Hands-On Learning in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Pediatric emergency medicine plays a critical role in reducing preventable childhood morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income regions where access to specialized emergency care is still uneven. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), preventable and treatable conditions such as respiratory infections, trauma, and acute infectious diseases remain leading causes of pediatric emergency visits and hospital admissions across Latin America. At the same time, inequalities in training, infrastructure, and access to proper diagnostics continue to shape outcomes. Strengthening emergency medicine education is therefore an important investment in child survival and quality of care.

In this context, the Pediatric Emergency Medicine seminar concluded in Mexico bringing together international expertise and regional clinical realities in a uniquely practical learning environment. This edition once again reflected the identity that has come to define the CHOP courses in Mexico City: highly interactive, clinically grounded, and deeply engaging. The program covered key pediatric emergency medicine topics, including intra-abdominal emergencies, point-of-care ultrasound, respiratory emergencies, status epilepticus, and behavioral health emergencies, a subject of importance yet under looked.

A pillar of the seminar was the hands-on simulation training sessions. Fellows were divided into small groups and guided through structured exercises designed to replicate real-life pediatric emergencies. As summarized by course director Dr. Jill Posner (CHOP):

“The course focused on core topics in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, including pediatric resuscitation, respiratory emergencies, infant emergencies and fever, as well as ultrasound and intra-abdominal emergencies. A major emphasis was placed on experiential learning, with simulation-based sessions covering trauma, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and sepsis. Additional hands-on training centered on airway management and common minor procedures, ensuring participants gained both critical knowledge and practical skills directly applicable to clinical care.”

From CHOP, the faculty featured Dr. Jeremy M. Esposito, Dr. Payal K. Gala, and Dr. Ronald F. Marchese. Local faculty included Dr. Diana Guerrero (Children’s Hospital Federico Gómez, Mexico) and Dr. Karla Solís (ABC Medical Center, Mexico).

A defining strength of the OMI MEX seminars continues to be its international composition. At the 2026 pediatric emergency medicine seminar, 35 fellows participated from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and multiple regions of Mexico. We firmly believe that this diversity enriches every discussion and allows fellows to compare systems, share clinical challenges, and, perhaps more importantly, identify adaptable solutions across different healthcare contexts. As Dr. Juan Misael De La Cruz Almanzar from the Dominican Republic shared:

“The lectures helped me identify an ultrasound model that fits our hospital’s specific needs. The faculty demonstrated how patients are managed in high-level hospitals while also adapting key concepts to the realities of Latin America.”

On a personal note, Dr. Jill Posner also reflected on the experience:

“Leading the Pediatric Emergency Medicine seminar in Mexico was an energizing and deeply meaningful experience. Teaching fellows from across Latin America created a vibrant, collaborative learning environment where diverse perspectives enriched every discussion. The course’s highly interactive design, especially the hands-on training sessions, fostered real connection, practical skill-building, and shared problem-solving, making it feel less like teaching and more like learning together toward a common goal.”

Beyond knowledge transfer, the seminar highlighted the value of collaborative learning environments where international expertise and local experience intersect to improve care delivery in meaningful and lasting ways. As the seminar concludes, we are confident that its impact extends beyond the classroom.

We extend our gratitude to all faculty members and fellows for their dedication and engagement, and, of course, to the wonderful team at CHOP for continuing to set a high standard in global pediatric education. The OMI-CHOP partnership is a powerful example of how cross-border collaboration can develop training and ultimately improve outcomes for children across Latin America.