ACGME-Accredited Clinical Laboratory Fellowships
Both ACGME-accredited fellowships educate highly competent and compassionate leaders in genetics who will successfully enter the genetics workforce and be lifelong learners and leaders through maintenance of certification (MOC) by the ACGME as laboratory directors.
Our rigorous, comprehensive curriculum offers:
- Diverse clinical laboratory experiences that foster inter-professional relationships across campus and affiliate sites with faculty and staff
- Relevant research opportunities that encourage critical thinking, connecting and solving complex challenges in genetic research while contributing to the knowledge base of the profession
- An environment that promotes socially responsible practice in serving the public and medical profession assuring standards of excellence in genetics
Biochemical Genetics and Newborn Screening Fellowship
The ACGME-accredited biochemical genetics clinical laboratory fellowship prepares individuals with a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or DO) to direct operations of an accredited biochemical genetics laboratory and to conduct academic research as it relates to clinical laboratory testing. Fellows may complete the American Board of Medical Genetics’ General Genetics and Clinical Biochemical Genetics examinations.
The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and the Department of Pediatrics Division of Genetics and Metabolism are recruiting one applicant for the Biochemical Genetics fellowship. This two-year training program is designed to teach skills necessary to direct operations of an accredited biochemical genetics laboratory as well as conduct academic research as related to clinical laboratory testing. This program is offered in collaboration with the Wisconsin Newborn Screening Laboratory. This unique relationship is intended to provide a comprehensive learning environment, exposing training fellows to the field of biochemical genetics and its interface with newborn screening. Additional information regarding testing in the biochemical genetics and newborn screening laboratories can be found on the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene website.
Clinical Biochemical Genetics Laboratory Experience
Fellows will:
- Master clinical biochemical genetics testing techniques, recognize and interpret metabolic aberrations and disease profiles, and initiate complementary studies as indicated
- Master technologies used in newborn screening laboratory to identify patients at risk for metabolic conditions
- Understand the role of the screening laboratory and its relationship to the clinical diagnostic laboratory
- Interpret and communicate test results in clear, understandable language for referring physicians, healthcare providers, and patients
- Identify, reach out, and interact collaboratively with key stakeholders who contribute to various faucets of the newborn screening program, local, state, and federal levels
- Understanding the impact of ethical, legal, social issues on public health policy surrounding newborn screening
- Collaborate productively with clinical colleagues
- Collaborate with Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics laboratories and other referral laboratories as needed
- Become acquainted with quality assurance procedures including CAP/ CLIA accreditation and monitoring of key quality indicators for both the biochemical genetics and newborn screening laboratories
- Identify laboratory management strategies and fiscal issues of directing a laboratory within the climate of managed care
- Master appropriate processing of all human specimens for biochemical/molecular analysis and to recognize the requirements for safe handling of specimens
Research Experience
- Learn, in the context of the entire training program, how to initiate independent and/or collaborative research
Teaching Experience
- Become a capable instructor for teaching and training at all levels
Laboratory Genetics & Genomics
The ACGME-accredited laboratory genetics and genomics fellowship prepares individuals with a doctoral degree (PhD, MD or DO) to function as a LGG laboratory director. At the end of this two-year fellowship, fellows may complete the American Board of Medical Genetics’ General Genetics and LGG examinations.
This program is offered in collaboration with the UW Cytogenetic Service and Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene; the UW Department of Pediatrics, UW Health, and PreventionGenetics, Inc. in Marshfield, Wisconsin. This unique relationship with our partner labs provides fellows with a broad range of clinical genetic testing experience, using state-of-the-art methods and in a variety of environments.
Clinical Laboratory Experience
- Master clinical cytogenetics and molecular techniques, recognize and interpret molecular/cytogenetic aberrations, and initiate complementary or confirmatory studies as indicated
- Master appropriate processing of all human tissues for cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis and recognize the requirement for safe handling of tissue, and tissue culture specimens
- Interpret and communicate test results in clear, understandable language for referring physicians, healthcare providers and patients
- Collaborate productively with clinical colleagues
- Be acquainted with quality assurance procedures, laboratory management and fiscal issues of directing a laboratory within the climate of managed care
Research Experience
Fellows will learn — in the context of the entire training program — how to seek extramural funding for and to initiate independent and/or collaborative research. Opportunities for collaborative research are available in a variety of genetic subspecialties and are required for completion of training.
Education Experience
Fellows will learn how to become capable instructors for teaching and training at all levels. Trainees will attend and present at weekly/monthly clinical and laboratory conferences, journal clubs, and case reviews. Fellows will interact with clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, and other staff who refer patients for cytogenetics and molecular testing. Multiple opportunities to discuss cases regarding pertinent clinical features, laboratory findings and counseling issues continue during the 24 months.
ACGME-Accredited Clinical Fellowship
The ACGME-accredited clinical medical geneticist fellowship prepares individuals with a doctoral degree (MD or DO) to provide comprehensive genetic diagnostic, management, therapeutic, and counseling services.
Clinical Medical Geneticist Fellowship
Clinical Experience
Due to the personal nature of clinical genetics services and the small size of the program, fellows build close working relationships with faculty in a variety of settings. Outpatient services take place at Waisman Center clinics and outreach sites, where fellows work collaboratively with board-certified genetics counselors. Inpatient consultations take place at American Family Children’s Hospital, University Hospital and two local neonatal intensive care units.
Research Experience
Learners explore options for laboratory placement during the first year of training. Research activities occupy approximately 50 percent of the second year, and research and/or clinical laboratory training fill the third year if there is interest in an ABMGG specialty. Research facilities include:
- The Waisman Center, which houses state-of-the-art research space for molecular genetics, gene therapy, stem cell, and clinical research programs; and
- The University of Wisconsin Collaborative Genomics Core (UWCGC), which provides clinical laboratory testing, research support and state-of-the-art training for genomics-related programs across the UW-Madison campus. ABMGG fellowship director Jennifer Laffin, PhD, FACMG, co-directs the UWCGC.
Teaching Experience
Fellows have multiple opportunities to gain teaching experience working with residents in pediatrics and other disciplines, as well as medical students and genetics counseling interns, as they rotate through the genetics service. Participation in weekly case conference(s), journal clubs, a collaborative genomics conference and other seminars also provides opportunities to enhance teaching skills.