Neonatal Physician Assistant Residency Program
- Curriculum
- Benefits
- Location & Living
- Leadership
- Apply
A Look Into Our Neonatal PA Residency
Neonatal Bootcamp
The first two weeks of training provide a general overview of neonatal concepts and an introduction to the Nemours Neonatology and Partnership programs. Bootcamp will include:
- Didactic lectures with a focus on core neonatal topics
- perinatal physiology, common newborn problems, fluids/electrolytes/nutrition, ventilator management, blood gas interpretation, patient presentation practice, palliative care
- Simulation lab to provide hands-on learning of common NICU procedures and resuscitation skills
- STABLE certification
- Complete onboarding
- Visit and tour clinical sites
Clinical Rotations
At each clinical site, the Neonatal PA Resident will be precepted by experienced neonatal APP mentors who will guide them through expected clinical competencies.
- Shadowing NCH neonatal nurses
- Introduce the NICU from a nursing perspective
- Nursing skills: PIV, NG tube, urinary catheterization, thermoregulation, developmental care
- Well Newborn Medicine
- Provide a background in basic newborn assessment and care.
- Community NICU Rotations
- Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital and HCA Florida Osceola Hospital
- Delivery centers, high risk delivery, well baby nursery, and Level 2-3 NICUs
- Nemours Children’s Hospital
- Level 4 NICU, neonatal critical care transport, developmental follow up clinic
- Rotation will include:
- Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
- Congenital Cardiac Disease
- Elective
- Additional area of focus or repeat of delivery room rotation
Didactics
Weekly learning sessions will include lectures, journal clubs, simulations, and skills training. Teaching will be provided by multidisciplinary neonatal faculty including:
- Neonatologists and subspecialists
- Physician Assistants and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
- Dieticians
- Nurses and Lactation specialists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Therapists from speech, occupational, physical therapy
- Psychologists/Social Workers
Benefits
Full time employee benefits
- 403(b) retirement plan
- PTO (4 weeks)
- Numerous CME opportunities
- Health insurance
- Malpractice insurance
- DEA reimbursement
You will also recieve meal vouchers to use in our cafeteria.
About Our Hospital in Florida
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida (NCHFL) is a state-of-the-art freestanding pediatric tertiary care facility located in Orlando’s Lake Nona Medical City. The hospital is part of Nemours Children’s Health and funded by the Nemours Foundation. The hospital is currently operating 130 inpatient beds serving pediatric patients from birth to 18 years as well as a 20-bed Emergency Department that served over 40,000 visits during the past academic year. The institution has more than 180 pediatric medical and surgical faculty physicians caring for an incredibly vulnerable and diverse patient population from across central Florida.
As an institution, NCHFL has received national recognition for its quality, safety and technology infrastructure as evidenced by receiving the Leapfrog Group Award 5 times since opening its doors. Furthermore, NCH has made the "Most Wired" list on multiple occasions and has been designated as a Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Stage 7 organization, which acknowledges the highest level of achievement awarded to an organization in regard to improving patient safety, increasing patient satisfaction, support of the clinical teams and ensuring data security.
Virtual Tour of Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida
Get a sense of what it's like at our amazing hospital.
Living in Orlando’s Lake Nona Medical City
Just steps from the hospital doors, you’ll discover the beautiful Lake Nona Town Center, which serves as the hub of Lake Nona. As a regional shopping and entertainment destination, Lake Nona Town Center has a distinct pulse where residents and visitors gather to socialize and unwind. It serves as the perfect fit for both young single professionals and families alike. The Town Center features boutiques, hotels, public art and event venues to inspire and delight. This modern-day entertainment destination includes the Lake Nona Wave Hotel — the world’s most technologically-advanced hotel, the Lake Nona Performance Club, world-renowned art collection on display in the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden, multiple office buildings, Courtyard by Marriott® and Residence Inn, parking garages defined by iconic art installations, Boxi Park at Lake Nona, Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, Park Pizza & Brewing Co., Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, Ivory Salon and The Master Barber Experience, and more.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is the most-visited city in the nation. It’s the home of Walt Disney World®, Universal Studios, SeaWorld® Orlando, Disney Springs, and Downtown Orlando — all accessible by car within 30 minutes of Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida.
Orlando is much more than a tourist destination for theme parks. It is exploding with art and culture. The Dr. Phillips Center hosts ballet, opera, comedy, musicals, jazz and theater. There is dining ranging from James Beard award-winning chefs preparing meals for a sophisticated palate to the food truck scene with adventurous culinary delights. Orlando is home to the Orlando Magic, Orlando City Soccer Club, and hosts many national and international sporting competitions. The Orlando Museum of Art tops the list of museums in the area, but there are photography, folk art and sculpture exhibitions throughout the region.
These are just a few of the reasons that Forbes and U.S. News & World Report have ranked it among the top cities to live. Among the varied communities, you’ll find everything from devoutly religious to casually spiritual. Also, Orlando is one of the fastest growing Spanish-speaking cities in America. There’s also celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community, with plenty of events, like Gay Days at Disney World.
There is no state income tax in Florida. For more data about living in Orlando, such as current details on housing costs and school rankings, go to Sperling’s Best Places.
NCHFL is conveniently located 7 miles from Orlando International Airport. In less than 1 hour, you can escape to Cocoa Beach, embark on a cruise from Port Canaveral, or launch a boat in one of Central Florida’s many nature-rich lakes. The day trips described on Florida Backroads Travel can all be reached within 100 miles. View them at your leisure at Florida Backroads Travel.
Leadership
Meet Our Leadership
Rebecca Tillery, PA-C
Neonatology APP Manager, Neonatal PA Residency Program Director
APP educational leads at each partnership site:
- Osceola — Julianne VanLaningham, APRN NNP-BC
- Tradition — Nicole Thompson-Bowie, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC
- UCFLN/Oviedo — Christine Girard, APRN, NNP-BC
Physician Support:
- Jane Ierardi, MD, MBA, FAAP, CPE
Chief Partnership Officer, Florida - Caroline Chua, MD
Nemours Children’s Health, Florida
NICU Medical Director
How to Apply
Application Requirements
- Complete Nemours Children’s Health Neonatal PA Residency Program application.
- Include a 1-page typed personal statement describing yourself, your background and why you desire a career in neonatology.
- Include a copy of your current CV.
- Submit three letters of professional recommendation on behalf of your application; one must be from your program director. May be sent via email to rebecca.tillery@nemours.org or as part of the application packet.
- Please send your completed application with the above documents to: michelle.pizarro@nemours.org
If necessary to submit as regular mail, please send to this address:
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida
c/o Rebecca Tillery, PA-C
6535 Nemours Parkway
Orlando, FL 32827 - If you a have any questions regarding our program, you may email rebecca.tillery@nemours.org
Important Dates
Application Window: March 1–April 30
Interview Dates: May
Selection Notification: Early June
Commitment Deadline: June 30
Start Date: October 1