Workforce
Children’s health depends on a strong and specialized workforce, yet across the country, the providers who care for children are in short supply. From pediatricians and subspecialists to nurses, behavioral health providers, and other essential professionals, children’s hospitals are facing growing workforce shortages that threaten timely access to care.
Children are not just small adults. They require providers trained specifically in pediatric medicine, development, and behavioral health. As demand for specialized pediatric services continues to grow, strengthening the pipeline of providers dedicated to children’s care is critical.
The Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program plays a vital role in meeting this need. Created in 1999 with bipartisan support, CHGME is the only federal program dedicated solely to training pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists at children’s hospitals.
Residents and fellows supported by CHGME expand access to care in rural and urban underserved communities and help address health disparities. CHGME hospitals serve 99.6% of all counties in the U.S. and territories. They train over 90% of subspecialists like pathologists, cardiac anesthesiologists and rehabilitation pediatricians If we are serious about putting kids first and securing our nation’s future, we must protect and strengthen CHGME to ensure every child has access to the specialized care they need.
