Pediatrics-Medical Genetics

Overview

The combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics residency is a four-year educational track that is intended to train physicians who are interested in the spectrum of genetic illnesses, with a special focus on those diseases that affect the pediatric population. The program is co-administered by the Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics, and upon completion, trainees are board-eligible in both pediatrics and medical genetics. Graduates will have many career options. In their clinical practice, they can serve as pediatric geneticists, providing general care for patients with a variety of genetic conditions. They may pursue additional subspecialty training in a medical fellowship (e.g., pediatric cardiology) or laboratory fellowship (e.g. cytogenetics). This path also is ideal for candidates interested in academic careers who want to undertake research in genetic diseases, including birth defects, developmental disorders, and clinical epidemiology.

The combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics program is flexible and can be oriented toward the resident's goals, with significant experience in general pediatrics and medical genetics activities, electives, and clinical laboratory experiences. An additional year or more for research or clinical laboratory is possible, and if interested a resident should be discussed with the Genetics Program Director, Dr. Robin, as soon as possible. Clinical activities are extensive, and exceptional faculty is available in both the pediatrics and medical genetics departments. Due to the flexibility and novelty of the program, the ideal candidate has to be very enthusiastic, responsible, and motivated for an academic medical career. As of 2014, this is a four-year program and commitment to the above-mentioned goals is a must. Graduates from this program will be highly sought after in academic settings and will have a unique clinical background that will be a plus in both private and academic environments. For more information on the Medical Genetics training portion of the program, please see here.

Applications

Eligibility

The UAB Pediatric Residency Training Program only accepts applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). For more information about ERAS, please contact your medical school dean's office. International medical graduates must register for ERAS by contacting the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Applicants for the PGY-1 level are selected through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). The NRMP number for UAB's Pediatric Residency Program is 1007320.

Process

We only accept applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Apply to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Combined Program. Once you are contacted for interview, it is important to let the Program Coordinator know that you are applying for the Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Combined Program.

ACGME program number for Pediatrics Medical Genetics Residency: 7650144013

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Frequently Asked Questions

We have found that many people have questions regarding the following information. Should you have additional questions, please refer to our website for more information on our program and the city of Birmingham.

• Our program directors do not review information (CVs, letters, etc.) prior to application for residency.

• We only accept applications through ERAS and have an application deadline of December 1. We only accept positions through the NRMP.

• Upon receiving and reviewing applications, the program directors will send out invitations to those who will be interviewed.

• We do not have minimum board score requirements, though we do have a very competitive program, and higher scores can enhance your application.

• If you are required to take the CSA exam, you must have taken and passed it prior to being interviewed.

• It is perferable that you have graduated from medical school within the past five years, although we will consider your application up to 10 years from the date of graduation.

• Two letters of recommendation are required in addition to a Dean's letter. We also require a personal statement, medical school transcript and photo.

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Residency Schedule

(from July of the current year to June next year)

Year One

*Once per month resident genetics continuity clinic begins in February

**Inpatient Subspecialities can be pulm, heme-onc, renal, or GI during year 1

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

The resident is board eligible for pediatrics and clinical genetics at the conclusion of year 4.

Notes: During Pediatric rotations, the resident will have a full-day-per-month genetics continuity clinic as well as three half-day-per-week pediatric continuity clinics. During genetics months, the resident will have four full-day-per-months of genetics pediatric continuity clinic in addition to a half-days-per-month genetics adult clinic. During In-patient Genetic Consult rotations, the resident will have no continuity clinics.

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Contact Information

Anna C.E. Hurst, M.D., Program Director
Michele Nichols, M.D., Program Director
Christy Underwood, Program Coordinator

or

Contact the Department of Pediatrics
E-mail: uabkids@peds.uab.edu
Phone: (205) 638-9589