Michigan Medicine Medical Genetics Program Overview
To see the goals and objectives of these rotations, please view the Goals and Objectives page. Please see the Medical Genetics Resident Handbook for overview, policies, and rotation schedules.
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. 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 encouraged to attend Outreach Clinics during the first year of their residency.
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. Attending Outreach Clinics during the second year is also encouraged. The last six months of training is dedicated to research/scholarly activity. 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 a research 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 and Biochemical 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 provided.
Seminars, Conferences, and Didactic Coursework
Residents participate in didactic activities specifically designed to provide teaching on high-yield topics for the ABMGG exam. This includes the Medical Genetics Residents’ Didactic Curriculum, and the Medical Biochemical Genetics Fellows’ Didactic Curriculum. Residents also participate in a weekly Clinical Genetics Journal Club and monthly Medical Genetics Grand Rounds. Residents also have opportunities to attend a large number of conferences based on their interests through basic science departments including Human Genetics. Medical Genetics residents can audit Human Genetics basic science courses taught to graduate students, including the first-year courses HG545 and HG546. The second-year course, HG803, emphasizes contemporary methods and their application to specific problems such as therapy for genetic diseases, bioinformatics, gene expression, chromatin remodeling, cerebral organoids, and cancer genetics.
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.
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 Elizabeth Ames, M.D., Ph.D.
Adult Medical Genetics Wendy Uhlmann, MS, CGC
Cancer Genetics Anthony Scott, M.D., Ph.D.
Prenatal Genetics Sarah Davis, M.D.
Adult Neurogenetics John Fink, M.D.
Laboratory Rotations
Biochemical Genetics Lidong Zhai, Ph.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.
