Medical Student Education

The Department of Pediatrics is committed to providing outstanding education in pediatrics for all medical students.

Throughout a medical student’s course of study, Duke Pediatrics provides an unsurpassed educational experience focused on children.

Students will encounter members of the Department of Pediatrics during first-year courses, including the Clinical Immersion course. Moving into their second year, all students will complete a four-week rotation in the pediatric clerkship, providing opportunities to engage with children and families at Duke Children’s Hospital and DRH nursery. As part of the PIONEER curriculum, students engage in longitudinal ambulatory experiences, including diverse ambulatory clinics. Many faculty members lead active research programs and serve as mentors for third-year students. During the final year of medical school, there are electives in almost every aspect of pediatrics.

While we recognize that some students will not pursue careers that include the care of children, almost all students will take care of children during their residencies, and we want to make sure each student is prepared for that experience. Students are encouraged to contact any faculty members within the department – we would like to get to know you and share our enthusiasm for the care of children.

Second Year

Learn more about the core pediatric clerkship, as well as some of the other clinical experiences available to second-year students.

Third Year

Learn about some of the research opportunities in pediatrics available to third-year medical students.

Fourth Year

Read a brief description of the electives available during the fourth year. 

Pediatric Interest Group

Find out about student-run Pediatric Interest Group activities and how you can participate. 

Visiting Student Program

Get details about the Visiting Medical Student Program from the Office of the Registrar in the Duke University School of Medicine.

Virtual Pediatric Experience

The Duke University Department of Pediatrics is now accepting applications for our underrepresented in medicine virtual visiting student rotation for the 2024-25 academic year. Please follow the link for details. 

Samrat Umasankar Das, MBBS
Director, Pediatric Medical Student Education
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Hospital Medicine
samrat.das@duke.edu

Jennifer DeCoste, MD (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Associate Director of Undergraduate Medical Education in Pediatrics
Director, Pediatric Sub-Internship
Faculty Advisor, Pathway to Pediatrics Program
jennifer.decoste@duke.edu

Andrea Young
Senior Coordinator, 
Pediatric Undergraduate Medical Education
Box 2801 DUMC
Durham, NC 27710
Tel: 919.681.8835
andrea.s.young@duke.edu