Clinical Genetics Residency

Residency Program Director – Elliot Stolerman, MD

*NOTE – GGC is not currently accepting ERAS applications in 2023 for a clinical genetics residency starting in 2024.

The clinical genetics residency at the Greenwood Genetic Center is designed to provide intensive postgraduate clinical experience with heritable or potentially heritable conditions. Residents are required to have completed a primary care residency program (family practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN or pediatrics) in the United States. Clinical training includes exposure to prenatal, pediatric and adult genetics and counseling (2,500 new families per year). Specifically, the resident will see a wide range of heritable disorders, reviewing the evaluation and management of each patient with their preceptor. The student will learn principles of heredity through conferences, internal graduate courses and clinical experience. Moreover they will study the nature of genetic disorders and their impact on the individual, family, and society.

The writing of case reports and reviews, utilization of genetic literature and the preparation of lectures will be integral parts in the residency learning process. All residents are required to take a core course in Advanced Human Genetics through the Center.

While many heritable disorders have medical impact, the content and focus of the clinical residency at the Greenwood Genetic Center will be weighted toward birth defects and intellectual disability. Comprehensive prenatal, pediatric and adult patient genetic evaluations are provided to the upstate region of South Carolina through offices in Greenwood and Greenville. Experience with individuals and families having intellectual disability will be largely gained through patients of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs in statewide outreach clinics. Experience in dysmorphology will be obtained in the multiple regional and statewide outreach clinics. Additionally, the resident will have in-patient consults through Self Regional Healthcare and prenatal experience through the Greenville Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program, Greenville and Greenwood Ob/Gyn, to gain experience in prenatal and neonatal diagnostics, and the care and management of genetic disease.

The resident will also obtain laboratory and fetal pathology experience in the Anatomical Studies Section of the J. C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics. Rotation in fetal pathology is designed to improve the residents ability to recognize and evaluate malformations and other abnormalities of human development. The student will gain practical experience in gross and microscopic study of specific fetal cases, for the purpose of diagnosis, understanding of cause and management of recurrence risk issues and counseling. Monthly Fetal Boards take place through Greenville Memorial Hospital. After successful completion of the residency program, the physician resident should be qualified for independent clinical practice in medical genetics or an academic position in clinical genetics. The resident will be prepared to sit for the examination given by the American Board of Medical Genetics for certification as a clinical geneticist.

Lab Rotations: Residents who will pursue the two-year genetic residency tract will arrange three 3-week rotations in each of our diagnostic laboratories: molecular, biochemical and cytogenetics. The purpose of these rotations is to gain a more complete understanding of the diagnostic and research functions of these laboratories in relation to clinical practice. The student will be expected to meet specific goals and objectives for each laboratory rotation. For those residents choosing the three-year tract, the additional year can be spent as an elective in the research laboratories.

Research Elective: The J. C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, a division of the Greenwood Genetic Center, offers the resident an opportunity for extensive research and training on molecular and anatomical approaches to birth defects and intellectual disability. Current research activities of the faculty of the Research Institute include: localization, isolation, and characterization of genes responsible for X-linked intellectual disability; mutation analysis of patients with X-linked hydrocephalus, Aarskog syndrome, EDA (ectodermal dysplasia); identification and characterization of genes involved in lissencephaly, ectrodactyly and the BOR (branchial-oto-renal) syndrome; identification of candidate genes for neural tube defects and autism.

Library Access: The Center’s extensive English language library holdings contain over 1,000 monographs and pertinent genetics textbooks, including rare and historical book collections in the area of birth defects. Over 60 current major Medical and Medical Genetics journals are in circulation as well as a substantial number of back volumes for another 50 titles. The library also provides a comprehensive collection of patient photos, slides, and radiographs from our clinical and research studies. A full-time librarian is on staff to assist in searches and interlibrary loans.

Didactic Teaching: Residents are required to participate in a regular set of conferences and lectures throughout the period of training. In addition, residents have the opportunity to attend other seminars and lectures given through the Center. Required conferences are:

  • Weekly Case Review 8:15-9:15 AM, Fridays – Clinical and research presentations
  • Advanced Human Genetics Graduate Course
  • Statewide Genetics Case Review and Seminar – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2nd Friday of each month. Review of patients seen on consultation; Seminar by faculty
    member or visiting faculty
  • Statewide Genetic Conclaves – Annual scientific and patient presentations

Application Process

Prior to appointment in the program, residents must have successfully completed at least 12 months of direct patient care experience in an ACGME-accredited residency program. The candidate must also be licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Applications are handled through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) site.

Application to the GGC residency program follows the deadlines of the ERAS site. Interviews are arranged and final decisions will be made as soon as possible.

Greenwood Genetic Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and interested minorities are encouraged to apply.

Mother and son

A Rare Beauty

The lobby of the JC Self Research Institute at GGC was transformed into a garden – of sorts. The art exhibit titled ‘Rare Roses’ consisted of 12 paintings that depict real roses with genetic variations. The series was created by Nicole Shannon, an artist from Greenville. Nicole was inspired by her son, who has a rare genetic disorder, and other individuals with genetic differences. Quinn, now 4, was born with a myriad of health issues and ...

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