Frequently Asked Questions
What do our graduates do?
The graduating classes of 2018 through 2020 have produced 17 general pediatricians, 2 hospitalists and 17 fellows in a variety of specialties, including cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, nephrology, neonatolog y and infectious disease at top-tier institutions.
Where are they now? 
What is the history of Inova Children's Hospital as a training institution?
Inova Children's Hospital (formerly known as Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children) has educated residents and medical students for many years. In addition to our own residents, the program is responsible for training visiting residents from the following programs: Georgetown Pediatrics, Fairfax Family Medicine, National Capital Consortium Family Medicine (Ft. Belvoir), National Capital Consortium Pediatrics (Walter Reed) and George Washington Emergency Medicine.
Third-year medical students from the University of Virginia and Georgetown complete their pediatric clerkships by rotating through the inpatient unit at Inova Children's Hospital. As such, all inpatient interns have the responsibility to educate and mentor third-year students. Fourth-year medical students from a wide range of schools are trained and supervised by senior residents.
How often are residents on call? What about weekends?
During intern year, interns spend an average of three to four blocks on the pediatric wards. Each block is made up of four weeks, and two of these weeks are on nights. While on the wards, they work an average of one day each weekend, with four days off each block. Interns are typically scheduled for 13-hour shifts, and there are a total of two 24-hour shifts their entire intern year. While on other rotations, each intern typically covers the inpatient team two out of four weekends.
Second- and third-year residents do two, two-week blocks of night team, during which they work Sunday through Thursday night, with Friday and Saturday off. Upper-level residents generally take one Friday and one Saturday 24-hour call each block, as well as one Sunday day call.
Residents rotate in the PICU and NICU only during the second and third year. Residents in the PICU can expect to do one week of five consecutive night shifts per rotation, as well as one or two 24-hour weekend calls. Residents in the NICU will typically have five consecutive weekday evening shifts and may help cover the ward on the weekends.
How many days of vacation do residents receive?
Residents receive two two-week blocks. In addition to this, residents also have five days off during the winter holiday season. While the program does not guarantee that each resident's vacation choices will be granted, every attempt is made to accommodate one's request. In the past several years everyone has received at least one of their first two choices.
Where do residents live? What is the quality of life?
The Northern Virginia/Washington, DC, area offers many housing options, including urban apartments, suburban houses, and more rural areas. Most residents live within a 25-mile radius of the hospital. As the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is located near the Capital beltway (I-495), the hospital is accessible from all directions. Northern Virginia continues to experience explosive growth, partly as result of the thriving computer/technology economy. Fairfax County also boasts one of the finest public school systems in the nation and is an excellent place to raise a family.
What do residents do during their time off?
The Washington, DC, region offers unlimited access to political, cultural, historical, and educational opportunities. Located 10 minutes from a metro station, the hospital is a short ride to the Mall and Capitol, AAP headquarters, a multitude of galleries and museums including the National Gallery and Smithsonian museums, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Wolf Trap, an outdoor entertainment venue, hosts world-famous artists, plays and festivals. Excellent restaurants of all genres are plentiful. Professional sports teams, including the Capitals, Wizards, Nationals and the Commanders play home games in the area. Ideally located on the eastern seaboard, beaches and mountains are both readily accessible for travel and exploration. Three major airports service the area.
Residents get together frequently for happy hours, with a multitude of informal events happening monthly. Annual traditions include a resident-only-retreat, senior resident boat cruise and annual jeopardy with graduating seniors versus attendings.
