Medical Genetics Specialty at a Glance

The practice of medical genetics includes health care providers who evaluate and treat patients with known or suspected genetic disorders. These conditions include chromosome abnormalities, birth defects, metabolic disorders, dysmorphology and predispositions to common disorders such as cancer and heart disease.

Medical geneticists provide hands-on patient care to adults and children. Medical genetics is exceptional in that we use cutting edge technology to help diagnose children and adults with complex health needs. The field encompasses virtually every organ system and both physical and psychosocial needs must be considered in the care of patients with genetic conditions. Thus, the specialty is ideal for any student who is interested in caring for the whole human being.

According to the American College of Medical Genetics, “medical geneticists work at the intersection of research and clinical care, in a variety of professional and practice settings. Across the board, medical geneticists will tell you that their careers are engaging, challenging and rewarding.”

It is important that they introduce themselves to Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics faculty who participate or lecture in MCT (including the MCT co-course director, Stephanie Sharpe, MD, who can forward your interest to the clinical genetics faculty members). They should also apply to the Genetics in Medicine Scholarly Concentration Program in Year 1 and/or seek laboratory opportunities in the summer between Year 1 and Year 2 (via the IMPRS Summer Research Program/internship), or between Years 2 and 3.

The medical genetics elective is recommended for any student considering medical genetics as a future career.

Pediatrics, obstetrics or family medicine would all provide valuable clinical experience.

No, it is not recommended to take an away rotation for this specialty.

Research is encouraged. Genetics research is conducted in many different specialties and experience need not be limited to the medical and molecular genetics department per se.

Medical genetics is an academic specialty, with most positions nationally being housed at academic medical institutions. However, research is certainly not a requirement and there is considerable need for specialists who are interested in providing clinical care exclusively. Students who are interested in clinical science and/or education tracks are encouraged to explore the possibilities available to them in the field of medical genetics.

There are two options for residency training in medical genetics.

The first option is combined training such as pediatrics and medical genetics, or internal medicine and medical genetics. These programs are four years in length and prepare the resident for board certification in both specialties. Students enter the combined programs directly out of medical school.

A second option is the categorical medical genetics residency. This option requires at least a preliminary year which may be in pediatrics, internal medicine or family medicine. Some residents complete a full residency in pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine or OB/GYN before applying to the categorical medical genetics residency. The categorical residency is two years in length and leads to board certification in clinical genetics. For individuals who complete an OB/GYN residency, there are also combined programs with maternal fetal medicine fellowship or reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship.

At least one recommendation from a board-certified medical geneticist would strongly help an applicant. This would usually come from a faculty mentor supervising a research or clinical elective in medical genetics.

IU School of Medicine currently offers residency training in clinical genetics as well as a combined residency in pediatrics-medical genetics.

The American College of Medical Genetics has a student interest group program available.

Information about careers in medical genetics, including further training in fellowships and sub-specialties are available at the ABMGG and ACMG websites:

• Primary specialties
• Clinical genetics and genomics
• Clinical biochemical genetics
• Laboratory genetics and genomics
• Subspecialties
• Medical biochemical genetics
• Molecular genetic pathology

Faculty in medical genetics (and from the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics) participate in the Phase 1 course Molecules to Cells and Tissues (MCT), as well as the Mentoring and Advising program (MAP) as career mentors, and interested students can establish a longitudinal mentoring relationship at that time. Interested students may seek laboratory research opportunities during the summer after their first year of medical school or take an elective rotation during their fourth year. IU has a strong residency program in medical genetics and our genetics faculty is always ready to speak with any student who might be interested in career counseling. Read more about career counseling.

There are two programs designed for students enthusiastic about medical genetics. These include the Genetics in Medicine Scholarly Concentration in collaboration with the IMPRS summer research internships (a Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics faculty member, Brittney-Shea Herbert, PhD, directs both) and the Medical Genetics Student Interest Group. Students apply for the scholarly concentration program in the middle of their first year and can join the student interest group at any time. Theo Wilson, MD, is the contact person for the Medical Genetics SIG (gimsig@iu.edu; theowils@iu.edu).