Men of the BCRP

Peers Who Are Parents. The BCRP is home to parents of infants, toddlers and school-age children among fellow residents. As a group, residents who are parents often socialize and share information about how to strike the right work-family balance.

Maternity and Paternity Leave. The program offers maternity leave and paternity leave. With advance scheduling up to 12 weeks usually can be accommodated for the former. The time is limited by the training requirements of the American Board of Pediatrics. More time for maternity/paternity leave can be taken if the resident extends the period of training to include the extra leave.

Flexible Scheduling. The BCRP has assisted several residents with arranging half or three-quarter time schedules, designed to allow completion of residency at a slower pace over a longer interval. Although we cannot always guarantee flexible scheduling, we try to accommodate such requests to the best of our ability. The BCRP has more residents on flexible schedules than any other program, as noted in a recent article in Newsweek magazine.

Supportive Colleagues and Mentors. House officers returning to work after childbirth report that their colleagues and mentors are supportive during the transition back, including attitudes towards lactation and the short but frequent absences it requires from the wards.

Lactation Support. Both Children's Hospital and Boston Medical Center have extensive lactation resources, including dedicated RN lactation consultants and multiple comfortable, quiet areas in which mothers can pump in private. Pumps and associated accessories can also be purchased from the hospital at a discount.

Child Care. Children's Hospital has an excellent affiliated day-care center, that is available to Categorical track residents (though there is usually a waiting list). There are multiple other day care options in the Longwood Medical Area that are compatible with medical hours. For even more flexibility, some residents choose to hire nannies instead, found through a variety of channels, including recommendations from former residents.

Community Offerings for Families. Boston and the surrounding communities are wonderfully family and child-friendly places, and are rich with enjoyable and enriching opportunities for kids. There are numerous playgrounds, parks, and kid-friendly green spaces; a world-class aquarium, a children's museum and a science museum; and innumerable other activities available, such as story hours and day trips.

Schools. Many of the local school systems, including Brookline and Newton, enjoy nationwide recognition for excellence.