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One size does not fit all for URiM applicants: a comparison of NPM program size on URiM applications

Journal of Perinatology volume 45, pages 1318–1323 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Neonatal-perinatal medicine (NPM) lacks a racially and ethnically diverse physician workforce. Fewer trainees from groups underrepresented in medicine (URiM) are entering NPM due to declining match rates in general pediatrics, financial burdens from delaying workforce entry, and ineffective recruitment into NPM. Annual surveys from the Organization of Neonatology Training Program Directors (ONTPD) were analyzed to assess URiM recruitment trends between 2021 and 2023. Concerningly, the number of URiM candidates applying to NPM fellowship programs remains low, highlighting the need for investment in pathway programming and enhanced recruitment strategies to diversify the NPM workforce. A multifaceted approach, including promoting early interest in pediatrics, minimizing financial disincentives, collecting robust URiM trainee and workforce data, and creating inclusive, diverse educational environments will be critical to increasing URiM representation in NPM and ultimately improving health outcomes for neonates.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the leadership and members of the Organization of Neonatology Training Program Directors (ONTPD) who made this work possible.

Funding

KS was partially funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grant (#T32HD060550). No funding was obtained for the creation of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine/The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kristan Scott & Heather French

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Mark Castera

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Megan M. Gray

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Patrick Myers

  5. Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    Elizabeth M. Bonachea

  6. Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Heidi Karpen

  7. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor University School of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Melissa Carbajal

  8. Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Lindsay Johnston

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Contributions

MC, MG, and LJ conceptualized this work, and KS, MC, MG, and LJ drafted the initial manuscript. All authors reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Lindsay Johnston.

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Scott, K., Castera, M., Gray, M.M. et al. One size does not fit all for URiM applicants: a comparison of NPM program size on URiM applications. J Perinatol 45, 1318–1323 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-02151-7

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