Welcome from the Program Director

Welcome to the Pediatrics residency program at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey, a state-of-the-art child- and family-friendly facility and principal teaching hospital for the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

This program is designed to provide its residents a strong foundation in primary care pediatrics as well as broad, in-depth exposure to all pediatric subspecialties, making our graduates equally well prepared for careers in general pediatric practice or in academics. The volume and variety of patients, a well-structured and comprehensive teaching program, and our emphasis on the resident’s responsibility for patient care ensure that trainees will be exceptionally competent, confident pediatricians at the conclusion of three years, capable of managing acute life-threatening and chronic illness as well as providing standard-of-care health maintenance.

Program graduates are highly successful in securing competitive fellowship positions or choice practice appointments, depending on their individual career goals. Program leadership aims to provide its residents the highest quality pediatric training while maintaining awareness of their need to grow as individuals and their commitments as family members. All rotations will be completed at the Children’s Hospital and its nearby ambulatory facilities. You will learn under the guidance and supervision of more than 100 full-time, experienced and enthusiastic faculty in general pediatrics and all pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties who genuinely enjoy their interactions with residents and students. We are fortunate to be supported by top-notch pediatric professionals in nursing, pharmacy, social work, nutrition, radiology, respiratory therapy and child life, amongst others. We have a long-standing commitment to promoting diversity in the pediatric workforce through recruitment of under-represented minorities in medicine. 
We are looking for a few good people who love to learn, welcome challenge, embrace diversity and aspire to excellence. We promise at the completion of three years you’ll be ready for the career of your choice, and you’ll have made a difference in the lives of many children. Come join us!

Susan G. Mautone, M.D., FAAP
Program Director

Learning Environment

• Full service state-designated Children’s Hospital 

• General, Hem/Onc and Epilepsy Monitoring inpatient units

• 48-bed Level III NICU

• 15-bed PICU

• Five pediatric ambulatory centers on or near campus

• 30 pediatric subspecialties

• 100+ full-time faculty in general pediatrics and all pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties

• Resident representation on departmental and hospital committees

• Incredible variety and volume of patients

Program Leadership

Susan G. Mautone, M.D., FAAP
Program Director

Katharine Clouser, M.D., FAAP
Associate Program Director

Judy Aschner, M.D.
Chair, Department of Pediatrics

Program Mission Statement

In alignment with the mission of Hackensack Meridian Health, the mission of the HUMC pediatric residency program is to produce competent, compassionate, collaborative, creative and courageous general pediatricians who are able to provide comprehensive, coordinated, patient-centered care to the diverse pediatric population served by HUMC and are equally well-prepared to enter general pediatric practice or pursue fellowship training. To further its mission, the program is committed to enhancing diversity in the pediatrician workforce through recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority trainees and faculty.

Program Aims

The program's aims are to: 1. Provide a comprehensive 3-year curriculum which enables residents to learn to competently and confidently care for the spectrum of ages and diagnoses in the pediatric population, including providing high-quality health maintenance and attention to quality improvement and patient safety, in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. 2. Offer training experiences which will sensitize residents to the unique needs of underserved and/or medically complex infants, children and adolescents. 3. Provide experiential, community-based learning which will lead trainees to embrace the role of the pediatrician as advocate for the health of children within his/her community. 4. Train residents to be effective communicators, co-managers and leaders in addressing health inequities and providing evidence-based care for patients and communities. 5. Recruit, train and graduate pediatricians of diverse backgrounds and life experiences who are lifelong learners, adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, demonstrate cultural humility and competence, and are equally well prepared to enter primary care practice or subspecialty training.

Program Video

Living and Working in the NJ/NY Metro Area

With views of the New York City skyline from our medical center’s campus, residents can enjoy all of the perks that living in the NJ/NY metro area has to offer. 

Conveniently located near many major highways and public transportation options, Hackensack University Medical Center is a short ride from the Hoboken and Jersey City waterfront on this side of the Hudson, and a quick trip to Manhattan. This offers you endless options for experiencing cultural activities, concerts, theater, nightlife and cuisine. Surrounded by suburbs with excellent school systems, Hackensack University Medical Center is also closely located to expansive parks, lakes, outdoor activities and shopping malls, and is an hour’s drive to the Jersey Shore.

Child Care

Hackensack University Medical Center is home to one of the largest single-site child care centers in the United States. The four-story, 30,000-square foot facility is called the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Child Care and Learning Center (CCLC). The center provides care for children from 3 months to 6 years of age. Open year round, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the program is designed to enhance intellectual, physical, emotional and social growth. 

Hackensack University Medical Center Fitness and Wellness

Conveniently located near the Hackensack campus, the Fitness and Wellness Center is an expansive fitness center complete with a large selection of state-of-the-art cardio equipment with personal viewing screens; a Sports Performance Center featuring a turf field, sprint track, sports-specific resistance training equipment and specialized programs for teams and individuals; plus 170+ group fitness classes weekly including Les Mills, Zumba, Pilates Reformer, Pilates Barre, aqua, yoga, cycle and more.