Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Virginia Commonwealth of Virginia School of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics. Being a well-rounded, successful physician requires not just scientific and clinical rigor, but also empathy, strength and grace. As pediatricians, we are fierce advocates for patients and families from all walks of life, and we are committed to providing the highest level of comprehensive care and innovative research for the children we serve, regardless of race, religion, gender or socioeconomic status.

Every day, faculty, residents and medical students work and learn side by side in the Department of Pediatrics, driven by an innovative and collaborative work environment that fosters the same compassion for one another that we extend to our patients. We understand that the journey to becoming a pediatrician is a personal one. The residency and fellowship programs are competitive, with forward-thinking, family-centered education and interdisciplinary care practices. Our diverse pediatric residents and subspecialty fellows come from across the U.S. to train with our exceptional faculty at the state-of-the-art Children’s Hospital of Richmond outpatient pavilion, regional critical care neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care units.

With more than 200 faculty leaders in their field and the Child Health Research Institute, our residency and fellowship programs are built around innovative teaching, clinical care excellence and research exploration in a flexible, individualized curriculum. These opportunities support and empower young doctors to explore the available specialties, pursue their interests with curiosity and develop their own unique perspectives along the way.

We are excited to welcome you to be on this journey of health care improvement and discovery with us as we improve the lives of all children.

Shari Barkin, M.D., M.S.H.S.
Chair, Department of Pediatrics