The Division of Human Genetics and the Pediatric Residency Program offer a five-year combined program leading to eligibility for certification in both Genetics and Pediatrics. This program has been approved by both The American Board of Pediatrics and The American Board of Medical Genetics.

Applicants match to this program by matching with the categorical pediatric program as the first year is identical to the PL-1 year. Applicants are urged to make their interest in this option known at the time of applying through ERAS.

Further information on the combined program can be obtained through the Office of Medical Education at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 860-545-9970 or by email to the Residency Program Coordinator, Aida Vélez, avelez@ccmckids.org, or to the Fellowship Program Coordinator, Veronica Tomlinson, vtomlin@ccmckids.org.

For information on the University of Connecticut Health Center, Division of Human Genetics’ Services and Programs, please refer to: www.genetics.uchc.edu/human_genetics/index.htm.

A brief outline of the program is below.

The first year of the program is primary Pediatrics, including inpatient, emergency medicine, NICU, ambulatory, well baby (normal newborn), behavior and development and elective(s).   The pediatric ambulatory blocks will include continuity clinic, and our residents have been able to provide longitudinal care for patients with genetic conditions.

The second year of the program is primarily Genetics, with approximately two blocks of pediatrics, which may be a NICU and PICU block.  The Genetics experience will include general genetics consultation service, prenatal genetics, molecular genetics, biochemical genetics and cytogenetics laboratory rotations.
           
The third year is a balance of approximately 5 blocks Pediatrics/ 7 months Genetics (one block vacation) to include and expand on general genetics clinical visits and in-patient consultations, prenatal genetics and the addition of the Hereditary Cancer Program experience, teratology evaluations (through the Pregnancy Exposure Information Service in the Division of Human Genetics) and additional specialty clinic to include neuromuscular diseases.   The Pediatrics rotations include additional ambulatory, emergency medicine, elective(s) and adolescent medicine.  During this time the resident will continue to evaluate possible research opportunities.

The fourth year consists of approximately 7 blocks of Pediatrics, and 5 of Genetics.  (One block vacation) In the Pediatrics blocks, there are additional supervisory ambulatory, inpatient and emergency medicine and PICU experiences as well as electives.  The Genetics blocks continue to include additional experiences in general genetics, prenatal genetics, and teratology, as well as laboratory rotations early in the year to ensure time to select and begin a research for the fifth year.  The resident in Genetics also takes on additional supervisory roles.

The final year consists of six months of research in Genetics, with an additional two months of clinical rotations.  There are four Pediatrics blocks which usually include inpatient, ambulatory, and additional required rotations.