Clinic Department

Pediatrics

Welcome to the PSM Department of Pediatrics

The Department of Pediatrics at the Ponce School of Medicine addresses issues unique to childhood and adolescence in our community. As a primary care focus Medical School, our Pediatric Department is dedicated to train future health professionals who are knowledgeable in childhood disease prevention, treatment, research, and advocacy. Our clerkships emphasize growth and development, the principles of health promotion, and the prevention of disease and injury. Students are expected to recognize and manage common pediatric health problems, as well as uncommon, significant problems that impact the health of children. Effective clinical data gathering, problem solving, diagnosis and management skills are emphasized. Appropriate professional behaviors and attitudes are modeled, encouraged, and required. As one of the core clerkships in our Institution we have the responsibility to teach the competencies that characterize a non-specialized physician, while stimulating in students’ the interest and dedication to community involvement and primary care careers. Through the incorporation of evidence-based medicine principles in the third and fourth year rotations, we prepare students for a future of high quality practice and promote life-long learning attitudes and skills.

The GOAL of the Pediatric Department is to provide the competencies to medical students and residents so they are well versed in all aspects of caring for sick and well children by integrating the art and science of pediatric medicine.
 

Educational Objectives:

• To develop the communication skills that will facilitate clinical interactions with children, adolescents and their families; and to ensure that a complete and accurate clinical data are obtained.
• To develop competency in the physical examination of infants, children and adolescents.
• To acquire the basic knowledge of growth and development (physical, physiologic and psychosocial) and its clinical implications from birth through adolescence.
• To develop strategies for health promotion, as well as disease and injury prevention.
• To acquire knowledge of common acute and chronic illnesses, and significant clinical problems that affect children, and to develop the clinical problem solving skills to effectively diagnose and manage these problems.
• To develop the attitudes and professional behaviors appropriate for clinical practice.

Pediatric Department Mission

• To provide leadership and excellence in the following: Patient care, Education, Research and Child Advocacy in the Southern-West region in Puerto Rico.

• To provide high quality education and training to medical students in the field of general pediatric and adolescent medicine; so, they have an understanding of the unique needs and special skills required to manage the health and welfare of children.

• To provide services to our children as to facilitate the medical education of the residents and students to take place.

• To engage in research to improve the clinical care of the children of the southern region of Puerto Rico; therefore, to support the education and service components of The Ponce School of Medicine.

Pediatrics Administration

• Ivonne E. Galarza, MD. FAAP
  Chairperson

Message from the Chairperson

Welcome to the web site for the Department of Pediatrics of Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico. “As a primary care focus medical School, our Pediatric Department is dedicated to train future health professionals who are knowledgeable in childhood disease prevention, treatment, research, and advocacy. Our approachable and knowledgeable faculty is always developing tools to prepare future leaders in pediatric medicine.

We are particularly proud of our faculty, many of whom have received national and international recognition for their accomplishments. Faculty who have been elected to leadership roles in professional societies, serve as editors of pediatric journals, and are the recipients of AAP Grants through several community projects with our Pediatric Residency Program at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.

Our faculty members offer broad-evidence-based training in general pediatrics, critical care and pediatric subspecialties within a variety of ambulatory, inpatient and community settings. As a Primary Care Program, we emphasize professionalism and social involvement with Pediatric Associations and Community based programs addressing asthma, obesity and injury prevention.

The Goals and Objectives of our Pediatric Clerkship at PSM are derived from the 2005 revision of COMSEP general pediatric clerkship curriculum. Our medical students have the opportunity to participate during their second year ICS course with our faculty, as preceptors; to learn growth and development, pediatric history and physical. For those students interested in pediatrics, they can join the Pediatric Interest Group, were they can participate in several community projects, like our Teddy Bear Hospital (CATCH Grant through the AAP and the pediatric residency program at HESL in Ponce, P. R.). This program is now part of our curriculum where our students are able to practice communication skills with young children, while providing anticipatory guidance to our school children and teachers. In this way, our Departments’ main goal is to create the next generation of Pediatric caregivers.”
 

OUR FACULTY, RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS

! WELCOMES YOU!
 

• Yvonne Blasini Vega, MD, ABP
  Undergraduate Coordinator & Clerkship Director

•  Luisa Alvarado, MD, AFAP
  Graduate Coordinator & Residency Training Director

Interim Chairperson: