Resident Educational Conferences
The Department of Pediatrics Residency Program offers protected time for all residents. During inpatient blocks, case conference (which occurs during the noon lunch hour), program leadership covers phones and pagers to ensure full immersion in learning. While on outpatient or elective blocks, residents attend Academic Half Days once a week. Residents are also invited and encouraged to attend two weekly departmental conferences, FIRM Rounds and Grand Rounds. Below are descriptions of several of these events.
Noon Report (Case Conference)
Monday-Friday: 12:00 to 1:00 PM
During this daily conference, residents present recent cases from the wards or clinics with discussion facilitated by the chief residents and faculty. This is an opportunity for our residents to discuss the diagnosis, work-up and management of a variety of medical conditions, and most importantly, it is their consistent opportunity to engage in lively academic debate and practice detailing their medical decision-making in a confidential and supportive atmosphere. While it is primarily a resident lead conference, faculty members and fellows frequently participate to lend their expertise to the discussion. Chief residents and program leadership hold pagers and phones during this hour to protect residents so they can engage in the conferences fully. In addition to case conferences, we also have monthly Hhousestaff meetings to discuss program updates during the noon hour.
FIRM Conference
Tuesday: 8:00 to 9:00 AM
FIRM is one of our most unique multidisciplinary conferences. Each week, faculty from each of the pediatric disciplines, residents, and students gather to discuss and debate a single recent case from the wards. Residents are able to sit back and learn from the experts as they generate a differential, present cutting-edge evidence-based data, and work through the medical decision-making process.
Health Equity Rounds
Tuesdays, bimonthly: 8:00 to 9:00 AM
In an effort to unveil and address the pervasiveness of implicit bias and structural racism, Health Equity Rounds (HER)--every other month interdisciplinary case conference series--was implemented at Lurie Children's Hospital in 2021. Health Equity Rounds serves as an opportunity for faculty, trainees, students and staff throughout our institution to dissect patient cases with a health equity lens and engage in discussions about the impact structural racism and implicit bias have on patient care. In addition, this conference provides for students, trainees, faculty and staff an opportunity to discuss solutions for addressing, mitigating and abolishing the impacts of bias for the institution, the communities we serve, and healthcare systems at large. Each Health Equity Rounds is followed by a resident and student only debrief from 12:30 to 1:00 PM.
Grand Rounds
Friday: 8:00 to 9:00 AM
Pediatric Grand Rounds assembles speakers on a variety of clinical and research-related topics from Northwestern faculty and other respected healthcare professionals across the country. Contact pediatrics@luriechildrens.org to receive weekly notice of Grand Rounds.
Board Review
Once Weekly: 12:00 to 1:00 PM
During this weekly session, senior residents present and review relevant topics for the pediatric board exam. Each review session incorporates preparatory board questions, so residents can understand the question styles and breadth of topics covered on the certifying exam. Subspecialty fellows and program faculty enhance these sessions with pertinent clinical knowledge and expertise.
Academic Half-Days
Monday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Launched in the 2025-2026 academic year, our new Academic Half Day provides a dedicated, interactive learning experience every Monday morning for residents on outpatient or elective blocks. This protected time features a mix of simulation sessions, hands-on workshops, board preparation, and case-based lectures led by a collaborative team of faculty, fellows, and chief residents. This educational model was designed to foster engagement and teamwork. As a part of Academic Half Days, we have a comprehensive simulation curriculum led by faculty from our KidSTAR simulation center to help residents review core concepts, practice procedural skills, and refine interdisciplinary teamwork. The overall curriculum emphasizes active, practical learning in a fun and interactive environment. The Academic Half Day reflects our program’s commitment to innovative education and resident well-being by offering structured, consistent education while on outpatient or elective rotations.