Community Outpatient Practice Experience (COPE)

Established in 1991, COPE was the first program of its kind. It pairs pediatric residents with experienced community pediatricians for all three years of residency. Each resident works with a dedicated preceptor — or a small group within the same practice — and attends clinic one afternoon per week throughout training.

This partnership provides a rich, hands-on learning experience in a real-world setting, ensuring residents develop strong primary care skills and a deep understanding of outpatient pediatrics.

At a glance…

Dedicated Preceptors

18.5

Average years of experience

(ranging from 1 to 42 years of service)

Preceptors are our graduates

Why COPE?

Personalized mentorship

Benefit from one-on-one mentoring with seasoned pediatricians who are dedicated to resident growth and success.

Community engagement

Work directly with community pediatricians, gaining insights into the rewards and challenges of community-based practice.

Diverse experience

COPE offices are located throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area in a variety of practice settings including urban, publicly-funded, private, suburban, academic, solo and large group practices.

Continuity of care

Develop lasting relationships with patients and their families within a true medical home.

Highlights

The COPE match

Ensure your COPE preceptor pairing is a good fit. Submit your preferred practice setting, interview with three preceptors, submit a rank list and match with your preceptor(s)!

Professional development

Receive guidance on career planning, practice management and work-life balance from experienced mentors.

Community impact

Make a difference in the lives of children and families within the community you serve.

Emphasis on equity

Offer more equitable patient care within established medical homes with experienced pediatricians to guide you.

I was really drawn to our COPE program. Our COPE program is so unique because you are matched with a [community] primary care physician [giving] you get great exposure […] I was also able to use my elective time to schedule some time to work in clinic [experiencing] all of those important parts of running a pediatric clinic. When I was looking for jobs, I was lucky enough to interview at a couple of clinics around St. Louis but I ultimately accepted a position with my COPE office. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about our COPE program.
Liz Kent, Class of 2024, Pediatrician at Southwest Pediatrics

…it wasn’t until I actually started seeing patients in the clinic that I truly fell in love with [primary care]. They really focused on making sure I was prepared to be a primary care physician […] after going through 3 years […] I truly felt prepared coming out of residency to take care of patients on my own since I was essentially doing that as a senior resident as they really wanted us to take ownership of our patients.
Tim Ratz, Class of 2024, Pediatrician at Suburban Pediatrics

Being paired with the same COPE preceptor for three years has allowed me to become assimilated into the practice, identify goals with my preceptor, and have teaching/discussions between patients. I look forward to going to COPE every week!
Kylie Bushroe, Class of 2021, Neonatologist

I very much enjoy working with my preceptor. She has a profound connection to her patient population and is an excellent model for how to care for a patient in the context of the whole family. She is a good teacher, a caring physician and an engaging mentor.I look forward to my clinic every week because of my relationships with my preceptor and the office staff.
Courtney Rusch, Class of 2022, Gastroenterologist

My relationship with my COPE preceptor has been one of my most meaningful and longitudinal relationships I developed during my residency. She has taught me so much about medicine, as well as the day-to-day logistics and business of being a primary care provider. She has also been a great ‘life’ mentor for me, sharing her experiences as a physician parent, and making calls and advocating on my behalf as I applied for jobs. Whenever I get to my COPE office, the staff there treats me like family and makes me feel welcome and appreciated. I will truly miss COPE now that I’m graduating!
Amanda Dube, Class of 2020, Hospitalist

Working with my COPE preceptor has been one of the highlights of my residency. Having the longitudinal, one-on-one mentorship from a community pediatrician has helped strengthen my clinical skills and foster a deep appreciation for the role of the primary pediatrician.
Alex Plattner, Class of 2021, Infectious Disease & Informatics

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Preceptors

Showing: All results

Stuart Adams, MD

ESSE Health - O'Fallon Pediatrics

Etihad Al-Falahi, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
EDEN Pediatrics, LLC

Patricia Amato, MD

Voluntary Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
ESSE Health - Watson Road
Class of 1985

Laura Barton, MD

Instructor in Pediatrics
Pediatric Healthcare Unlimited
Class of 2005

Marie Batty, MD

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
WUCA - Blue Fish Pediatrics
Class of 2020

Michelle Beumer, MD

Voluntary Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Riverside Pediatrics

Trina Blythe, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Way to Grow Pediatrics

Tara Budetti, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Family Care Health Centers
Class of 2008

Lorena Buffa, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Cloverleaf Pediatrics

Rebecca Bullivant, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - KIDS Docs
Class of 1995

Tracey Daly-Wilson, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics

Julie Dorfman, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Academic Pediatrics
General Academic Pediatrics, Complex Care

Matthew Dougherty, MD

ESSE Health - Tesson Ferry

Iesha Draper, DO

Affinia Healthcare

Jennifer Dunn, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Northwest Pediatrics
Class of 2003

Lori Eberhart, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
A to Z Pediatrics, LLC

Diane Eschmann-Morie, MD

Instructor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA-Fenton Pediatrics

Jennifer Foersterling, MD

Instructor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Premier Pediatrics

John Galgani, MD

Voluntary Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
ESSE Health - Hazelwood Florissant
Class of 1985

Maria V. Ganninger, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Arch Pediatrics

Megan Garvey-Whatley, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
WUCA - Forest Park Pediatrics
Class of 2024

John Gleeson, MD

Instructor in Pediatrics
Gateway Pediatrics St. Lukes - Chesterfield

Lauren Grant, MD, FAAP

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Academic Pediatrics
General Academic Pediatrics
Class of 2023

Akemie Gray, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
SIHF – Cahokia Heights

Kimberly N. Hackney, DO

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - O’Fallon

Justin Hagen, DO

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - Wentzville

David Hartenbach, MD

Voluntary Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
ESSE Health - Mason Road Pediatrics
Class of 1990

David Herman, MD

Bard & Didriksen Pediatrics

Heather Joyce, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - O’Fallon

Pamela Kane, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - KIDS Docs
Class of 1993

Valerie Kover, MD

Instructor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Fenton Pediatrics
Class of 2009

Jennifer Krick, MD

SSM Maryville Pediatrics

Abby Kushnir, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
WingHaven Pediatrics, LLC
Class of 2009

Stephanie Lorts, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Young Pediatrics
Class of 2018

Shelby Markel, MD

Pediatric Healthcare Unlimited
Class of 2023

Megan Marolt, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Academic Pediatrics
General Academic Pediatrics

Jina McAtee, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Family Care Health Centers - Holly Hill

Mark McGranahan, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
A to Z Pediatrics, LLC

Maya Moody, MD

Mercy Hospital JFK Clinic

Janet Mueller, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - KIDS Docs
Class of 1994

Ameera Nauman, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Medical Group

Ellen M. Nicastro, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
WUCA - Monarch Pediatrics

Sarah O’Grady, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
Heartland Healthcare Pediatrics

Andrea Orr, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Northwest Pediatrics
Class of 2016

Jennifer Panasci, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
WingHaven Pediatrics, LLC

Rina Patney, MD

SIHF - East St. Louis

Cassandra M. Pruitt, MD

Professor of Pediatrics, Academic Pediatrics
Academic Pediatrics - SLCH

Pete Putnam, MD

Voluntary Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
ESSE Health-Watson Road
Class of 2000

Melissa Rickerson, MD

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - Wentzville

Sandeep Rohatgi, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Premier Pediatrics

Diana Roukoz, DO

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics

Carolyn Smith, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
ESSE Health - Tesson Ferry

Josh Smith, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Brentwood Pediatrics

David S. Sonderman, MD

Instructor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Children's Clinic
Class of 2015

Randy Sterkel, MD

Voluntary Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
ESSE Health - Mason Road Pediatrics
Class of 1997

Sanna Sundquist, MD

Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation

Linda Ann Tackes, MD

Instructor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Premier Pediatrics

Donna Thackrey, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - Mid Rivers
Class of 1997

Heather Marie Vannoy, DO

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - Old Tesson

Kathryn Wade, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
Childcare Physicians

Jean Wagner, MD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
A to Z Pediatrics, LLC

Cierra Wandro, DO

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics – Old Tesson

Kristin Wenger, MD, PhD

Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Mercy Clinic Pediatrics - North County
Class of 2013

Melissa Whitson, MD

Hampton Village Pediatrics

Kristine G. Williams, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - University Pediatric Associates
Class of 1997

Kathie Wuellner, MD

Voluntary Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Pediatric Healthcare Unlimited

Julia C. Young, MD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
WUCA - Premier Pediatrics

Staci Young, MD

Voluntary Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics
Young Pediatrics
Class of 2005

At a glance…

Dedicated Preceptors

Average years of experience

Preceptors are our graduates

Why COPE?

Personalized mentorship

Community engagement

Diverse experience

Continuity of care

Highlights

The COPE match

Professional development

Community impact

Emphasis on equity

Preceptors

Stuart Adams, MD

Etihad Al-Falahi, MD

Patricia Amato, MD

Dana Ankney, MD

Meredith Arra, MD

Jennifer Arter, MD

Elizabeth G. Atkinson, MD

Robert Atteberry, MD

Laura Barton, MD

Marie Batty, MD

Michelle Beumer, MD

Trina Blythe, MD

Tara Budetti, MD

Lorena Buffa, MD

Rebecca Bullivant, MD

Erin Casey, MD

Christine L. Chen, MD

John Cole, MD, PhD

Tracey Daly-Wilson, MD

Julie Dorfman, MD

Matthew Dougherty, MD

Iesha Draper, DO

Jennifer Dunn, MD

Lori Eberhart, MD

Diane Eschmann-Morie, MD

Jennifer Foersterling, MD

John Galgani, MD

Maria V. Ganninger, MD

Megan Garvey-Whatley, MD

John Gleeson, MD

Lauren Grant, MD, FAAP

Akemie Gray, MD

Kimberly N. Hackney, DO

Justin Hagen, DO

Bridget Hall, MD

Suzanne M. Hanson, MD

Elizabeth Avis Harrison, MD

David Hartenbach, MD

David Herman, MD

Jennifer Horst, MD

Matthew Camden Hosler, MD

Lauren Jones, DO

Heather Joyce, MD

Pamela Kane, MD

Valerie Kover, MD

Jennifer Krick, MD

Abby Kushnir, MD

Stephanie Lorts, MD

Shelby Markel, MD

Megan Marolt, MD

Jina McAtee, MD

Mark McGranahan, MD

Shilpa T. Menolascino, MD

Mary Shaughnessy Meyer, MD, FAAP

Jenny L. Miele, MD

Maya Moody, MD

Janet Mueller, MD

Ameera Nauman, MD

Ellen M. Nicastro, MD

Sarah O’Grady, MD

Andrea Orr, MD

Jennifer Panasci, MD

Rina Patney, MD

Cassandra M. Pruitt, MD

Pete Putnam, MD