This July, 10 inaugural residents began their training through Baylor College of Medicine’s new pediatric residency program based at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
These residents will train to become pediatricians through the program for the next three years. The program adds 10 primary care residency spots to south Texas. Primary care physicians are the first-line providers for medical care, and the Association of American Medical Colleges has identified primary care as one of the areas in which they anticipate a future physician shortage.
“Our new BCM/Children’s Hospital of San Antonio pediatric residents have been like a breath of fresh air,” said Dr. Mark Gilger, pediatrician-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. “They have energized our faculty and staff with their enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge. More importantly, they represent the bright and bold future of Children’s Hospital of San Antonio and pediatric medicine in San Antonio and South Texas.”
“Our entire faculty and staff are so excited about the arrival of our first class of Baylor residents,” said Dr. Michelle Barajaz, pediatric residency program director for Baylor/San Antonio. “This is a very strong group of young pediatricians who are beginning a truly unique opportunity to work closely with faculty who have come from all over the country to help build our program and our hospital. All of the employees here have welcomed them into the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio family with open arms.”
A “Meet and Greet” was held to welcome the students, and guests were encouraged to write notes to the students wishing them well and even recommending their favorite restaurants in San Antonio.
Included in this group was new chief resident Courtney Smith, who recently completed her pediatric residency training through Baylor College of Medicine’s residency program based at Texas Children’s Hospital.
“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to work with such a great group of residents,” said Smith. “Their drive to learn and to provide the best care for their patients has been inspiring, and I know they are going to do great things over the next three years! They have enthusiastically integrated themselves into Children’s Hospital of San Antonio and have become a part of the BCM family, and we are so proud to have them here!”
“It is a landmark moment for our community as well, as we bring San Antonio’s only free-standing children’s hospital to the next level by extending Baylor’s standard of excellence in graduate medical education to our great city. The support and enthusiasm we have felt from all sides has been overwhelming,” said Barajaz.
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