On Fridays, noon conference is replaced with social lunch in the resident lounge. Lunch is provided from a local restaurant and changes each week. Spouses, children and significant others are invited to join. Residents spend the hour socializing with one another and their families. This is one of our residents favorite activities.

Every month the Social Committee plans a social activity for all the residents to enjoy. It is usually scheduled at one of the local Birmingham ‘hot-spots’ for some food, drinks, and laughs. Sometimes it’s pizza and beer - other times it’s bowling or cooking out at the park.  We're always open to suggestions and it's a great way to check out new places in Birmingham you might not have found otherwise!

To start off the recruiting season (and have a little fun), the UAB Pediatric Residency sponsors a skit and costume contest every year at Halloween. The skits are hilarious, the faculty and administration hand out prizes (from days off of jeopardy call to the Program Director's covering a night in the PICU- the competition is fierce.), and in general we explore all the perks and quirks that make our program unique!

The Pediatric Residency Holiday Party is held every year for the residents at a large event space in Birmingham. Each class shows up in their holiday best and kids run in circles showing off the toys that "Santa" left under the tree. Faculty and fellows cover the hospital for the night and the entire program begins the holiday season together!

Each upper-level class has a day-long retreat each year. The directors check in with each class at the beginning of the day and then they are sent off to just hang out and catch up as a class. Every class plans its own – in the past they have done everything from skiing on the lake to spending a day at Oak Mountain State Park.

For intern retreat, we load up and take off to Children's Harbor for an overnight trip of fun, fun, fun. During intern retreat, you will get to know your class and create memories that will stay with you throughout residency. From the ropes course to late night games – this is the weekend where you really start feeling like a family.

At least once a year, we cheer on the Birmingham Barons, the local AA farm team for the Chicago White Sox. The new Regions Park opened its doors for the 2013 baseball season, so now the Barons play just blocks away from Children’s! In addition to the residency-sponsored Barons Night, you can find a group of residents on the third base line on Thirsty Thursdays throughout the season.

The residents participate in an intramural kickball team in the fall. Anyone is welcome to join the team regardless of skill level. The games are played Thursday nights and are always a lot of fun.