The Department on Human Genetics at the University of Chicago and Children’s Memorial Hospital at Northwestern University School of Medicine has an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved training program in medical genetics. The program is designed to offer residents an exposure to a broad array of clinical genetics diseases, provide the appropriate skills needed for genetics evaluation and genetic counseling, develop an appreciation of the utilization and interpretation of genetics tests, and to foster the development of basic sciences research. Cancer genetics rotations occur at the NorthShore program in Evanston and additional time is spent in multiple clinical genetics laboratories (biochemical, molecular, and cytogenetic) as well as an opportunity to pursue basic sciences research (see block schedule). This allows residents the opportunity to see a vast diversity of patients and work with multiple board certified medical geneticists.

Structure of the standard UC/NU Medical Genetics residency program:

Year 1
7 months Clinical genetics (UC)
2 months Prenatal genetics (UC or NU)
0.5 month Biochemical laboratory genetics (NU)
1.5 months Clinical cytogenetics and laboratory molecular genetics (UC)
1 month Cancer cytogenetics and clinical cancer genetics (UC)

Year 2
4 months Clinical genetics (NU)
2 months Cancer Genetics NorthShore Hospital
6 months Research experience or clinical electives (UC or NU)

Please click on this link to see more information about the rotations.

The training programs have a wide range of clinical and research activities including chromosome abnormalities, orphan disease diagnostics, cancer genetics, pharmacogenetics, translation of new gene discoveries for diagnostic purposes and technology development. In addition, other research interests in the department include complex disease genetics, gene mapping, human gene variation and evolution and neurogenetics.

Course/Lecture series description:

HGEN 47000 – Human Genetics I: Human Genetics. This is a graduate course in human genetics that will be audited by the molecular genetics and cytogenetics fellows. This course covers classical and modern approaches to studying cytogenetic, Mendelian, and complex human diseases. Topics include chromosome biology, human gene discovery for single gene and complex diseases, non-Mendelian inheritance, mouse models of human disease, cancer genetics, and human population genetics. The format includes lectures and student presentations.

Medical Genetics Core Lecture Series: Comprises a series of lectures on different aspects of clinical genetics and genetic syndromes. This part will be given year round every 2 years.

The medical genetics-training program is for a minimum of two years and residents may extend their training to pursue basic sciences training if desired. Applicant requirements include completion of two years of residency in an ACGME accredited training program (typically in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, or Medicine).

Application:

Medical Genetics residency programs now participate in the National Residency Match Program with a match date in early December. Applications are through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) which opens in early summer for applications to be submitted. Interviews typically occur in the late summer and early fall.

Contact:

Darrel Waggoner, M.D.
Program Director
Department of Human genetics
The University of Chicago
5841 S. Maryland Ave. MC 0077
Chicago, IL 60637

Phone: 773-834-0555
dwaggone@bsd.uchicago.edu