Clinical Genetics Training Program
About our clinical and laboratory genetics training programs
Our genetics training programs integrate clinical and research experiences at both Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Clinical training programs include an integrated Pediatric/Genetics Residency program and a Medical Genetics Residency training program for physicians who have completed training in a clinical specialty such as pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, or other relevant specialties, as well as the Medical Biochemical Genetics Fellowship program. Laboratory training programs include the Laboratory and Genomic Diagnostic Fellowship program and Clinical Biochemical Genetics Fellowship program.
Clinical training programs
Pediatrics/Genetics Combined Residency Program
We offer a four-year integrated Pediatrics/Genetics Residency program (in conjunction with the Department of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) leading to board eligibility in both disciplines. The first year of the training program is a typical pediatrics intern year. The remainder of the years integrate pediatrics and medical genetics rotations. Please see below for a listing of Medical Genetics rotations.
Medical Genetics Residency Program
The University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offer a unique opportunity for training in human genetics. The program integrates experiences at CHOP, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and other clinical and research opportunities available at the University of Pennsylvania.
This training program, which is under the co-sponsorship of the Departments of Pediatrics, Genetics, Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania and the Division of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology at CHOP, is designed for physicians who have completed training in a clinical specialty such as pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, or other relevant specialties.
For the MD trainee, the first year is devoted to training in clinical genetics. Although the schedule is individualized according to a person's prior experiences, interests and training, the usual rotations include:
- Clinical genetics service
- Biochemical genetics service, including experience in metabolic screening
- Laboratory rotation (cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, molecular genetics)
- Adult medical genetics at HUP
- Prenatal Genetics at HUP
During the second year of the training, residents focus on research activities and continue to participate in genetic clinics. At the end of the training, the resident should be competent to diagnose, clinically manage, and counsel patients with chromosomal anomalies, inborn errors of metabolism, adult genetic conditions, and other genetic syndromes. Residents should have a thorough understanding of the use and interpretation of genetic and metabolic laboratory tests that are essential to pre- and post-natal diagnosis and management.
The graduate will be eligible to take the American Board of Medical Genetics examinations in the relevant disciplines and should qualify for faculty appointment in an appropriate department in a major medical school. Foreign medical graduates must have at least two years residency training in an accredited program in the United States. USMLE exams 1, 2 and 3 must be completed and scores forwarded with your application for all applicants.
Clinical services
Educational experiences
Clinical and laboratory trainees have a variety of educational experiences:
- Weekly Genetics Grand Rounds
- Weekly didactic lectures, taught by faculty in the division
- Occasional opportunities to teach other trainees
- Didactic experiences within various rotations (see above)
Presentation and meeting opportunities
Trainees have opportunities to give presentations and attend meetings:
- Case presentations at Genetics Grand Rounds.
- Clinical trainees attend NAMA (North American Metabolic Academy) once during their training.
- Clinical trainees are expected to attend at least one meeting during their final year of training:
- David W Smith Dysmorphology meeting
- American College of Medical Genetics meeting
- American Society of Human Genetics meeting
- Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease
Research program
Combined Pediatrics/Genetics trainees spend roughly 75 percent of their final year of training devoted to research. Medical Genetics trainees spend 75 percent of the second and third years of training devoted to research. The trainee may choose from many research opportunities in the following areas: molecular genetics, cytogenetics, somatic cell genetics, cancer genetics population genetics, biochemical genetics, gene regulation, prenatal diagnosis, teratology, embryology, differentiation and developmental genetics, and immunogenetics. Trainees are expected to complete a major research project as the primary investigator. The opportunity to participate in an additional (fourth year) highly specialized research project may also be available.
How to apply
Clinical training programs
CHOP participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for the Medical Genetics and Pediatric/Genetics combined residencies. Applicants should submit their applications through ERAS. Please visit CHOP’s Pediatrics Residency Program page for details about how to apply using the ERAS system.
For additional information about the program or application process, please contact Cara Skraban at SkrabanC@chop.edu or Jessie Reynoso at REYNOSOF@chop.edu.
Applicants seeking advanced training in biochemical genetics or the laboratory disciplines should apply as follows:
- Interested applicants should download the application packet. The application packet or any questions can be sent to GeneticsTraining@chop.edu.
- Applicants for positions in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics should email Gina Riggins Kohn.
Other requirements
To carry out its mission, it is of critical importance for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to keep our patients, families and workforce safe and healthy and to support the health of our global community. In keeping with this, CHOP has mandated all workforce members (including trainees) on site at any CHOP location for any portion of their time be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
This mandate also applies to workforce members or trainees performing work for CHOP at non-CHOP locations. Additionally, all workforce members based in or regularly scheduled to work at any New Jersey location are mandated to be both vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, with booster timing consistent with applicable guidelines. The CHOP COVID-19 vaccine mandate is in alignment with applicable local, state and federal mandates. CHOP also requires all workforce members and trainees who work in patient care buildings or who provide patient care to receive an annual influenza vaccine. Employees may request exemption consideration for CHOP vaccine requirements for valid religious and medical reasons. Please note start dates may be delayed until candidates are fully immunized or valid exemption requests are reviewed. In addition, candidates other than those in positions with regularly scheduled hours in New Jersey, must attest to not using tobacco products.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. CHOP is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor seeking priority referrals for protected veterans.
CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.
We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Residents
2024-2025 Chief Residents
Michelle McCrone, MD | 
Katherine Szigety, MD, PhD, MS |
Pediatric/Medical Genetics and Genomics
Post Graduate Year (PGY-1)
Mary Leff, MD | 
Daniel Park, MD, PhD |
Mary Tarantino, MD, PhD |
Post Graduate Year (PGY-2)
Kristin Cardiel Nunez, MD | 
Ajay Mehta, MD |
Post Graduate Year (PGY-3)
Anthony Gacita, MD, PhD | 
Christina Wright, MD, PhD |
Post Graduate year (PGY-4)
|
Katherine Szigety, MD, PhD, MS | 
Yanli Wang, MD, PhD |
Medical Genetics and Genomics Residents
Post Graduate Year (PGY-5)
|
Michelle McCrone, MD |
Clinical Biochemical Genetics
Idris Wazeerud-Din, PhD | 
Shubhnita Singh, MBBS, PhD |
Medical Biochemical Genetics
Sarah Bick, MD | 
Vittoria Rossi, MD |
Lysosomal Storage Disease
Éliane Beauregard-Lacroix, MD |