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Why I Chose the Yale Pediatric Residency Program...

A few words from some of our 2nd year residents:

Ian Zenlea, MD

Ian Zenlea, MD
I am sure that you expect me to say that I chose Yale Pediatrics because it is a prestigious program staffed by some of the most renowned experts in any pediatric subspecialty field. These experts could both ignite my desire and quench my thirst for knowledge. I could say I knew a residency at Yale would open numerous doors for fellowship opportunities. All of these reasons would be true, but the aforementioned were not quite at the top of my list. The reality is that each program has its own selling points. When traveling along the interview trail, each program seems to blend into the next like every bland lunch you are forced to eat at each stop. The Yale pediatrics program; however, had a different, almost euphoric effect on me. On interview day at Yale, everyone (including the interns!) was smiling as if they were enjoying being residents. These doctors, who should have been overwhelmed with work and exhausted from call, seemed eager to enlighten me as to the many reasons why residency at Yale is such a great experience. During my interview, the program director knew the names of everyone and something unique about each applicant; a welcoming feeling. The only thing intimidating was that the resident library is decorated from wall to wall with trophies from prior intramural softball victories. If I am not mistaken, I may have been more intensely interviewed regarding my skills on the softball field (of which I have none), rather than my skills as an aspiring pediatrician. All kidding aside, I chose Yale because it seemed like the best “fit” for me. I felt as though I had many things in common with the residents, and everyone was happy. Yale affords an excellent program, and is set in a small city that provides diverse cultural experiences. I participated in the couples match, and my fiancé is a currently a second year internal medicine resident. For the two of us, who would both like to specialize, Yale was the perfect match. I look forward to meeting you on interview day. ~ Ian Zenlea, MD, PGY-2, University of Vermont

Katherine Yun, MD

Katherine Yun, MD
I chose Yale pediatrics because I wanted balance. The program is personally supportive but professionally rigorous. Academic research exists alongside dedicated community pediatric practices, which are equally invested in evidence-based medicine. On a personal level, I wanted a program large enough to offer the widest variety of primary and subspecialty pediatric care, but small enough to be largely resident — rather than fellow — driven. And most importantly, I wanted a program that would be invested in each and every resident, including residents with nontraditional career goals, such as international and public health. Only a few months into my second year, I have already been able to spend one month working at a community hospital in Honduras as part of the Yale/Johnson & Johnson Physician Scholars in International Health Program. Without even leaving Yale, New Haven offers a link to international health through its large South and Central American populations, as well as a local refugee resettlement program. Each week, I am able to fill my continuity clinic with recent immigrants and their families. Furthermore, Yale is one of just four sites nationwide for the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, a two-year nontraditional fellowship supporting clinicians interested in community health and public policy. Working and learning at Yale, I am able to participate in highest level of American pediatric care, without restricting my educational and career goals to practicing in America. Working and learning at Yale, I feel balanced. ~ Katherine Yun, MD, PGY-2, Harvard Medical School

Sherene Mason, MD

Sherene Mason, MD
Oftentimes when faced with making decisions about various aspects of my life, I tend to involve the usual factors that most everyone employs. These I refer to as the “tangibles.” Relating to my decision-making for choosing a residency program these included the following: the number of pediatric beds, the quality of research, accomplishment of attendings, community advocacy programs, and location in an urban setting among others. Through my research and encounters on interview day, I discovered that the Yale Pediatric Residency Program definitely provided the “tangibles” that I sought and even more.

Above all, the “intangibles” were the factors providing the drive for my decision to train here at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital. The intangibles I sought surrounded being in an environment that remained supportive to my professional and personal development. I was certain that Yale could provide many opportunities for the former but I needed to have firsthand experiences to determine if the latter existed. Through my participation in a Pediatric Pulmonary elective as a medical student, and a memorable interview day where the program director had memorized every candidate’s CV, I was able to discern that Yale had a genuine commitment to the well-being of its housestaff. Based on conversations with other housestaff who were married and had a children, I felt that there would be ample support for my roles as a wife and mother.

To top off my decision, I knew that Yale’s proximity to the cities within NY, RI and MA provided easy access without being a part of the everyday bustle of those areas. Additionally, New Haven has a unique and diverse culture allowing for rich experiences for individuals and families. My favorite time here occurs during the summer with all the free events and concerts on the New Haven Green, especially during the annual International Festival of Arts and Ideas. Overall, my experience as a Pediatric Resident at Yale has provided reassurance that I have made the right decision for both myself and for my family. ~ Sherene Mason, MD, PGY-2, University of Connecticut Medical School