COM resident of the month

Chelsey McConnell, MD

Name: Chelsey (Urbauer) McConnell, MD   

Medical school you attended/year you graduated: I attended UNMC and graduated in 2021.

Residency/fellowship at UNMC: Pediatrics 

Program directors: Nate Goodrich, MD, and Lisa Sieczkowski, MD

How long is your training program and how long have you been at UNMC?

Pediatrics is a three-year residency program. I am in my first year of residency but have been at UNMC for the last four years as a medical student. 

What do you like the most about your training program?

Without a doubt, the people. I get to work with the most kind and compassionate physicians every day. It is obvious that everybody enjoys coming to work, and there is something very special about working with others who have the same passion about caring for kids as I do. I feel lucky and honored that parents entrust the care of their kids to me, and I get to do it surrounded by the best people. 

What challenges do you foresee in graduate medical education in the future?

Although slowly improving, I foresee continued struggles with burnout throughout medical training. 

List some accomplishments that you are proud of: 

  • My research was published this past year.
  • Running two marathons in medical school.
  • Convincing medical students to go into pediatrics because there is nothing better.

Tell us three things about you that others may not know:

  • I am a proud military wife.
  • I enjoy brewing homemade kombucha.
  • I am the happiest when I am running outdoors or traveling the world.