Life After Residency: Finding Your First Job and Negotiating Like a Boss
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Finding your first job and negotiating a contract can be tricky when you’ve never done it before. This chapter chat will be offered by Professor Michael Northrop, MD, FAAP, and will cover life lessons they didn’t teach you in residency. Learn what you need to advocate for, as well as things you do and don’t need to worry about in contract negotiations. Tail coverage, umbrella policies, practice variations, Dr. Northrop will break it all down for you. Whether you’re finishing residency, applying for your first position, or advising trainees, this chapter chat will provide the tools to negotiate confidently and start your career on the best possible terms.
Register Here!
Who Should Attend?
This session is ideal for pediatric residents nearing graduation, early-career physicians preparing for their first position, fellows getting ready to enter practice, and mentors or faculty who advise trainees on career planning.
Meet Our Speaker!
Michael Northrop, M.D., F.A.A.P., is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Anesthesia, Director of Pediatric ECMO Services, and Chair of PICU/IMC Quality and Patient Safety at Wake Forest School of Medicine and Brenner Children’s Hospital at Advocate and Atrium Health.
Dr. Northrop completed his pediatrics residency in Norfolk, Virginia, after which he worked within the local hospital system in the pediatric emergency department and as a nursery hospitalist. He then pursued fellowship training in pediatric critical care at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. During this time, his spouse practiced as a private practice pediatrician before going on to complete a fellowship in child abuse pediatrics in San Antonio, Texas. While in San Antonio, Dr. Northrop began his first attending position at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, newly affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, where he contributed to the establishment of a new ECMO program and the development of hospital safety protocols.
In 2017, Dr. Northrop and his family returned to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he currently practices at Brenner Children’s Hospital. His family’s combined experience in both private practice and academic medicine has provided valuable insight into the complexities of evaluating contracts, negotiating compensation, and navigating the hiring process. Together, they have interviewed for and been offered a wide range of positions across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Dr. Northrop is passionate about empowering graduating residents and early-career pediatricians to advocate effectively for themselves and their careers.
Planning Committee
