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Pediatrics Residency

Home Education Residents and Fellows Pediatrics Residency
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Pediatrics residency

Marshfield Clinic’s Pediatric Residency Program provides a comprehensive, high-tech training experience in a safe, friendly, small-town environment.

What our pediatric residency program offers

Referral base of 3 million

Our large referral base provides residents with the opportunity to diagnose and manage children and adolescents presenting with a wide variety of diseases.

Multi-specialty faculty

We have subspecialists in Pediatric Neonatology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, ENT, Rheumatology, Behavior/Development, Child Abuse and Neglect, Hospitalists, Allergy/Immunology, Adolescent Medicine, Healthy Birth Critical Care, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Genetics, Pulmonology, Infectious Disease, Neurology, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, Surgery, Dermatology and more.

4:1 faculty-to-resident ratio

Our small program size allows faculty to provide 1:1 teaching to our residents. There are no fellows competing for procedures or faculty attention.

Fully accredited children hospital

Marshfield Children's Hospital, a "hospital within a hospital", is one of only three children's hospitals in the state and provides services to families of northern and central Wisconsin as well as Upper Michigan.

Preparation for primary care and fellowship

Many of our residents decide to pursue additional fellowship training. Our graduates have successfully matched in a variety of Pediatric fellowships, including ER, Cardiology, Neonatal, Pulmonology and Critical Care. Of course, we also have many graduates who have chosen a career in primary care and have successfully joined practices in Wisconsin and across the nation, including California, Alaska, Virginia, Texas and others.

Didactic conferences and simulation training

Residents participate in conferences every day at noon and two mornings/week. We also have state-of the-art sim lab training for procedural skills, including intubation, I&D, LP, pelvic exams and central lines. Monthly mock codes also help residents develop skills required to provide emergent CPR and advanced life support to children.

8-bed level 1 PICU

In the PICU, residents work directly with the attending managing children with critical illness, including trauma, shock, stroke, metabolic disorders and others.

24-bed level 3 NICU

In the NICU, residents attend high-risk deliveries and provide care for premature and term neonates.

24-bed inpatient unit

On the general pediatric unit, our full-time hospitalists teach residents to diagnose and treat children with routine pediatric illnesses in addition to chronic, complex and rare diseases. Our staff includes a multidisciplinary team of pediatric nurses, pharmacists, therapists, child life specialists and clinical psychologists. Our patients are also provided with an indoor playroom and outdoor play space.

8-bed inpatient heme-onc unit

Our hematology–oncology unit provides a safe, specialized space to care for immunosuppressed children with cancer. Special support services are provided by our multispecialty team.

Weekly continuity clinic

In continuity clinic, residents follow their own panel of patients and develop important skills needed for primary care. This experience also provides a strong foundation in general pediatrics for those residents who pursue fellowship training.

Research training

Residents are encouraged to participate in clinical research, community advocacy and quality improvement projects. We have a full-time research facilitator dedicated to assisting residents with their scholarly projects. We also have trained staff members to help faculty and residents prepare manuscripts for publication.

Work-life balance

Resident physicians enjoy a challenging and stimulating learning environment, yet work hours are reasonable, and life outside of work is relatively low stress. We strictly enforce resident work hour limits, to ensure that residents are well rested and fit for duty. Living in Marshfield is convenient, safe and affordable. Families also really appreciate our strong public school system, which is ranked as one of the finest in the state and the country.

Mentoring

Since we are a small program, we can develop close mentoring relationships with our residents. We work individually with each resident to help them meet their learning needs and reach their career goals.

Who we are

Our home, Marshfield Clinic Health System, is a comprehensive state-of-the-art medical complex that offers:

  • An academic campus of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
  • Physicians in 170+ specialties and subspecialties
  • A designated Children's Hospital within a hospital ranked as one of the best hospitals in Central Wisconsin by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Cutting-edge information technology: paperless charting, completely digital radiology images, extensive integrated computer technologies, including a more than decade-old electronic medical record, electronic prescribing, PACS image archive, electronic lab results, innovative early childhood immunization registry, digital echocardiography network and telemedicine.
  • One of the largest private research facilities in the nation, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, with more than 200 research projects and 450 clinical trials underway.
  • Largest population based genetic research study in America

What we’re seeking

We seek highly-motivated, well-rounded resident physicians who are committed to improving the lives of children, dedicated to life-long learning and invested in furthering the art and science of medicine. We view each resident as an individual with his/her own interests and strengths. We are committed to helping our residents develop a strong foundation in Pediatrics that prepares them for a career in primary care or their chosen subspecialty.

We accept applications for the Pediatric Residency Program through ERAS until December 1. Applications will be accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please contact your medical school for assistance when filing this electronic application. International graduates are advised to contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for assistance.

Due to extremely competitive candidates, most interviews are granted before December and are completed by early-January at the latest. Please see application for requirements.

The program accepts J-1 visa applicants and sponsors H1B visas including filing fees deemed reasonable and necessary in Marshfield Clinic’s sole discretion.

For more information

If you have questions, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Uzoma Okorie, M.D.
Program Director
Pediatrics Residency Program
Marshfield Medical Center
1000 North Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(800) 541-2895 ext. 7-5267 or (715) 387-5267
Fax: (715) 389-3142
Uzoma.Okorie@SanfordHealth.org

Shirley Disch
Program Coordinator
Pediatrics Residency Program
Marshfield Medical Center
1000 North Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(800) 541-2895 ext. 7-5267 or (715) 387-5267
Fax: (715) 221-7627 

Download the residents and fellows resource guide.

Program information

Application criteria

Interviews

  • All interviews will be conducted virtually.
  • If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified via email starting in October.
  • Interviews are typically offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, November-January.
  • Additional details regarding virtual interviews, virtual resident socials, and (optional) in-person tours will be provided to applicants who are selected to interview.
  • We do not offer pre-interview “observer-ship" rotations at our institution.

While we would love to meet you and share our community with you in person, in order to provide an equal opportunity to all students at the lowest cost, we do not offer in person visits. If you would like to explore the community on your own, please contact the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Application requirements

All applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service.

All applicants are encouraged to use the ERAS Supplemental Application.

Medical school graduation within the past 5 years.  

Step 2 Score > 220 is preferred  but not required or COMLEX score > 500 is preferred but not required..

Students who have pending USMLE Step II scores are eligible for interviews.

Minimum of two letters of recommendation from US clinical experiences.

We typically begin reviewing applications in September.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

International graduates requiring a VISA:

  • Must pass all USMLE Steps I, II and III in order to be considered for interview.
  • Must have 2 letters of recommendation from US clinical experiences.
  • Our organization has commonly sponsored H-1B filing fees, attorney fees and premium processing costs associated with obtaining the visa; however, if recently imposed regulations by the federal government are unchanged (i.e., $100,000 filing fee), the Pediatric Residency Program will be unable to offer H-1B sponsorship, and affected applicants would need to pursue a J-1 visa through the ECFMG.
  • Find out more about visa information.
  • Please contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECGMG) for assistance.

While we would love to meet you and share our community with you in person, in order to provide an equal opportunity to all students, we do not require in-person visits. If you would like to explore the medical facility and/or the community, please contact the Office of Physician Recruitment via office phone (715) 221-5770 or email prshared@marshfieldclinic.org.

Emails & phone calls

Due to the volume of applicants, we can only answer phone calls and emails from candidates who have been invited to interview. 

Address inquiries to:

Shirley Disch, Pediatrics Residency Program Coordinator
shirley.disch@sanfordhealth.org
Marshfield Clinic Health System
1000 North Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(800) 541-2895 ext. 7-5267 or (715) 387-5267
Fax: (715) 389-3142

Benefits

Salary

We offer a competitive salary and benefit package which includes relocation assistance, malpractice coverage and an annual travel/education fund available to each resident beginning in PGY1.

Salaries for 2026-2027 (effective July 1, 2026)

When taken in aggregate, the compensation package provided residents, depending on post-graduate year, ranges from $70,000 to $100,000 per resident.

PGY1: $71,033
PGY2: $73,370
PGY3: $75,708
PGY4: $78,045
PGY5: $80,383
PGY6: $82,722
PGY7: $85,060

Health/dental insurance

  • Payment of monthly premium for Security Health Plan point of service coverage for resident, resident's spouse and qualified dependents, includes a prescription drug benefit. Indemnity coverage is available for a nominal premium. Residents would be responsible for copays and/or coinsurance.
  • Payment of monthly premium for dental insurance.

Time away

  • Sick leave: Residents (or house staff officers) are allotted sick days. Residents will not be compensated for any unused sick time. It is the responsibility of the Resident to notify the appropriate individual(s) of an absence due to illness in accordance with his/her program specific policy. Residents are eligible for a short and long-disability plan the first of the month following 90 consecutive calendar days of employment within a benefited status. 
  • Vacation: 15 workdays per contract year
  • Continuing Medical Education (CME)/Meeting time: Residents are allotted up to seven (7) working days per academic year for scientific meetings (includes travel time), which varies in program and training years. 
  • Interview days: Residents are allotted, with approval and planning, up to ten (10) interview days total during the course of their residency, for Fellowship, and/or job related interviews (prorated for programs less than three (3) years).
  • Exam day(s): Exam time away from residency training for USMLE, COMLEX, (first time), Licensure exam, In-training exam, representing the Program or Clinic for a business, or required educational purpose as approved by the Program Director, are accounted for as days in training.
  • Birth/adoption leave: Residents may take up to six weeks of leave in a 12 month period for the birth of the Resident's natural child or the placement of a child with the Resident for adoption. Absence from the residency program beyond six weeks may require an extension of the residency to meet board eligibility criteria.
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): The FMLA is an unpaid, job protected leave. Residents who meet the eligibility criteria will be eligible for unpaid leave under the FMLA. Absences from the residency program may request an extension of the residency to meet board eligibility criteria.

Professional liability, disability & life insurance

  • Residents are fully covered under Marshfield Clinic's self-insurance plan for professional liability. This is an occurrence policy. Contribution to the State of Wisconsin Patients Compensation Fund is also made on behalf of each licensed resident, which provides additional protection.
  • Each Resident is covered under Worker's Compensation.
  • Short and Long term disability insurance is purchased for each Resident. This policy is effective the 1st of the month following 90 days from your hire date in a benefited status.
  • Group term accidental death and dismemberment insurance is an option at the Resident's own expense.
  • Group term life insurance: A $50,000 term life insurance is purchased for each Resident.

Additional perks

  • An annual travel/educational fund is available to each resident for attending meetings, purchasing textbooks or a combination of these activities. The resident is allotted seven working days per eligible academic year for scientific meeting time.
  • Relocation assistance up to $2,500 per resident family household.
  • Wireless computer assigned to each resident.
  • A meal allowance is provided to residents while on call in the medical complex.
  • Residents have designated "on call" rooms in the hospital.
  • Resident’s/fellow's Wisconsin State Medical License is paid.
  • If not previously taken, the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step 3 exam fee or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Level 3 exam fee will be paid one time per resident if taken during the PGY1 year of residency.
  • Lab coats and laundering are provided.
  • A standard 35% discount (excluding contact lenses) at Marshfield Clinic Optical Shop.
  • Special funds are available for resident paper presentations in representing their respective program.
  • Residents have medical transcription support and program coordinator assistance.
  • Marshfield Clinic Health System offers a drug and tobacco-free environment.
  • Resident Association special activities.
  • Resident workshops.
  • Resident Well-Being Committee support.
  • Resident/learner lounge is accessible 24/7.

Housing

Affordable housing is available in Marshfield. A variety of housing is available, ranging from apartment complexes to single houses and duplexes.

Evaluation process

We believe that frequent evaluations of residents, teaching faculty and the program as a whole are helpful in ensuring an excellent educational experience.

You will have monthly evaluations of your performance for each rotation. Attendings are required to give mid-rotation formative feedback as well and are always available for consultation regarding progress or concerns.

Quarterly or biannual evaluations include an individual meeting with the Program Director to review your progress and give you feedback. A 360-degree evaluation is conducted at least biannually, which helps you understand how other members of the health care team, your peers, and your patients perceive you. In addition, you will actively participate in your own Individualized Learning Plan. Over the three years of your residency, you will create your own professional portfolio summarizing all your activities that will serve you well when applying for a job or fellowship.

You will have a faculty mentor who helps make sure you have a satisfying and productive residency experience. Your faculty mentor also provides support such as assistance in developing a research idea, dealing with the stress of residency, improving medical knowledge and providing assistance in career counseling.

We actively work with you to identify any areas that need improvement and help craft an individualized plan for professional growth. Our goal is to make you confident, competent and successful by the end of your training at Marshfield Clinic and Marshfield Medical Center.

Faculty & Residents

Residents learn with close support from attending faculty who actively choose to teach as part of their role. Faculty provide frequent one-on-one guidance, allowing residents to benefit directly from their experience and expertise.

Faculty


Residents

Resident life

Our residency program supports its residents and helps them achieve their full potential, in an environment that values their diversity and celebrates individuality. 

Residents walking through our doors participate in a well-rounded, humanistic training experience in a large tertiary care center with all the benefits of living in a community setting.

Our residents and graduates consider their training to encompass "the best of both worlds." Marshfield is affectionately dubbed "The City in the Center" of Wisconsin, residents are able to enjoy:

  • Short commute, most residents living within 5-10 minutes of the hospital campus.
  • Small town with access to all the necessary amenities and facilities, supporting a good work/life balance.
  • Great place to raise a family, with nearby school and daycare options. Many residents also have children.
  • Low cost of living and reasonably priced housing, including apartments and houses.
  • Numerous season specific outdoor activities.
  • Nearby big cities, enabling travel and weekend escapes!

During their time off, residents have been able to spend time with friends and family with:

  • Recreational activities:
    • YMCA - residents receiving a significant discount.
    • Well-kept golf courses
    • Tennis, basketball groups
    • Trivia night
    • Hiking & biking trails
    • Kayaking, rafting, tubing- we love our lakes!
    • Winter sports- snow shoe trails, ski slopes, chair lifts 
    • Farmers' markets
    • Community supported agriculture- fresh fruit and vegetable shares!
  • Marshfield Clinic's Well-Being Committee: A confidential consultation service where a RWBC member will listen to our personal, interpersonal, professional and program concerns. The RWBC helps to promote a healthy and humane learning and work environment for the house staff by 'shining a light' on those resources currently available to them.
    • All-Resident Retreat
    • Confidential Mental Health Support and Access
  • Intern Retreat
  • Senior Retreat

Connect with us

See what life is like as a Pediatric Resident. Connect with us on Instagram page - @marshfieldchildrenspeds.

Rotation schedule

Call schedule

Call frequency for senior residents ranges from 1-8 times/month, with more call during inpatient months and little or no call on outpatient months. For example, in the NICU, there are eight calls per month. During the PICU or Ward rotation, call generally averages four times/month. During an outpatient rotation, the resident may only be on call 1-2 times during the month.

Supervision

Senior residents are immediately available to provide direct supervision to all interns. Pediatric hospitalist and Intensivists provide 24/7 coverage and most live within 10-15 minutes of the hospital.

Rotations - Diversified and balanced

Conferences - Opportunities for learning and discussion

Our program provides a variety of conferences, including didactics (Grand Rounds, core lectures) and case conferences. Most conferences occur during the noon hour with a few scheduled in the morning. There is typically at least one conference per day. Conference types include:

  • Core lectures: 2-3 times per week
  • Grand rounds: 2-3 times per month
  • Mock codes: 1 time per month
  • Journal club: 1 time per month
  • Resident business meeting: 1 time per month
  • Case conference: 1 time per week
  • Board review: 1 time per month

Frequently asked questions

What makes Marshfield special?

Marshfield has all the advantages of big city medicine with a small town lifestyle. We practice cutting-edge medicine in state-of-the-art facilities (including our extensively funded Research Foundation) and have outstanding faculty and staff. When combined with a friendly community where outdoor activities abound, residency life here is very attractive. No long commutes to work, parking problems or safety concerns. Cultural opportunities abound in not-so-far away Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

There is also no sense of being unimportant. Here, great medical care is a team effort. You will be treated as an integral part of the team and enjoy close working relationships with faculty. Many residents even participate in leisure activities with faculty and staff members. Attendings are approachable and are available for teaching and consultation.

With the entire medical center under one roof, it’s easy to shift from hospital to clinic or library, catch a hallway consultation or schedule one of your continuity patients for a same-day sick visit. According to our residents, continuity clinics are one of the best parts of the pediatric experience.

What makes learning and living in Marshfield different?

Friendly people with an unbeatable attitude and work ethic make the difference! Midwesterners are generally hard working, honest people who are genuinely fun to be with, even at work! Employees at every level in our system are committed to doing the best job they can and take pride in their efforts and contributions to the medical center and community. People feel they are part of a large family that works well together. Although we train residents, we do not have pediatric subspecialty fellowships. Thus the subspecialists work with residents one on one and our residents have robust opportunities for procedures.

Will I be able to get a fellowship?

Our graduates have recently been accepted to prestigious fellowships at Mayo Clinic, University of California San Diego, University of Texas San Antonio, Tufts University in Boston, University Children's Hospital in New Orleans, Detroit Children's Hospital, and George Washington University. We have had graduates pursue fellowships in adolescent medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, infectious disease, intensive care, neonatology, neurology, and emergency medicine. Our Marshfield subspecialists have been trained at top programs around the country, and are very willing to assist you in your plan to pursue a fellowship. Residents generally match in their top choice.

How do graduates prepare for the American Board of Pediatrics exams?

Residents who perform well on the yearly in-training exam (ITE) generally do well on the Board Exam. Residents who do not perform well on the ITE are required to complete PREP board-style questions in a effort to maximize board preparation and help build test taking skills.

Residents going into general pediatric practice or fellowships uniformly tell us they feel very confident and well trained upon entering the next phase of their professional careers.

How can a small program in a rural location provide a broad spectrum of diseases and pathology?

We have more than the required number of patients per resident on inpatient and outpatient services. We draw from over 3 million people. Marshfield Clinic Health System is the largest private group medical practice in Wisconsin and one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.

Our flagship medical center in Marshfield is part of a large network of regional clinics within Marshfield Clinic. Our system consists of 41 regional patient care, research and education facilities located throughout central, eastern, northern and western Wisconsin, and also serves the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

How does this small residency program differ from a large metropolitan or university program?

  • The medical center is friendly and people know each other on a first-name basis. The attention and interaction with all members of the health care team and medical center employees is evident at every level and makes working here a rewarding experience. From the housekeeping staff to the top clinic and hospital leadership, the work ethic is superb.
  • The close interaction and individualized attention from the residency and teaching faculty makes learning here a positive experience. The faculty thrives on lively discussion and interaction with the residents. The balance between education and service is excellent as viewed by the residents.
  • The cost of living is significantly less than in a large city. Traffic jams don’t exist and commuting is quick and easy - you can get just about anywhere in the community within 15 minutes.
  • There are few, if any, safety concerns. Many citizens never lock their doors!
  • Many graduating residents actively seek out employment within the Marshfield Clinic Health System because they value the camaraderie, work ethic and exceptional quality of care offered to patients here.

Will I have my own continuity patients and sufficient autonomy in their care?

You will enjoy a robust continuity clinic practice of your own patients mixed with some acute care patients whose physicians are gone for the day. You will develop a following of newborns during your first months when you enroll many newborns from your initial Newborn Rotation, in addition to "inheriting" families from graduating residents.

The continuity of visits is excellent, and you are encouraged to accept and triage phone calls from your continuity families when they are ill or have questions. In addition, you are encouraged and often able to schedule a sick visit for your patients on days that are not your usual continuity afternoon. Residents rate this experience as one of the best in our program.

Do you offer ‘observer-ships’ for international students who are interested in gaining US pediatric experience?

Unfortunately, we do not offer observer-ships at our institution. We do teach a number of medical students from the University of Wisconsin, and cannot accept additional students.