The Advocacy Track is a resident-driven curriculum for those residents interested in further developing their skills as a child health advocate. Residents in the track identify a committee that aligns most with their advocacy interests but are expected to be participatory in activities from all three committees.
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
- Mr. Rogers
Mission
The advocacy program will provide all pediatric residents education on key advocacy topics applicable in their careers as pediatricians. In addition, we offer an advocacy rotation and advocacy track for residents who choose to deepen their education on advocacy at the individual, community, and legislative level.
Components of the Advocacy Track
Community Committee
Dedicated to identifying and learning about community organizations and developing partnerships with them through fundraising events and volunteering.
Action Committee
Responsible for coordinating events and education about injury prevention and legislative advocacy.
Education Committee
Organizes education events for the track including the Summer Advocacy Lecture Series, journal club, and our annual retreat.
Advocacy Elective
Two to four week elective available to all pediatric residents with a menu of legislative, community/injury prevention, and didactic activities, and volunteering with community partners to create a schedule customized to the resident's advocacy interests.
Core Elements of the Advocacy Curriculum for All Residents
- Intern Community Orientation Day: During intern orientation, a full day is dedicated to educating intern residents about the community they serve. Topics covered include factors affecting health outcomes, access to education, language and communication barriers, economic challenges, societal influences, and community safety. The day also includes a volunteer experience.
- Advocacy Morning Reports/Half Day Session: Throughout the year, morning reports are held on key advocacy topics. Often, they host special guests, promote department-wide discussion, and broaden our knowledge and reach of patient care. Examples from the past include, accessing WIC, voter registration and voter suppression, navigating the post-Roe world as pediatricians, and period poverty.
- SCAAP Legislative Day: Residents on elective will be invited to join residents from other pediatric residencies in South Carolina at the State House to learn more about legislative advocacy and speak with legislators about topics important to child health.
- Advocacy Checklist: Similar to a procedure checklist, this longitudinal tracking tool will allow the program and resident to monitor engagement in advocacy activities.
- Summer Advocacy Lecture Series: Annual lecture series that features local and nationally recognized speakers on pertinent advocacy topics. Residents assist in topic selection, presenting, community organization spotlights, and organizing the resident choice lectures.
Application Process
All interns will be given information about the track and details regarding specific requirements shortly after arrival at MUSC. Interested residents will be invited to submit an application during January of their intern year. Approval for participation must be granted by the Residency Program Director and the Advocacy Track Program Director. Residents approved for participation will then be assigned a mentor.
To Learn More
Contact Dr. Betsy Oddo, director of the Advocacy Track, at oddoe@musc.edu.
