FAQs
What is the history of Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children as a training institution?
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children has educated residents and medical students for many years. In addition to our own residents, IFHC is responsible for the training of visiting residents, from programs which include Georgetown Pediatrics, Fairfax Family Practice, Dewitt Army Family Practice, Georgetown Transitional, and George Washington Emergency Medicine.
Third year medical students from the University of Virginia, the Virginia Commonwealth University, and Georgetown University may complete their pediatric clerkship by rotating through the inpatient unit at the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. As such, all inpatient interns have the responsibility to educate and mentor third year students. Fourth year medical students from a wide range of medical schools are trained and supervised by senior residents.
How often are residents on call? What about weekends?
Residents are on call every fourth night for four blocks during for their first year of training. Second and third year residents rotate through Night Team to cover the inpatient unit during the week and are on call selected weekends as well. During ICU blocks, residents are on call every fourth night. Residents who are not on call on the weekend need not come in.
How many days of vacation do residents receive?
Residents receive two two-week blocks in addition to winter break. The program does not guarantee that one's choices will be granted, but the past several years everyone has received one of their first two choices.
Where do residents live? What is the quality of life?
The Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., area offers many housing options, including urban apartments, suburban houses and more rural areas. Most residents live within a 20-mile radius of the hospital. As Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is located near the Capital beltway [I-495], the hospital is accessible from all directions. Northern Virginia continues to experience explosive growth, partly as result of the thriving computer/technology economy. Fairfax County also boasts one of the finest public school systems in the nation and is an excellent place to raise a family.
What do residents do during their time off?
The Washington, D.C., region offers unlimited access to political, cultural, historical and educational opportunities. Located 10 minutes from the Washington Metro, IFHC is a short metro ride from the Capitol, the AAP headquarters, a multitude of galleries and museums, the Smithsonian, and the Kennedy Center for the Arts. Excellent restaurants of all genres are plentiful. Professional sports teams, including the Redskins, Capitals, Wizards, Nationals, and D.C. United, play home games in the area.
Ideally located on the eastern seaboard, both beaches and mountains are readily accessible for travel and exploration. Three major airports service the area. Residents get together at least monthly for happy hour, with a multitude of informal events happening weekly. Annual traditions include the resident-only-retreat and the senior resident boat cruise, as well as residents-vs-attendings softball, soccer, and volleyball games.
