Department of Genetics

The Department of Genetics provides genetics education and training to students, health professionals, researchers and the public, including graduate education (Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., genetic counseling), medical student preclinical and clinical teaching, residency training in all medical genetic disciplines, postdoctoral research, training in all ABMG specialties and continuing education for health providers.  Back to Education main page


 

 
   

 

 

Overview

The combined Internal Medicine/Medical Genetics track is intended to train physicians who are interested in the spectrum of genetic illnesses, and in particular the genetic predisposition of common diseases in the adult population. This 5-year program is co-administered by the Departments of Genetics and Internal Medicine, and upon completion trainees are board-eligible in both Internal Medicine and Medical Genetics. Graduates have many career options. In their clinical practice they can serve as the internist-geneticists, providing general care of patients with genetic conditions beginning in their transition to adulthood. They may pursue  additional subspecialty training in a medical fellowship (e.g., cardiology) or laboratory fellowship (e.g., molecular genetics). This path is also ideal for candidates interested in academic careers who want to undertake research in “adult” diseases with a genetic component, including the genetics of common diseases, clinical epidemiology, medical decision making and health care delivery.

The combined Internal Medicine/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 the practice of internal medicine to a new level. This program is flexible, and can be oriented towards the resident’s goals with significant exposure to general medicine and medical genetics activities, electives, 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 are available in both the internal medicine 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 above mentioned goals is a must. Graduates from this program will be highly sought after in academic settings, and will also have a unique clinical background that will be a plus in both private and academic environments.

 

Application Eligibility

Only electronic applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) are accepted for Internal Medicine residency positions.  All ERAS applications are reviewed and invitations to interview will be extended to those selected via e-mail. APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2008.

All R-1 positions for this program are selected through The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). We do NOT offer pre-match positions. The UAB Internal Medicine NRMP number for Match participation is: NRMP # 1007140C0 Categorical Track.

 

Although this 5-year combined training program focuses on clinical genetics training and research efforts more oriented towards adult genetic disease, the curriculum prepares graduates for Internal Medicine careers in research, teaching or departmental administration. Successful completion of this training program brings eligibility to become certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Medical Genetics.  Application to the combined program is made via ERAS and through registration with the NRMP.  Applicants apply to the Internal Medicine Categorical Track, NRMP # 1007140C0. The following documents are required and must be submitted with all Internal Medicine applications to the UAB Internal Medicine Residency Training Program via ERAS:

  • Dean's letter
  • Medical school transcript
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • USMLE Step 1 score report (required with initial application)
  • USMLE Steps 2 and 3 score reports are required if available. (Applicants are strongly encouraged to take Step 2 before beginning residency training. USMLE Step 2 must be taken and passed by August of the R-1 year to continue in the training program.)
  • Current photo
  • ECFMG certificate, if available

 

Application Process

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

 

Residency Schedule

 

Month
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Year Four
Year Five
July
 Emergency Medicine Subspec ward Genetics General Genetics Elective Genetics Research
Aug
 Inpatient ward-Renal Medical ICU Genetics Consult Genetics Molecular Genetics Research
Sept
 General Medicine Ward-VA

Subspecialty Consults

 Genetics Prenatal & Cancer Genetics Cyto Lab Genetics Research
Oct
 General Medicine Ward-VA Cardiology Ward

General Medicine Ward- UH

Subspecialty Consults

 Genetics Research
Nov
 General Medicine Ward-Cooper Green Subspec ward General Medicine Ward-Cooper Green Emergency Medicine Genetics Research
Dec
 General Medicine Ward-Cooper Green Cardiology Ward Neurology/Nutrition Subspecialty Consults Genetics Research
Jan
 Inpatient ward-Cardiology Genetics General Genetics Consult Genetics Biochemical Genetics Research
Feb
 GI Ward Genetics Consult Genetics Cancer Genetics Biochemical Genetics Research
Mar
 Subspecialty Wards Cooper Green Genetics Prenatal Genetics Consult Genetics Elective Genetics Research
Apr

MICU University Hospital

Genetics Consult

Wards VA Hospital

 Subspecialty Consults Genetics Research
May
 Emergency Medicine Genetics General

ICU VA Hospital

 Elective Genetics Research
Jun
 General Medicine Ward-VA Genetics Consult

Subspecialty Consults

 Subspecialty Consults Genetics Research

 

Note:
  
 
  1. The resident is board eligible for Internal Medicine at the conclusion of year 4, and for clinical genetics at the conclusion of year 5.
  2. There are 3 weeks of vacation in each year. In years 2-4 vacation is taken equally between genetics and internal medicine time.
  3. During Internal Medicine rotations the resident will have ½ day per month genetics follow up clinic as well as Internal Medicine continuity clinic; during genetics months the resident will have four days per months of Internal Medicine continuity clinic in addition to ½ day per month genetics follow up clinic. There is no continuity Internal Medicine clinic in year 5 (genetic research year).

 

Frequently Asked Question

Q: Does your program offer positions outside the Match?
A: No.  Our R-1 positions are available only through the National Resident Matching Program.

Q: Should one of the three required letters of recommendation be submitted by the Chairman of Medicine?
A: A Chairman's letter is not required, but is acceptable. We prefer that your recommendations be submitted by faculty members of your school who are well acquainted with you and your medical education experiences, and who can provide knowledgeable references for you.

Q: Does your program consider a minimal cut-off score for USMLE exams?
A: Passing scores for USMLE are required. There are no minimal passing score requirements; however, USMLE scores are considered an important part of the complete application, and higher USMLE scores offer a competitive edge to your application.

Q: Must IMG's be certified by the ECFMG to apply to your program?
A: An ECFMG certificate is not required at the time of application, but in order for IMG's to be considered for an interview, they must have completed USMLE Steps 2 and 3 and the CSA exam when submitting their applications (or the scores must be available prior to a scheduled interview). IMG's who are interviewed for this program MUST provide documentation (an ECFMG letter of certification or an ECFMG certificate) to our office PRIOR TO February 15, 2007.

Q: Is Prior US clinical training required for IMG's?
A: No. Prior US clinical training/experience is not specifically required, but, if documented, may be taken into consideration when your application is reviewed.

Q: Does your program sponsor H-1B Visas?
A: Visas that are accepted for IMG trainees are:

  • F-1 student visa
  • ECFMG-sponsored J-1 clinical visa
  • Our program may consider sponsoring H-1B Visas, on an individual basis (these are exempt from the cap)

Q: Does your program impose a limit on the graduate year of applicants?
A: No. Our Program does not limit the year of graduation of US grads or IMG's.

Q: Does your program require US clinical experience?
A: US clinical experience is not required, but all activities included in the application are reviewed and taken into consideration.

Q: Is there a deadline for IMG's taking the USMLE Step 3 exam?
A: The Step 3 exam must be taken within a timeline which allows the results to be available no later than February 1, 2008, for H-1B Visa Application.

Q: Does your program accept Complex scores from DO applicants?
A: Yes.  Our program does not require USMLE scores from DO applicants.

 

Contact Information

Sandra Pilkinton
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of Genetics
Kaul 210, 720 20th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: (205) 975-6867
Fax: (205) 975-6390
Email: spilkinton@genetics.uab.edu