Overview

The combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics track is intended to train physicians who are interested in the spectrum of genetic illnesses, with a special focus on those diseases that affect the pediatric population. This five-year program is co-administered by the departments of Genetics and Pediatrics, and upon completion trainees are board-eligible in both pediatrics and medical genetics. Graduates will have many career options. In their clinical practice they can serve as pediatric geneticists, providing general care for patients with a variety genetic conditions. They may pursue additional subspecialty training in a medical fellowship (e.g., pediatric cardiology) or laboratory fellowship (e.g., cytogenetics). This path also is ideal for candidates interested in academic careers who want to undertake research in genetic diseases, including birth defects, developmental disorders, and clinical epidemiology.

The combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics track offers the opportunity to explore a brand-new field in an era of novel gene discoveries and genomic medicine. This track is designed to train pioneers in basic, translational, or clinical research, eager to bring this new technology to the practice of pediatrics. This program is flexible and can be oriented towards the resident's goals, with significant training in general pediatrics and medical genetics activities, electives, and clinical laboratory experiences and a full year of research that can be complemented with a sixth year in a researcher's lab. Clinical activities are extensive, and exceptional faculty is available in both the pediatrics and medical genetics departments. Due to the flexibility and novelty of the program, the ideal candidate has to be very enthusiastic, responsible, and goal-oriented. This is a five-year program, and commitment to the abovementioned goals is a must. Graduates from this program will be highly sought after in academic settings and will have a unique clinical background that will be a plus in both private and academic environments.


Application Eligibility

The UAB Pediatric Residency Training Program only accepts applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). For more information about ERAS, please contact your medical school dean's office. International medical graduates must register for ERAS by contacting the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Applicants for the PGY-1 level are selected through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). The NRMP number for UAB's Pediatric Residency Program is 1007320C0.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have found that many people have questions regarding the following information. Should you have additional questions, please refer to our Web site for more information on our program and the city of Birmingham (www.peds.uab.edu).

• We do accept international medical graduates (IMGs) into our program. UAB accepts both J-1 and H-1 visas (on an individual basis).
• Our program directors do not review information (CVs, letters, etc.) prior to application for residency.
• We only accept applications through ERAS and have an application deadline of December 1. We only accept positions through the NRMP.
• Upon receiving and reviewing applications, the program directors will send out invitations to those who will be interviewed.
• We do not have minimum board score requirements, though we do have a very competitive program, and higher scores can enhance your application.
• We prefer that you have had some clinical experience within the U.S. Pediatric Observerships.
• If you are required to take the CSA exam, you must have taken and passed it prior to being interviewed.
• It is preferable that you have graduated from medical school within the past five years, although we will consider your application up to 10 years from the date of graduation.
• We require a copy of your passing TOEFL scores prior to interviewing.
• Two letters of recommendation are required in addition to a Dean's letter. We also require a personal statement, medical school transcript and photo.

Application Process

We only accept applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). To apply for the Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Combined Program, you'll need to apply first for the UAB Pediatric Residency Training Program. Once you are contacted for interview, it is important to let the coordinator know that you are applying for the Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Combined Program.

Residency Schedule (from July of the current year to June next year)

Note:

1. The resident is board eligible for pediatrics at the conclusion of year 4 and for clinical genetics at the conclusion of year 5.
2. There are four weeks of vacation in each year. In years 2–4 vacation is taken equally between genetics and pediatrics time.
3. During Pediatric rotations, the resident will have a half-day-per-month genetics follow-up clinic as well as a half-day-per-week pediatric continuity clinic; during genetics months the resident will have two half-day-per-months of pediatric continuity clinic in addition to a half-day-per-month genetics follow-up clinic. There is no continuity pediatric clinic in year 5 (genetic research year).  

Contact Information

Nathaniel H. Robin, M.D., Program Director
Michele Nichols, M.D., Program Director

or

Contact the Department of Pediatrics
E-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (205) 939-9589