171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
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October 2006
Letter From Our Chair
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L. Lyndon Key, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Pediatrics |
Dear faculty, Children's Hospital staff and other friends,
Over the past 15 years, there has been a marked change in demographics. In 2006, 80 percent of pediatric applicants were women. The American Board of
Pediatrics provides the following statistics for the past 15 years:
In many industries and training programs, there has been little consideration of the stresses that women, especially young mothers, must face. This year,
we have started a pilot program that will allow male and female residents to purchase childcare while working during early infancy. For women, the plan
will provide a maximum of 12 weeks of maternity leave (under existing guidelines, only three months of vacation/leave may be taken by residents unless
there is a compelling reason to petition the board of pediatrics). If a resident who is a mother is out of work for the full 12 weeks, then 20 weeks of
daycare funding will be paid into a MoneyPlus, tax free savings account for paying for daycare. Since most residents already budget for daycare funding
at a commercial daycare facility, this could make it possible for residents to hire a home daycare worker. If a resident comes back before the end of
the 12 weeks (useful to the resident if additional time off will be needed), the department will increase the daycare funding up to six weeks if the
resident takes a maternity leave lasting only six weeks. For fathers, the same provisions will be offered, but based upon 6 weeks paternity leave plus
20 weeks of daycare funding. For males, up to 26 weeks could be awarded if no paternity leave is taken (again saving leave time).
Why do we want to do this?
- Pediatricians should structure a program that helps to optimize a stable environment in which to take care of infants. This limits the guilt
that can be a part of having to return to work.
- There is no daycare facility on campus. The option to keep a child at home during the first 32 weeks is very appealing and safer than many
commercial daycare facilities.
- We all understand that when a peer is out on leave for any reason, call schedules are much more difficult for the remaining residents. This
should help to shorten the length of leave overall, but still with the option to take the full amount of leave allowed. This program will reduce
absences by working parents when they have a sick child (since commercial daycare does not usually provide "sick care").
The pediatric department leadership feels that we should offer split residency positions, however, this has not been done at MUSC, and will take time
to go through the approval process. Ultimately, it is our hope that family-friendly environments will be available for all our employees in the department of
pediatrics, and the Children's Hospital.
Sincerely,
L. Lyndon Key, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
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