Training Summary by Year

View and/or download the Michigan Medicine Medical Genetics Residency Program PDF.

 

Pediatric Genetics Program video

Michigan Medicine Medical Genetics Program Overview

To see the goals and objectives of  medical genetics residency rotations, please view the Goals and Objectives document.  Please see the Medical Genetics Resident Handbook for overview, policies and rotation schedules. The Resident Handbook for the Combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics 4-year training program is also available.  

Year 1

In the first year of training, typical activity includes rotations in Pediatric Genetics and Biochemical Genetics, Internal Medicine Medical Genetics, and Cancer Genetics. Trainees also complete 2-week rotations in the Cytogenetics, Molecular, and Biochemical Labs and attend Outreach Clinics.   During laboratory rotations within Biochemical Genetics, Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics, residents are expected to learn the specifics of testing within these diagnostic domains. A syllabus for each rotation is provided. Outreach clinics are a unique opportunity to evaluate and manage genetics patients in an outpatient setting in Marquette or Traverse City, Michigan. Through a contract, the State of Michigan supports the efforts of physicians and genetic counselors at these clinics. All residents are required to attend 2 Outreach Clinics during the first year of their residency. Attending Outreach Clinics during the second year is optional, but is encouraged.

Year 2

In the second year of training, residents will complete rotations in Adult Medical Genetics, Cancer Genetics, Prenatal Genetics and Adult Neurogenetics during the first six months. The last six months of training is dedicated to research.  Residents will select a research mentor and develop a clinical or basic science research project under the direction of their research mentor.  For residents interested in an academic career in medical genetics, research time will be spent working toward submission of a mentored career development award, such as an NIH K08 or K23 award. 

Combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Training

For the 4-year Combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Training Program, Year 1 is spent on General Pediatrics rotations.  For Years 2-4, residents will alternate between General Pediatrics and Genetics rotations in approximately 4-month blocks.  During Genetics rotations, residents will complete the same rotations as residents in the categorical 2-year Medical Genetics Residency Program, including 6 months of research at the end of their 4-year training program. 

General Training Information

Each resident will rotate on numerous services within the Medical Genetics Residency Program. This includes Pediatric Genetics and Biochemical Genetics (which are in the same division), Medical Genetics (the Adult Genetics Clinic), Cancer Genetics Clinic, Prenatal Genetics, and Adult Neurogenetics. These are the required rotations. Additional rotations can be arranged with the approval of the Program Director. Residents are required to take a minimum of 12 months of Pediatric Genetics. They may opt to take more Adult Genetics or to extend other rotations. The rotations are arranged to maximize the clinical experiences and to minimize overlap with other resident participation in those clinics. Residents are expected to participate in the full spectrum of service requirements for each rotation including pre-clinic conferences, journal clubs, clinic and post-clinic conferences, inpatient consultations, and seminars. Didactic coursework is also required.  

Seminars, Conferences, and Didactic Coursework

Residents have opportunities to attend a large number of conferences based on their interests.  During the first year, Medical Genetics residents are required to attend the Human Genetics basic science courses taught to the graduate students, HG541 and HG542. For residents who enter the training program with a Ph.D. in Genetics, alternative courses are available.  The second year course, HG803, which emphasizes contemporary methods and their application to specific problems such as transgenic experiments, bioinformatics, gene expression, microarrays and other high throughput expression monitoring, cancer genetics and other methods is optional. Given the rapid pace of genetic research, participation in these courses is encouraged.

Vacation and Meetings

Vacation is to be arranged in consultation with the Program Director. The House Officer Association agreement with the University provides for 28 days of vacation per year. In addition, the Medical Genetics Residency Program provides funding for travel to one scientific or clinical genetics meeting per year.  Residents also attend the North American Metabolic Academy in their second year of training.

Faculty

The following faculty are responsible for the rotations on the respective services.

Clinical Rotations

Pediatric Genetics Catherine Keegan, M.D., Ph.D

Biochemical Genetics Ayesha Ahmad, M.D./Shane Quinonez, M.D.

Adult Medical Genetics Shane Quinonez, M.D.

Cancer Genetics Elena Stoffel, M.D.

Prenatal Genetics Marjorie Treadwell, M.D.

Adult Neurogenetics John Fink, M.D.

Laboratory Rotations

Biochemical Genetics Ayesha Ahmad, M.D./Shane Quinonez, M.D.

Cytogenetics Lina Shao, Ph.D.

Molecular Genetics Chen Yang, Ph.D. 

Pediatric Genetics Outreach Clinics: 

Coordinator: Bridget O’Connor, M.S. C.G.C.