Patient Population

The patient population varies according to rotation. For example, the patient population seen in the Continuity Clinic is 90 percent Mexican-American with approximately 70 percent of patients covered by Medicaid. Patients seen at the clinics held in the clinical facilities of the Uniformed Services Pediatric Residency Program are military dependents and represent all races (however, Caucasians and African-Americans predominate) and socioeconomic classes (from the dependents of Privates to the dependents of Colonels).

Because of the proximity to the U.S./Mexico border, residents will likely treat children with illnesses such as dengue fever that they would not have the opportunity to see in other parts of the country. They also manage diseases that have become increasingly common in children such as Type 2 diabetes. It was through patient contacts and ensuing research, that the Pediatric Endocrinology faculty helped sound the alarm concerning this phenomenon.

Whatever the rotation, residents encounter a variety of diverse and complex cases that assure an outstanding learning experience.