Genetics Residency

Matthew Pastore
Program Coordinator-Medical Genetics Residency
(614) 722-2465

Program Objectives

It is anticipated that residents who complete the Medical Genetics residency at Children’s Hospital will be fully competent to provide the highest level of subspecialty care in this field for patients.  Graduates will be prepared to provide not only detailed and non-directive genetic counseling, but expertise in the diagnosis and management of congenital, metabolic and other heritable disorders. 

An additional third year of training as bench or clinical research is an option for those residents who desire to pursue an academic/research career.  To this end, residents must demonstrate detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of genetic disorders, a dedication to scholarly research pursuits and fulfillment of the ACGME General Competencies as outlined below.

Our program is accredited by the ACGME Residency Review Committee in Medical Genetics.

We are currently awaiting approval of a five-year combined pediatrics/medical genetics residency program at our institution.  Unlike the two-year medical genetics residency, individuals would be selected via the match for this program.  Please contact us if you are interested in this program and would like an update on the program's status.

Curriculum

The primary location for resident training is Nationwide Children’s Hospital. However, rotations in Adult and Cancer Genetics and Perinatal/Prenatal Diagnosis are conducted at The Ohio State University. Residents must also complete rotations in laboratories at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University. Residents are required to take graduate level courses at the end of their first year in Human Genetics and Medical Cytogenetics at The Ohio State University.

Eligibility

Completion of at least two years of a primary residency in an ACGME-accredited program is required prior to entering a medical genetics residency. 

Download the Genetics Residency Admission Criteria for more information about eligibility.

Please note that our institution requests a J1 visa for non-citizens.

Certification

Upon completion of the program, it is anticipated that resident trainees will qualify to sit for board certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) in clinical genetics.

Below are the ABMG requirements:
For applicants for the Clinical Genetics specialty only, board-eligibility requirements are either:

  1. 24 months of satisfactorily completed full-time training in an ACGME-accredited residency program in a specialty (other than clinical genetics) that is recognized by the ABMS (e.g., pediatrics, ob-gyn, internal medicine) and an additional 24 months of satisfactorily completed full-time training in an ACGME-accredited clinical genetics residency program;
OR
  1. 48 months of satisfactorily completed full-time training in an ACGME-accredited 4-year clinical genetics residency. (Note: In this instance the 48 months of training satisfy both the graduate medical training requirement and the medical genetics training requirement);
OR

  1. 60 months of satisfactorily completed full-time training in an ACGME-accredited combined pediatrics / medical genetics or internal medicine / medical genetics residency. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the combined residency, a trainee is qualified to apply for certification by either or both the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and the ABMG OR either or both the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the ABMG. Applicants must satisfactorily complete the specific credentialing requirements of each Board to be eligible to sit for the examination of that Board. Certification in one specialty is not contingent upon certification in the other.

For further information regarding ABMG certification, please see the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) Website.

Application/Contact

Our genetics residency has attracted a great deal of interest. For this reason, we recommend eligible candidates submit the following, which is accepted as an application, 18-24 months prior to the academic year in which they are interested.

Eligible individuals should send:

  • A letter of interest 
  • A curriculum vitae
  • Three letters of reference

Items should be submitted to the following address:

Matthew Pastore
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Program Coordinator – Medical Genetics Residency
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 722-2465
(614) 722-3546
Matthew.Pastore@NationwideChildrens.org

Clinical Molecular Genetics and Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory Fellowships

Nationwide Children’s Hospital also offers a two-year laboratory fellowship in both Molecular Genetics & Cytogenetics.  This fellowship is in joint cooperation with The Ohio State University. Candidates wishing to study a second sub-specialty may be able to opt for a third year. Eligible candidates for the Molecular or Cytogenetics training program must have a Ph.D. in a biological sciences field, or have completed the Clinical Medical Genetics residency (MDs only).  A medical doctorate is not required. Eligible candidates should submit a current CV and three (3) acceptable letters of reference.  Candidates should be visa eligible with good English language skills.  Our institution requests a J1 visa.

Items should be submitted to the following address:
Matthew Pastore
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Program Coordinator – Medical Genetics Residency
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 722-2465
(614) 722-3546
Matthew.Pastore@NationwideChildrens.org