Children's Wisconsin
At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe that kids deserve the best. We provide the highest-quality primary and specialty health care for children in the state, while supporting educational and research initiatives to bring that care to the next level.
That’s why we want you here. We need people like you who understand our passion and know how to put patients and their families first. It’s what we look for in every person we hire — from the faculty, who bring the academic expertise we need and the residents and fellows we train, to the nurses who strengthen everything we do, and the administrative and support staff who make it all possible.
At Children’s Wisconsin, our singular focus is providing the best care possible for every child and family that comes through our doors. Kids deserve to be physically and mentally healthy. Kids deserve to feel seen and heard. Kids deserve the best.
Children’s Wisconsin has been named a Top Workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel every year since 2010.
Learn Our Story
Since the day we were founded in 1894 as Milwaukee’s Free Hospital, we’ve always been there for Wisconsin’s kids — and we always will be.
But that’s not our whole story.
Our story includes 9-year-old Takiya, whose emotional outbursts and social struggles were getting in the way of learning until she got mental health care right down the hall from her classroom in one of our school-based mental health clinics.
Our story includes our pediatric pulmonary medicine team, who first recognized the signs of vaping-related illness in teenagers, setting off a national health alert about e-cigarettes.
Our story includes 15-year-old Ashana, who was adopted
by her forever family through our foster and adoption care services.
Our story includes 100+ primary care physicians in the Children’s Primary Care practice, who have re-visioned the well-child appointment to include a visit with a mental and behavioral health provider.
Our story includes 8-year-old Milosz, who gets support from our Educational Achievement Partnership Program through our Herma Heart Institute, helping his teachers understand the connection between his heart defects and behavioral struggles to ensure academic and social success.
Our story includes care for kids in so many ways: in the hospital and in primary care, in the Emergency Department and in a therapist’s office, through a digital health offering or at a school nurse’s office, through our child advocacy efforts or our health insurance plans. It includes the parents who work alongside us and the donors and advocates who support our work.
We are more than a hospital and a health system — we are a community of caregivers dedicated to making Wisconsin’s kids the healthiest in the nation.
We need you to help us continue our mission.
Children’s Wisconsin Values and Guiding Behaviors
Our five values guide and inspire us. The guiding behaviors describe how we pursue our vision and mission. These actions demonstrate our passion, and show how much we care for and about children and families.
Purpose
We act in service of children and families.
Collaboration
We work together to care for and about children, families and each other.
Integrity
We build confidence and trust in all interactions.
Health
We are at our best.
Innovation
We commit to improvement with breakthrough ideas and solutions.
The Medical College of Wisconsin
Since 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin has been a leader in patient care, research, education and community engagement. The Medical College brings together the most inquisitive minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to solve the toughest challenges in health and society today. Academic medicine is at the core, where scientists, physicians and students work hand in hand with the community to ask the questions no one else is and fuel the continuous cycle of knowledge that’s shaping the future of medicine.
Pediatric Residency and Fellowship Programs
The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Pediatric Residency and Fellowship Programs offer a unique training opportunity designed to help you become an accomplished pediatrician who can deliver patient-centered, quality care.
Our programs provide deep learning and experiences in all areas of children’s health, yet still ensure that our residents have the time and support to pursue their individual interest in one of six tracks: primary care, hospital medicine, global health, subspecialty, career identification and hybrid (which combines elements of several tracks).
When you come to the Medical College of Wisconsin for your residency or fellowship, you will encounter the full range of pediatric practices, from large, community-based general practices to inpatient subspecialty teams providing cutting-edge care. You will work with a world-class faculty of clinicians, educators and physician-scientists pursuing basic, translational and clinical research.
Pediatric Residency
You will also benefit from:
- Excellent career opportunities. We believe that it is imperative that residents have plenty of time to enjoy family, friends and life outside the hospital, that residents have significant input into the future direction of the program, and that the unique needs and career aspirations of each individual resident are encouraged and supported. Our residents leave our program extremely well-prepared to work in primary care, practice hospital medicine or enter fellowship. Our graduates obtain positions in the most competitive practices and fellowships in the country.
- Personalized training for Board exams. Our Board pass rate is higher than the national average thanks to our SURFboards (Strategic Unified Regimen for Passing the Boards) program: a seven-element comprehensive Board preparation curriculum that spans your three years of training.
- Supportive research infrastructure. This includes the ability to spend up to three months on research electives, access to a mentor database to identify projects and faculty support, research opportunities through the Children’s Research Institute and an annual Resident and Fellow Research Day to present your work and stipends to travel to national meetings.
- Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Training. This includes a three-year comprehensive curriculum, your choice of a mentored small group Quality Improvement project, an annual Resident Quality Improvement Day to present your work and stipends to travel to national meetings.
- Advocacy training. Through the Center for the Advancement of Underserved Children and a resident-led/program-supported advocacy committee, you receive training to perform community advocacy for your patients, their families and their neighbors.
- Comprehensive mentorship team. This team comprises faculty advisors, career mentors, program directors and chief residents. They provide individualized support to help you meet and exceed your goals.
- Emphasis on self-care. You can’t care for your patients if you don’t first care for yourself. That’s why we offer an innovative, evidence-based wellness program.
Fellowship Programs Offered at the Medical College of Wisconsin
The following fellowship programs are available to physicians who have completed their basic residency training:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Anesthesiology-Pain Combined
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Medical Genetics
- Pediatric Epilepsy
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Combined
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Adolescent Medicine
- Advanced Congenital Cardiology Non-Invasive Imaging
- Child Advocacy and Protection
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Neonatal-Perinatal
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplant
- Pediatric Hospital Medicine
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Pediatric Neuroradiology
- Pediatric Radiology
- Pediatric Urology
- Pediatric Surgery
Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program
About Our Program
At Children’s Wisconsin and The Medical College of Wisconsin, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, anesthesiologist assistants and certified nurse anesthetists, commonly referred to collectively as Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), are pediatric clinical providers who provide specialized, expert care to all patient populations at the hospital and within the pediatric enterprise.
We employ more than 300 APPs across a variety of 38 subspecialties at the Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee Hospital, Fox Valley Hospital and nine regional locations. APPs provide care within the intensive care units, inpatient medical and surgical units, operating rooms, Emergency Department and all outpatient subspecialty clinics within the pediatric enterprise, including primary care, urgent care and specialty care centers.
All APPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program and have advanced clinical training to prepare them with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice in all health care settings. To ensure the highest quality of care, APPs are required to undergo rigorous national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations and adhere to a code for ethical practices. Self-directed continued learning and professional development is also essential to maintaining clinical competency.
Additionally, to promote quality health care and improve clinical outcomes, APPs lead and participate in both professional and lay health care forums, conduct research, work on quality improvement initiatives and apply findings to clinical practice.
APP Pediatric Specialty Fellowship Program
The APPFA-accredited APP Pediatric Specialty Fellowship is an innovative 12-month training program that teaches APP fellows to become highly skilled in the multidisciplinary, collaborative and evidence-based management of a variety of pediatric patient populations. It attracts NPs and PAs seeking a structured educational program to support and guide their development of proficient clinical decision-making and their application of specialized skills in the care of the pediatric patient through in-person didactics, online classrooms, simulation, proctored procedures and mentored clinical experiences.
Benefits of this program include:
- An intense, quality onboarding and training experience in complex, quaternary pediatric subspecialty patient care providing the time, exposure, hands-on learning and mentorship for novice APPs to promote a successful transition to practice
- Guided learning in mentored clinical rotations across many clinical areas, including inpatient and outpatient rotations in both medical and surgical specialties
- Exposure to interprofessional roles, APP contributions to team-based care and a variety of pediatric specialty patient populations
- Professional and leadership development to enhance confidence in transition to practice, promote resiliency, encourage personal growth and prepare APPs to navigate the complex and ever-changing health care environment
- Opportunity provided to develop a wide range of clinical and critical thinking skills and professional development with application across diverse clinical specialties
APP fellows receive a stipend, educational funds, standard Medical College of Wisconsin APP benefits and post-fellowship recruitment opportunities.
Getting You Where You Want to Be and Beyond
Developing excellence requires investing in our students’ academic endeavors, mentoring them in their career trajectory and creating an atmosphere that encourages them to focus on both their health and well-being so they can continue taking care of others. Opportunities include:
- Professional coaching. These coaches support you in leveraging your strengths in your current role and planning for your future.
- Career development program. This includes 360 evaluations, coaching and conflict resolution training.
- Competitive salary and benefits. Including health, vision, dental, flexible spending for health care and dependent day care, EAP, 403(b) plan, vacation time, tuition reimbursement and more.
Both Children’s Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin are routinely named by Forbes among the best places to work in Wisconsin, both often ranking in the top 20.
Our Commitment to Mental Health and Well-Being
The Medical College of Wisconsin recognizes the important work and multiple responsibilities of our faculty and staff and is committed to supporting their well-being. As part of this commitment, a multitude of resources are provided and encouraged, including the Well-Being Index, literature and research, courses, webinars and peer support programs.
Our Commitment to The Medical College of Wisconsin Values
All of our endeavors at the Medical College of Wisconsin, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: acting in caring ways, engaging in collaborative efforts, approaching our world with curiosity, advancing inclusive practices, demonstrating integrity in all we do and treating everyone with respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives through merit-based processes, and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at the Medical College of Wisconsin. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then the Medical College of Wisconsin is the place for you.
Children's Research Institute
Children’s Research Institute (CRI), a collaboration that includes Children’s Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Marquette University College of Nursing and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing, represents the most powerful concentration of pediatric research in the region. Our researchers collaborate with experts and organizations on both a regional and national level to develop new treatments, interventions and diagnostic tools for congenital, acute and chronic pediatric conditions.
Our focus is on translational research, so we can bring discoveries from the laboratory to our patients as quickly as possible. With annual averages of more than 1,000 active clinical trials and more than $25 million in external funding, the researchers at the CRI are developing new treatments, methods and diagnostic tools for congenital, acute and chronicpediatric conditions.
Our Research is Divided Into Four Units:
- Developmental genetics and genomics research. Researchers here seek to harness the power of the human genome to identify the underlying genetic contributors to diseases like diabetes and inherited kidney conditions, among others.
- Infection, inflammation and immunity research. This research ranges from basic science studies that dissect essential genetic programs to clinical studies that test new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of immunologically mediated diseases. This includes translational research related to the gut microbiome and its connection to inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Vascular biology and hematology research. Here, our researchers are bringing new understanding to the areas of bleeding disorders, sickle cell disease and congenital heart disease, as well as exciting work in developmental vascular biology.
- Patient-centered research. This includes the MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which provides bench-to-bedside resources to transform cancer research for the next generation of children. The focus here is on clinical effectiveness, outcomes and community health and prevention.
Getting the Grant
Research is the heart of academic medicine. But research cannot be done without funding. The Medical College of Wisconsin ranks in the Top 100 out of 20,000 research institutions in the nation. We want you to be part of that success. Thus, we are committed to providing grant-writing support, including grant-writing retreats, where you can learn the latest about NIH grants, work on grant submissions and have the submission reviewed.
Our Commitment to Mental Health
Children’s Wisconsin is committed to addressing the mental and behavioral health crisis facing our children. Right now, one in five children is living with a serious mental illness and Wisconsin’s youth suicide rate remains significantly higher than most of the United States. In fact, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among kids.
- Mental Health Walk-In Clinics: Provide same-day care for children and teens experiencing urgent mental health issues as an alternative to traditional urgent care and emergency room services.
- Increased access: Children’s Wisconsin has nearly 60 mental and behavioral health locations across the state and offers mental and behavioral health services in 80 schools across Wisconsin.
- Project Ujima: This program works to stop the cycle of violent crimes through crisis intervention and case management, social and emotional support, youth development and mentoring, and mental health and medical services.
About Milwaukee
Located in the southeast corner of Wisconsin along Lake Michigan and just 90 miles north of Chicago, Milwaukee has all the advantages of a large, vibrant city but without the stress or cost. Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and has an urban/suburban vibe, youthful population and relatively low cost of living for a large metro area. The cost of living in Milwaukee is slightly below average for cities in the United States and is significantly lower than many major metropolitan areas in the country. Milwaukee is home to a bustling nightlife, award-winning restaurants, lakefront museums and a thriving music and arts scene.
Milwaukee’s Higher Education System
Nationally recognized public and private school systems in the Milwaukee region are committed to accelerating student achievement and building positive relationships. International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, dual language programs and charter schools focused on science/technology, arts and environmental sciences provide additional options for students with specialized interests. These include nationally recognized universities, colleges, technical schools and specialty schools, including the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.
Photos by VISIT Milwaukee
Awards
American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner
As an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Quality Partner, Children’s Wisconsin is committed to the highest standards of surgical care. This designation reflects our proven record of adhering to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality — to minimize complications, improve outcomes and save lives.
Children’s Wisconsin is also an ACS-verified Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center. This is the highest level of distinction for hospitals that perform complex surgical procedures in newborns, children and teens. Children’s Wisconsin is the highest-rated pediatric surgical center in Wisconsin.
U.S. News
The U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals list ranked Children’s Wisconsin No. 1 in Wisconsin and among the best in the nation in five specialties. Children’s Wisconsin is the only health system in Wisconsin with the depth of services to achieve this level of recognition in U.S. News & World Report for pediatric specialty care.
Radiology/Imaging
In late 2024, the Radiology Program at Children’s Wisconsin was designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. This designation means that Children’s Wisconsin demonstrates the infrastructure, policies and procedures required to assure consistently high-quality care and service.
The Radiology Program at Children’s Wisconsin was first designated in 2015, and also successfully renewed this designation in 2018 and 2021.
Pathology
The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) awarded accreditation to the Pathology Program at Children’s Wisconsin. This accreditation is based on results of a recent on-site inspection conducted by CAP inspectors, which included practicing pathology and laboratory medicine professionals. Programs are judged on the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures, as well as staff qualifi cations, equipment, facilities, safety program and record and overall management.
Magnet
In 2025, Children’s Wisconsin earned the highly coveted Magnet Recognition Program status for the fi fth consecutive time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet designation is granted every four years to those organizations that demonstrate sustained excellence in nursing care.
What makes this fifth Magnet designation especially exciting is that it validates the quality and standards of care in all areas where nursing is practiced at Children’s Wisconsin: our Milwaukee and Fox Valley hospitals, specialty and primary care clinics and community and school-based nursing environments.
Children’s Wisconsin now joins the ranks of an elite group of health systems across the globe. Fewer than 3% of health systems worldwide have received Magnet designation, with just 80 organizations — less than .5% — achieving this honor five times.
Magnet status is the highest level of formal recognition for nursing excellence and is considered the gold standard for hospitals. Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee was one of the first pediatric hospitals to achieve this status when it first achieved Magnet designation in 2004.
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