Pediatric/Medical Genetics, anyone??

[mdphd2b]

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OK, so I'm interested in learning more about this specialty. It sounds well-suited for MD/PhD's, and I'm definitely planning on going into Peds.

I'm curious about the training process. It looks like there are ~10 or so combined residencies out there, with only a handful of spots. The other option is to do the Med Gen fellowship separately after Peds.

Just wondering if anyone out there is considering this specialty, and can share their insights on the application and training process. For a student applying for the combined residency, would their PhD research have to be in Genetics? (mine is not) What other things do these programs look for in an applicant?

If I end up having to do the fellowship separately, I'd ideally like to stay in the same place as residency, so what are the major institutions offering Medical genetics fellowships (any comments on them are welcome).

Thanks for your help 🙂

 

[gutonc]

OK, so I'm interested in learning more about this specialty. It sounds well-suited for MD/PhD's, and I'm definitely planning on going into Peds.

I'm curious about the training process. It looks like there are ~10 or so combined residencies out there, with only a handful of spots. The other option is to do the Med Gen fellowship separately after Peds.

Just wondering if anyone out there is considering this specialty, and can share their insights on the application and training process. For a student applying for the combined residency, would their PhD research have to be in Genetics? (mine is not) What other things do these programs look for in an applicant?

If I end up having to do the fellowship separately, I'd ideally like to stay in the same place as residency, so what are the major institutions offering Medical genetics fellowships (any comments on them are welcome).

Thanks for your help 🙂

I don't have a ton of information on the fellowship, mostly because I considered it and then decided against it. That said, there are 40+ fellowship programs out there in most major cities in all areas of the country so you'd be fine wherever you decided to go. I assume (probably incorrectly) that they prefer or require Peds over IM but since you want to do Peds that shouldn't be a problem. I also don't think that your PhD research would necessarily be an issue. People realize that you choose your lab and your fellowship at very different times in your life and that circumstances change. That said, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go have a chat w/ the Med Gen PD at Pitt and see what s/he has to say about it. You're in a good position to both determine if that's really what you want to do, and to line your CV up to make you an excellent candidate.

Good luck,

BE

 

[prets]

Hi,
I will not be of much help regarding the residency spots, but I have a question. I am one of the IM resident in second year and am giving a thought to do Medical Genetics. I am very interested in this field, but I am a bit worried about the job prospects. Any idea about Jobs after 2 yrs of IM and 2 yrs of Medical Genetics.
I will really appreciate your input.

 

[passion4atcg]

Hi,
I will not be of much help regarding the residency spots, but I have a question. I am one of the IM resident in second year and am giving a thought to do Medical Genetics. I am very interested in this field, but I am a bit worried about the job prospects. Any idea about Jobs after 2 yrs of IM and 2 yrs of Medical Genetics.
I will really appreciate your input.

There are many opportunites in medical genetics. You could work either in pediatric genetics or cancer genetics in a hospital setting. Or, there are many situtations in which one specializes in a specific genetic disorder. Pediatric Genetics involves diagnosing children with genetic disorders and working with genetic counselors, other physicians, speech-pathologists, nutrionists, and physical therapist to ensure proper growth and development of the child. Cancer genetics involves finding striking family history of an individual and then providing proper preventative measures. Or proper genetic testing. I hope this helps you.