Pediatric Residency

We welcome your interest in the pediatric residency training program at MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. As the only tertiary care facility for children in Maine, our residency program offers comprehensive training designed to provide an excellent foundation in general pediatrics. We are enthusiastic about preparing our graduates to practice general pediatrics or to enter the fellowship of their choice. Our patient population includes children throughout the state of Maine and parts of New Hampshire from diverse ethnic groups and multiple socioeconomic backgrounds.

We strongly believe in preventive care and the importance of child advocacy. Our faculty has a strong commitment to excellence in patient care and teaching. Residents in our program receive outstanding education in primary care and both inpatient and outpatient training balanced with critical care and sub-specialty experiences. Whether it is in our hospital or ambulatory units, our simulation center, or in one of our community or rural affiliated practices, you will experience pediatrics side by side with our attending faculty, and have ample opportunity to take ownership of the healthcare of your patients. In addition, the X +Y scheduling system fosters the ability to be wholly present whether on an inpatient or ambulatory experience.

Extensive contact with faculty is the norm here as we do not have fellows in our program. This gives our residents autonomy and the opportunity for direct teaching and focused mentorship from our faculty. Take some time to explore the curriculum section of our website which describes the variety of opportunities available for rotations. Note that a significant portion of your training is designed to allow you to develop unique rotation experiences that best meet your future needs. Explore the many unique rotation offerings that have been developed over the years by past residents and faculty including our ACQUIRE rotation designed to introduce concepts of research, QI and advocacy and chronic care management, designed to provide a deeper dive into children with special health care needs.

Resident and medical student education is also a priority. We are the primary teaching site for our third year medical students from the Maine Track of the Tufts University School of Medicine, third year students from Tufts not in the Maine Track program, as well as students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. We host students from institutions throughout the country join us for fourth year acting internship and elective experiences.

Finally, we live in a wonderfully diverse community, both socio-economically and culturally. We care for patients who’ve relocated to Maine from all over the world and pride ourselves on providing equitable care to all Mainers, as we welcome them into our medical homes. We are committed to supporting a safe and inclusive culture, aligned with MaineHealth diversity, equity and inclusion policies where each person has recognized value, and foster a collaborative, respectful and equitable environment where our learners, faculty and teams can thrive in an ever-changing global community. We are committed to diversifying our workforce to match the patients we care for every day. Learn more about D/E/I within our Pediatric program.

Please explore the rest of our residency website, and check-out the MHMMC Pediatric Residency Instagram. Or, learn more about MHMMC in general and all available residency programs.

We look forward to introducing you to our faculty and residents and to sharing our dedication to the welfare of children and to the education of pediatricians in training!

Laura Schroeder, MD (she/her)

Director, Pediatric Residency Program
Attending Physician, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine

Pam Dietz, MD (she/her)

Associate Program Director, Ambulatory Clinics and Resident Wellness, Pediatric Residency Program
Assistant Clinical Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine

Amy Buczkowski, MD (she/her)

Associate Program Director - Scholarly Activity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Advocacy, Pediatric Residency Program
Attending Physician, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Assistant Clinical Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine

Thank you for your interest in the MHMMC Pediatric Residency program! The MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital has been a fantastic place to train over the past three years, and I am thrilled to join the leadership team as Pediatric Chief Resident this year.

If you are looking for a supportive residency program that will challenge and inspire you, and prepare you for your next chapter, trust me when I say that you will find it here!

As the sole tertiary care hospital for children in Maine, our residents are at the forefront of pediatric medicine, caring for some of the most critically ill and medically complex children in the region. As senior residents, you will hold the "admitting pager," serving as the primary point of contact for pediatric consultations across the state. Whether you are providing guidance to fellow doctors, coordinating patient transfers, or participating in ambulance transports alongside a multidisciplinary team, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience and clinical reasoning skills that will serve you well in your future career. 

You will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in diverse ambulatory settings, from community practices in greater Portland to rural sites throughout Maine. Here, you will witness firsthand the vital role of primary care pediatricians in their communities, schools, and hospitals, gaining a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape in our state.

At MHMMC, you are more than just a resident – you are a trusted primary care physician for your own panel of pediatric patients. Whether you are caring for newborns in the nursery or providing ongoing support to families from diverse backgrounds in our resident clinic, you will learn to deliver culturally competent care that addresses not only medical needs but also social determinants of health and resiliency-building.

Our culture is one of collaboration and respect, creating a supportive learning environment from the wards to the classroom. From day one, you'll be treated as an integral part of the healthcare team, with faculty who value your autonomy. You will readily find guidance and mentorship among our general pediatric and subspecialty faculty who are genuinely invested in your education and well-being.

Beyond the hospital walls, our residents are actively involved in the community, and advocating for children's rights at the state capitol. We also enjoy taking advantage of all that Maine has to offer – from learning to surf along the breathtaking Maine coastline, to sharing a meal and laughs at our annual lobster bake. But perhaps the most special aspect of our program is the sense of camaraderie and friendship that quickly develops among residents, who become not just colleagues but family.

It is truly a privilege to serve as the pediatric chief resident this year. Thank you for taking the time to learn about our program, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Wishing you the best of luck - I hope to get to know you as you embark on the application process!

Julia Oppenheimer, MD (She/Her)

Pediatric Chief Resident 2024-2025