Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship

We offer a well-rounded fellowship program with robust experiences in clinical care, research, quality improvement and advocacy. Our 3-year program allows for the training of 2 physicians each year who are board certified or board eligible in pediatrics or pediatrics/internal medicine. Our focus is on providing exceptional education in a supportive and collaborative environment.

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Welcome to Akron Children’s! It is hard to put into words that feeling you get when you walk through our doors, but we think it can be best described as our culture of caring. That culture permeates our halls, and it impacts every interaction we have with our patients and families and with each other. Our supportive environment, focus on collaboration, pursuit of innovation and dedication to child-first and family-focused care are other defining features of our division and our fellowship program.

Supportive Environment: Our department is warm and inclusive with a small program feel, but a much bigger impact! We offer flexible and individualized approaches to learning based on fellow goals. Strong mentorship opportunities are facilitated to ensure fellows achieve their goals in all aspects of career development.

Collaboration: We are committed to collaboration and interdisciplinary team-based care. Being situated within the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center allows us to work closely with our colleagues across disciplines to optimize clinical care and scholarly work. Research partnerships within and across institutions are developed to support fellows in their scholarly work. We also encourage partnerships with community and national organizations as part of fellows’ advocacy work.

Innovation: We have an enthusiastic team that champions the incorporation of educational innovation for learners and hands-on experience with novel approaches to clinical care, including use of telehealth. With scholarly interests in medical education innovation, we embrace and integrate pioneering approaches to teaching. We also work to optimize outcomes for our patients through health services research focusing on individuals with developmental and behavioral challenges.

Child-first and Family-focused Care: Being part of a free-standing children’s hospital with robust services allows us to focus all our clinical, scholarly and advocacy efforts on kids and teens! We are committed to training fellows to provide high quality, culturally humble clinical care. Advancing clinical autonomy allows fellows to become skilled in evaluation, including testing, treatment and medication management across care modalities.

To learn more about our program, Akron Children’s and the surrounding area, please click here.

Click here to view the faculty of the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program.

Qualified fellowship applicants should meet the following requirements:

MD, DO or MBBS degree
Passed all three steps of USMLE or COMLEX
Completed an ACGME-approved residency in pediatrics or internal medicine/pediatrics
Board certified/eligible in general pediatrics
U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or J-1 visa (we cannot accommodate H-1B visas)
Eligible for Ohio medical license and permanent DEA number to be obtained at start of training

Candidates should apply using the ERAS System.

Our overarching goal is to prepare fellows for leadership roles as clinicians, teachers, investigators, and advocates for children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral challenges. We do this by providing fellows with:

Significant depth and breadth in clinical encounters across a variety of settings
Opportunities to participate in team-based evaluations in numerous interdisciplinary clinics
Experience teaching medical students, residents, interdisciplinary team members and families
Support and mentorship in advocacy and scholarly work
Flexibility to design elements of their own training to create educational opportunities that align with their personal goals

Curriculum

Fellows follow their own patients throughout training in twice-weekly continuity clinics. Fellows also participate in structured learning activities throughout training, including didactics focused on ABP DBP content; shared didactics with psychology and psychiatry; wellness curriculum; DEI curriculum; journal clubs and case conferences.

Additional experiences vary by year as outlined below:

Year 1

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND)
Autism Diagnostic Clinic
NICU Follow Up Clinic
Down Syndrome Clinic
Myelo Clinic
Physiatry
Adolescent Medicine
Genetics
Triple P Training

Year 2

Dyslexia Clinic
Community Schools
Sleep Medicine
Feeding Team
Psychiatry
Neurology
Research
Electives

Year 3

Research
Teaching
Advocacy
Presentations

Some variability in rotation timing may occur from year to year; most clinical experiences are longitudinal.

Please contact us with questions:

Kristen Stefanski, MD
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Program Director
Akron Children's
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
330-543-5258
KStefanski@akronchildrens.org

Diane Langkamp, MD, MPH
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Associate Program Director
330-543-8952
dlangkamp@akronchildrens.org

Anna Dusseau
Fellowship Program Coordinator
330-543-6037
adusseau@akronchildrens.org

Akron Children’s accredited fellowship programs offer:

Stipends

(Effective July 1, 2025)
PL-4 – $75,794
PL-5 – $77,309
PL-6 -- $78,856

Vacation

House offices are granted 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.

Conference Time

Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.

Educational Allowance

Fellows are provided $1,500 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals.

Research and Scholarship Travel

The Department of Pediatrics encourages and supports investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, the Department supports research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed.

Although the policy relates to presentation at a national forum, requests for support for presentation at a regional forum are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, funding may be available to offset costs for professional conferences (travel, lodging, registration, meals) if not presenting scholarly activity.

Professional Liability

Professional liability insurance is provided by the hospital.

Health Benefits

Fellows, and their dependents, are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital. Benefits are available immediately.

Retirement Benefits

Fellows may participate in the Hospital’s 403(b) Plan from their date of hire. Match dollars are not available to fellows.

Other Benefits

Group Term Life Insurance equal to one time the fellow’s annual income, with an option to purchase additional coverage in increments of annual earnings.
Dependent Life Insurance coverage and Medical Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
Voluntary Universal Life, Accident & Critical Illness through Trustmark & Home& Auto through Met Life.
Employee Assistance Program available to all fellows and their families.
Short and Long Term Disability benefits available, effective for three months following start date.

Medical License & DEA

Fellows are required to obtain an Ohio State Medical License and DEA certificate prior to beginning training.

Parking

A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.

Lab Coats

One embroidered lab coat is provided, if desired.

Meals

Fellows are given $70 every week for use in the hospital cafeteria.

Relocation expenses

The hospital provides reimbursement for initial relocation expenses, up to $1,000, subject to current tax laws.

Smoke, Electronic Cigarette and Tobacco Free Campus

Akron Children’s is a tobacco-free healthcare system. Prospective employees who test positive for nicotine will have their offer of employment rescinded and will not be permitted to start work.

One of our goals is to support fellows in becoming skilled in scholarly investigation and in understanding the evolving science relevant to developmental-behavioral pediatrics. All fellows complete epidemiology and biostatistics courses through the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health (CEOMPH) Program. With the support of program leadership, the Director of Research and Education, and methodological and statistical services through the Research Institute, fellows will complete a scholarly project that aligns with their area of interest. All fellows complete epidemiology and biostatistics courses through the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health (CEOMPH) Program.

Selected Faculty and Fellow Publications

Brown MF, Cheruvu VK, VanGeest JB, Smith T, Langkamp DL. Hopeful Future Expectations post COVID-19 among youth. Ohio Journal of Public Health (in press, April 2025)

Stefanski K, Foster J, Brown M, Langkamp D. Does early exposure change pediatric residents’ perceptions of developmental-behavioral pediatric care? Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2025 January/February.

Brown MF, Cheruvu VK, VanGeest JB, Smith TC, Langkamp DL. COVID-19 Vaccination among Adolescents and Young Adults: Test of the Triandis Model of Interpersonal Behavior and the Health Belief Model. Clinical Pediatrics. 2024 Sept 10.

Coon A, Langkamp D, Brown M, Wildman B. Use of “Bug-in-the-Ear” Technology in Improving Pediatric Residents’ Skills in Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD. Academic Pediatrics 2025 May-Jun.

Wallis KE, Kennelly A, Wozniak SN, Craig S, Flaherty C, Cacia J, Christiansen A, Cordero L, Ortiz P, Kellom KS, Stefanski K. Disparities in Telehealth Utilization for DBP Assessments by Preferred Family Language: A DBPNet Study. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2024 July/Aug.

Stefanski KJ, Brown M, Langkamp D. Pilot Study Evaluating Use of Bug-in-Ear Technology as a Novel Resident Feedback Tool. Journal of Graduate Medical Education. 2024 Jun 1.

Kellom KS, Flaherty CM, Cacia J, Christiansen A, Cordero L, Hah J, Kennelly A, Ortiz P, Stefanski K, Wozniak SN, Wallis KE. Provider and Caregiver Perspectives on Telehealth Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: A Multimethod DBPNet Study Exploring Equity. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2023 June 14.

Hung KT, Branch JM, McManus MD, Brown M, Langkamp DL. Through the Webcam: Impact of Telehealth on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Fellowship Training. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2023 May 20;44(4):e263-8.

Pillai R and Branch J. “IEPs and 504 Plans: A Guide for Parents.” Healthychildren.org, 24 February 2023.

Pillai R and Branch J. “5 Ways to Keep Kids With Special Health Care Needs Healthy and in School.” Healthychildren.org, 22 February, 2023.

Bauer KW, Branch JM, Appugliese DP, Pesch MH, Miller AL, Lumeng JC, Kaciroti N. Emerging Ideas. How Do Low‐Income Mothers Talk to Children About Weight and Body Shape?. Family Relations. 2021 Dec;70(5):1477-84.

Stefanski KJ, Anixt JS, Goodman P, Bowers K, Leisenring W, Scott Baker K, Burns K, Howell R, Davies S, Robison LL, Armstrong GT. Long-term neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes after acute myeloid leukemia: A childhood cancer survivor study report. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2021 Apr 6;113(4):481-95.

Wallis KE, Mulé C, Mittal S, Cerda N, Shaffer R, Scott A, Langkamp D, Augustyn M, Perrin E, Soares N, Blum NJ. Use of telehealth in fellowship-affiliated developmental behavioral pediatric practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2021 May 1;42(4):314-21.

Langkamp DL, Barnes AJ, Zuckerman KE. Secondary Analysis of Existing Data Sets for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2021 May 1;42(4):322-30.

Langkamp DL, Dusseau A, Brown MF. Vaccine hesitancy and low immunization rates in children with Down syndrome. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2020 Aug 1;223:64-7.

Selected Faculty and Fellow Posters, Presentations and Workshops

Omoniyi, O. Two Worlds, One Mission: Advocating for Children with Developmental Disabilities Globally. Development, Behavior & Emotions Update. Supporting Access for Everyone: SAFE Practice for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Akron Children’s Hospital. May 30, 2025. Presentation.

Stefanski K, Chong K, Wheller K. Novel Approach to Lifelong Single Ventricle Interdisciplinary Care Using a Telehealth Clinic Model. Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Honolulu, HI: April 27, 2025. Poster presentation.

Stefanski K, Lipman K, Weber S, Coon A, Greathouse D, Cederna C. Escaping the Humdrum: Developing and Using Escape Rooms to Teach DBP Topics. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. September 13, 2024. Workshop.

Coon A, Lipman C, Weber S, Stefanski K. Conceptualize This: Utilizing Conceptual Frameworks in Curriculum Development for Educational Scholarship. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. September 13, 2024. Workshop.

Fussell J, Stefanski K, Espiritu C, Augustyn M, Nyp S, Harris H, Liu Y, Myers E. Beyond Milestones: Expanding Competency-Based Assessment in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. September 13, 2024. Workshop.

Branch J and Williams B. Navigating the Special Education System. Development, Behavior & Emotions Update. Empowering Pediatric Care: Navigating Developmental & Behavioral Needs in Primary Care. Akron Children’s Hospital, May 31, 2024. Presentation.

Burke A and Scherer C. Pathways to Autism Spectrum Diagnosis. Development, Behavior & Emotions Update. Empowering Pediatric Care: Navigating Developmental & Behavioral Needs in Primary Care. Akron Children’s Hospital, May 31, 2024. Presentation.

Foster J, Solutions for ADHD and Behavior Problems in the Young Child. Ohio AAP Spring Education Meeting. Dublin, OH. April 19, 2024, Presenter.

Foster J. Building Systems for Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs. American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference and Exhibition, Joint Program: COCWD and SODBP. Washington DC. October 21, 2023. Moderator.

Stefanski K, Foster J, Brown M, Langkamp D. Does early exposure change pediatric residents’ perceptions of developmental-behavioral pediatric care? Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Conference, Minneapolis, MN: September 11, 2023. Platform Presentation.

Stefanski K, Weber S, Lipman C, Coon A, Myers R. Turning Teaching into Treasure: How Curriculum Development can be Counted as Educational Scholarship. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MD, September 8, 2023. Workshop.

Lipman C, Thammasitboon S, Benjamin J, Rissmiller B, Stefanski K, Kralovic S, Kuei N, Rajan L, Phelps Nishiguchi E. Teaching with Games: Using Game-based Teaching Strategies to Activate, Motivate and Engage Learners. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MD, September 8, 2023. Workshop.

Branch J, Myrick Y, Takayama J. Helping Families Navigate Systems: Special Education and SSI for Children with Disabilities. AAP Pedialink Online Course. June 9, 2023. Webinar.

Langkamp DL, Weixel T, Wildman BG. HPV Vaccine Hesitancy among Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. April 30, 2023. Poster Presentation.

Skiviat N, Langkamp D, Brown M, Brown R. Access to Mental Health Services for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Down Syndrome and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. April 30, 2023. Poster Presentation.

Stefanski K, Coon A, Smith D, Wildman B, Skiviat N, Langkamp D. Oh Look! A Bug!: Use of “Bug-in-the-Ear” Technology to Give Real-Time Feedback to Trainees. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, October 21, 2022. Workshop.

Foster J. Impact of COVID on Children, Families and Professionals in EI. The Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities. October 19, 2022. Virtual Presentation.

Kennelly A, Wozniak S, Craig S, Flaherty CM, Kellom K, Cacia J, Christiansen A, Cordero L, Ortiz P, Stefanski K, Wallis KE. Preferred Family Language and Telehealth Uptake for DBP Assessments: A DBPNet Study. American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference and Exhibition, Anaheim, CA: October 8, 2022. Platform Presentation.

Stefanski K, Brown M, Langkamp D. Assessing Use of Bug-in-Ear Technology as a Novel Feedback Tool. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. April 2022. Poster Presentation.

Weixel T, Langkamp D, Wildman BG. Vaccine hesitancy among parents of adolescents with Down syndrome. Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. October 22, 2022. Poster Presentation.

Stefanski K, Ferreira L, Uy R, Smith J, Weber S. Our Favorite Things: MedEd Edition. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Virtual Meeting, October 21, 2021. Workshop.

Kolla S, Foster J. CONNECTIONS: A comparison of virtual and face-to-face formats of early intervention for children diagnosed with Autism. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Virtual Meeting, October 2021. Poster Presentation.

Wallis KE, Kellom K, Christiansen A, Cordero L, Flaherty CM, Hah J, Stefanski K, Ortiz P. Experiences in Telemedicine in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics: A DBPNet Mixed-Methods Study of Providers and Caregivers. AAP National Conference and Exhibition (Virtual), October 2021. Poster Presentation.

Foster J. Systems and Programs that Support Children with Disabilities: What Pediatric Trainees and Early Career Physicians Need to Know. AAP Council on Children with Disabilities Series, January 28, 2021. Virtual Office Hours.

Weber S, Cederna-Meko C, O’Connell L, Stefanski K. Back to Basics: Teaching and Remediating Patient-Centered Interpersonal and Communication Skills. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Virtual Meeting, October 9, 2020. Workshop.

Foster J. Autism Update: The New AAP Clinical Report, A Pediatrician’s Perspective. Milestones National Autism Conference, June 3, 2020. Virtual Presentation.

Foster J. Caring for Children with Special Health Care Needs During COVID-19. Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center Ask an Expert Series, US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families and the American Academy of Pediatrics, May 27, 2020. Virtual Presentation.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship