Combined Pediatrics Medical Genetics Residency Program Clinical Curriculum

Combined pediatrics/medical genetics residents spend the first year as interns in pediatrics. During their second and third years, residents spend half their time in pediatrics and half in genetics. The fourth year is spent entirely in genetics.

Genetics rotations are set in two- to four-week blocks. Residents have four weeks of vacation per academic year. During inpatient genetic rotations and the Newborn Screening rotation, the residents take home call from Monday at 8:00am – Friday at 4:30pm. There are no home or in-house calls on other genetic rotations.

Year 1: Rotations in Pediatrics

Years 2 – 3: Split evenly between Pediatrics (6 months) and Medical Genetics (6 months). 

Our required Genetics rotations include:

  • Undiagnosed Disease Program (1 month)
  • Cancer (1 month)
  • Prenatal (1 month)
  • Newborn Screen (2 weeks)
  • Inpatient Genetics/Metabolism
  • Outpatient Genetics/Metabolism
  • Laboratory Rotations
    • Biochemical - 2 weeks
    • Cytogenetics - 2 weeks
    • Genomics - 2 weeks
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Subspecialty Clinics
  • Research

Residents will gain experience in the following subspecialty clinics based on availability and interest:

  • Disorders of Sexual Development
  • Cardiogenetics
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Cleft and Craniofacial Clinics
  • Huntington Disease and Progressive
    Neurodegenerative Disease Clinic
  • Vascular Clinic
  • Angelman Syndrome Clinic
  • Prader Willi Clinic
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS)
  • Skeletal dysplasia
  • Down Syndrome
  • Lysosomal Storage Disease
  • Hearing Loss
  • Metabolism
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Rett Syndrome

Genetics continuity clinic starts in the resident’s third year. The patient load for continuity clinic increases over time as the resident’s skills and efficiency improve to prepare for independent clinical practice.

Year 4: The first six months is Rotations in Genetics. In the second six months, clinical responsibilities are decreased to allow time for research and professional development. There are opportunities for individualized curriculum and electives.