Pediatricians specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents only. Pediatricians are physicians who have completed medical school and an additional three-year residency (training program) where they acquire the skills to treat a broad range of afflictions for children up to 18 years old. Pediatricians provide a range of services from well-child care, to basic childhood illnesses, to specialized care for the most serious of diseases.

Internal medicine physicians, or internists, specialize in the care of adolescents and adults and have had special training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. Internal medicine physicians are skilled at diagnosing unresolved illnesses and can handle severe chronic illnesses and situations where several different illnesses may strike at the same time. Doctors of internal medicine treat the whole person, not just internal organs.

Family medicine physicians specialize in caring for the whole family, including children and adults. Family medicine doctors are trained in all areas of medicine including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease during all stages of life.

Geriatricians are physicians board-certified in either family practice or internal medicine and have additional training in geriatric medicine. Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health promotion and the prevention and treatment of disease and disability in later life.

Resident physicians are licensed medical doctors who have completed medical school and are undergoing further training in their chosen area of medicine. A resident works closely with a supervisory physician to provide patient care. Residency provides in-depth training and leads to eligibility for board certification.

Physician's assistants are health care professionals with medical training who provide routine health maintenance checkups and manage certain minor, acute, and chronic health problems under a physician's supervision.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced, specialized training which allows them to provide routine checkups and help manage certain minor, acute, and chronic health problems under a physician's supervision. A nurse practitioner can serve as a patient’s regular health care provider and see patients of all ages.

Additional Providers

Specialists are physicians who practice a specific type of medicine such as cardiology, orthopaedics, and ophthalmology. If you need specialty care, your UI Family Care provider will connect you with a specialty colleague at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and will continue to follow your progress and coordinate your care.

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are specially trained, licensed professionals experienced in providing obstetric and newborn care. They provide comprehensive, family-centered maternity care from the first prenatal visit through labor, delivery, and after the birth of your baby. Midwives are registered nurses who have earned their master's degree in nursing, with a strong emphasis on clinical training in midwifery. Midwives work with obstetricians who are always available to assist if complications occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.

Obstetrician/Gynecologists (OB/GYN) are medical doctors specially trained to provide medical and surgical care to women. OB/GYNs spend four years after medical school in a residency studying pregnancy, reproduction, and female medical and surgical problems. Specialists who provide mainly pregnancy care are obstetricians, while gynecologists provide mainly female reproductive system care.