Residents interested in Adolescent Medicine should seek out elective and procedure experiences that deepen their understanding of the unique physical, mental, and social health needs of adolescents. This includes focused clinical training in reproductive health, mental health, eating disorders, and gender-affirming care. Elective opportunities should emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, preventive care, and the impact of social determinants of health on adolescent development. Residents should also aim to build skills in sensitive communication, trauma-informed care, and patient-centered counseling. This pathway prepares residents for careers in Adolescent Medicine, primary care with a focus on teen health, or advocacy and policy work related to adolescent populations.
Contact
Emily Poplar
Lea Widdice
Essential Electives
Adolescent Medicine
This half- or full-block elective which residents can complete in addition to the compulsory Adolescent Medicine Rotation will provide residents with comprehensive training in the care of adolescents across a variety of clinical settings. Residents will learn to evaluate and manage complex psychosocial and physical health concerns specific to this age group, including mood and behavioral issues, chronic illnesses, and preventive care. The elective places additional emphasis on reproductive health, including contraception counseling, STI diagnosis and management, and pregnancy-related care. Residents will also gain experience in gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse youth, and in the identification and management of eating disorders, including coordination with nutrition, psychiatry, and social work. Exposure to interdisciplinary team-based care is a hallmark of this experience.
Individualized Elective in Pediatric Gynecology
This half-block elective will offer residents a focused experience in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Residents will learn to evaluate and manage menstrual disorders, ovarian pathology, genital anomalies, and contraception needs. There will also be opportunities to observe surgical cases and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including endocrinology, adolescent medicine, and child abuse pediatrics.
- Must be arranged as an individual elective
Recommended Electives
Psychiatry
This half- or full-block elective will provide additional exposure to adolescent mental health beyond what is typically experienced in general pediatrics. Residents will work alongside child and adolescent psychiatrists in outpatient or consultative roles, deepening their understanding of psychiatric diagnoses, psychotropic medications, and behavioral health system navigation. This elective is especially relevant for adolescents with co-occurring mental and physical health concerns.
Child Abuse
This half- or full-block elective will help residents develop skills in recognizing, evaluating, and managing suspected cases of abuse or neglect. Residents will learn to conduct trauma-informed histories and physical exams, interface with child protective services, and participate in multidisciplinary case reviews. Emphasis will be placed on the overlap between child abuse and adolescent medicine, especially in cases involving sexual abuse, trafficking, or complex psychosocial circumstances.
Initiative on Poverty, Justice, and Health
Offered annually: Block 11 in 2025
This half-block elective will expose residents to the structural and social determinants of health that affect adolescents living in poverty or involved in the juvenile justice system. Through clinical, advocacy, and community-based experiences, residents will explore how housing instability, food insecurity, racism, and systemic inequities impact adolescent development and health outcomes. This elective will emphasize practical approaches to equity-focused care and partnership with community organizations.
Sports Medicine
This half- or full-block elective will introduce residents to the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal injuries and exercise-related concerns in adolescents. Residents will gain experience with physical exams, imaging interpretation, and return-to-play decisions. There will also be opportunities to address female athlete triad, amenorrhea, and overtraining—topics particularly relevant to adolescent health and reproductive development.
Other Electives
Dermatology
This half- or full-block elective will allow residents to become more confident in diagnosing and managing common adolescent skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and warts. Residents will also gain exposure to cosmetic concerns, skin infections, and dermatologic manifestations of systemic illness, helping them approach adolescent patients with sensitivity to appearance-related anxieties and quality of life.
HealthWorks
This half- or full-block elective will immerse residents in a multidisciplinary clinic focused on the evaluation and management of obesity and related comorbidities in children and adolescents. Residents will participate in comprehensive assessments addressing nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and behavior change. Special attention will be paid to motivational interviewing, long-term weight management, and the stigma adolescents face around body image.
gastroenterology
This half- or full-block elective will expose residents to the diagnosis and management of GI conditions common in adolescence, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, and functional abdominal pain. Emphasis will be placed on patient communication, chronic disease management, and the psychosocial dimensions of GI symptoms.
Endocrinology
This half- or full-block elective will provide experience in managing endocrine conditions that frequently arise during adolescence, including diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), delayed or precocious puberty, and thyroid disease. Residents may have the opportunity to explore the interface between endocrinology and reproductive health.
Palliative Care
This half- or full-block elective will help residents develop comfort with goals-of-care conversations, symptom management, and family-centered decision-making for adolescents with serious illness. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, residents will learn to address emotional, spiritual, and developmental needs, and provide affirming care in complex and sensitive situations.
Recommended procedures
- Pelvic exam
- Bimanual exam
- External genitourinary examination
- Safety screening and planning
Optional procedures
- IUD placement & removal
- Nexplanon placement & removal
Other Experiences
Administer and Interpret:
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): A tool to assess the severity and immediacy of suicidal ideation and behavior.C-SSRS administration
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): A screening tool for depression symptoms and severity.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7): A brief assessment for generalized anxiety disorder symptoms.
Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ): A validated suicide risk screening instrument for youth.
Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scales: A tool used to assess symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and comorbid conditions in children and adolescents.
Puberty Staging (Tanner Staging): Clinical assessment of physical development during puberty.
Contraception Counseling: Discussion of contraceptive methods, efficacy, side effects, and adolescent preferences.
Options Counseling for Pregnant Patients: Non-directive counseling to support pregnant adolescents in understanding their choices, including parenting, adoption, and abortion.
Scholarly Activity
Most applicants pursuing Adolescent Medicine participate in a scholarly project. The project does not have to be housed in the Division specifically, and a wide array of projects have been completed by residents matching into the field. The quality the mentoring and methodology are the most important criteria programs consider.
Professional Organizations
SAHM – Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Website: https://www.adolescenthealth.org
AAP – American Academy of Pediatrics
Website: https://www.aap.org
NASPAG – North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Website: https://www.naspag.org
PAS – Pediatric Academic Societies
Website: https://www.pas-meeting.org
WPATH – World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Website: https://www.wpath.org
Journals & Online Resources
AdolescentHealth.org, SAHM Online Curricula (https://adolescenthealth.org/training-and-cme/adolescent-medicine-resident-curriculum/)
Adolescent Medicine Student Resource page (https://adolescenthealth.org/stc-resources/)