program (CORP) which allows patients to continue with a full rehabilitation program as an outpatient

Accreditations

Nemours has been consistently accredited by CARF International (the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) since 1989 for its comprehensive inpatient and interdisciplinary outpatient programs.

Jefferson is a Regional SCI Center and is also CARF-accredited for medical rehabilitation and stroke.

Magee is CARF-accredited for its medical rehabilitation programs in comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke.

Other Links

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital PPM&R Residency Site

 

Salary & Benefits

House Staff Salaries

Effective: July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021

  • PL1: $60,785
  • PL2: $62,776
  • PL3: $65,413
  • PL4: $68,547
  • PL5: $71,317

Educational allowances may be used for books, work-related clothing, computer equipment, travel and board exams. PL3 allowances may be deferred to PL4 or PL5 years to assist with board exam expenses.

Stipends

  • PL1: $1,000
  • PL2: $1,750
  • PL3: $2,250

Meals

Lunch is provided free of charge each day at conference. A free meal plan is offered while you are on call, and a monthly stipend is given for meals.


Other Benefits

  • Parking at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and Christiana Care is free. Parking at Jefferson is discounted.
  • On-site gym, open 24 hrs, 7 days a week. A personal trainer is also available.

View Contract & Medical Benefits Information  

About Our Hospital in Delaware

The Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware is a multispecialty, tertiary care teaching institution located on a 300-acre estate in the scenic Brandywine Valley in Wilmington, Del.

Among the hospital’s amenities for all staff are:

  • Free parking
  • Park-like setting
  • Gym/fitness center
  • On-site child care center for children of staff

Living in Delaware Valley

Because of our location in the tri-state area of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we offer unique living/working opportunities. For example, you can choose to live in the downtown Philadelphia area and easily commute to our park-like hospital campus in Wilmington.

Explore Wilmington

Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware is located in Wilmington, Del., about 30 minutes from center city Philadelphia, and an easy drive to Baltimore, Lancaster County, Pa. (“Amish Country”), and the beaches in Atlantic City and Delaware. There is much to do in and around the city, including mansion and garden tours, museums, breweries, wineries, fine restaurants and numerous state parks.

Learn More About Delaware:

Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau

Delaware Tourism

Delaware’s Beaches

Explore Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States and offers a wealth of historical, cultural and recreational opportunities. From world-class museums to its professional sports teams to the colorful, bustling districts of South Street, Chinatown and the Italian Market, Philadelphia has something for everyone.

Learn More About the Philadelphia Area:

New Jersey Beaches

Pennsylvania Mountains

Train With Recognized Leaders

If you’re looking for a rewarding program built on academic excellence and family-centered care, Nemours Children's offers outstanding medical, surgical, pharmacy, nursing, therapy and psychology programs. Train with faculty who are respected leaders in their fields, a patient care model that stands apart and access to groundbreaking research. 

Meet Our Clinical Leadership

Eileen Shieh

Director, Residency Program

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

Learn More About Dr. Shieh

Meet Our Program Faculty

McManus, Maura, MD
Chair, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Learn More About Dr. McManus

Meet Our Participants

  • PPMR 5: Alyssa Zuziak, DO, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • PPMR 4: Katherine Zurbach, MD, Thomas Jefferson University Medical College
  • PPMR 3: Jessica Fernandez, MD, University of Central Florida College of Medicine
  • PPMR 2: Sarah Ghattas, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • PPMR 1: Rebecca Wilding, DO, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alumni

  • 2020: Stephanie Miller, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Assistant Professor, Texas Children's Hospital
  • 2019: Abigail Case, MD, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • 2018: Brian Wishart, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Attending Physician, MassGeneral Hospital for Children
  • 2017: J. Michael King, MD, Mercer University; Attending Physician, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • 2016: Eileen Shieh, MD, Thomas Jefferson University; Assistant Clincal Professor, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
  • 2015: Sarah Korth, MD, Michigan State University; Attending Physician, Kennedy Krieger Institute
  • 2014: Pritha Dalal, MD, Northeastern Ohio University; Assistant Clinical Professor, Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego
  • 2013: Laura Owens, MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Attending Physician, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
  • 2012: Nicole Marcantuono, MD, Drexel University; Attending Physician, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
  • 2011: Mitul Kapadia, MD, University of Texas – Galveston; Associate Professor, University of California San Francisco

Apply Today

Application Requirements

Deadline: December 31, 2023

1. Submit application electronically using ERAS

2. Personal statement

3. Board scores

4. Three letters of recommendation

5. Dean's letter

6. Transcript

Note: Letter from the Chairman is not required.


Eligibility of Candidates

  • Completed a three-year accredited pediatric residency program
  • Board eligible/board-certified in pediatrics
  • If a graduate of a medical school outside the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico, a valid ECFMG certificate or one that does not expire prior to the start of the fellowship.
  • If a citizen of a country other than the United States, or without permanent resident status in the United States, a copy of current and appropriate visa(s).

Questions About Applying?

Heather Klosowski
Program Coordinator
(302) 651-5795
heather.klosowski@nemours.org