Prospective Residents
Medical Genetics Perks
The UTHealth Houston Pediatrics/Medical Genetics Residency Program affords trainees a host of unique opportunities for highly customized learning:
During the 24 months of medical genetics training, residents have six months of an Individualized Learning Plan which they can use for scholarly activities such as writing up case series or producing a research project. There is also funding for a one-month ‘away elective,’ and each resident is able to actually select and design their own elective to help fill their identified knowledge gaps.
Residents are also sponsored to attend the North American Metabolic Academy (SIMD NAMA) for an immersion in Biochemical Genetics to enhance their knowledge base. There is also support for attendance — at least twice — at a national meeting like the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) plus an annual $500 educational discretionary fund per resident.
Perhaps the most meaningful perk is the chance to participate in Camp PHEver, one of the only camps worldwide for children affected by Phenylketonuria (PKU). Though there are family camps for PKU, where parents accompany their child, Camp PHEver is a regular camp just for kids. Residents serve on the medical team and get to ride horses, climb rock walls, shoot arrows and experience all the camp adventures, building relationships directly with their campers. It can be life changing for both the campers and the staff.
Salaries and Benefits
Stipends for all trainees are determined by UTHealth Houston Graduate Medical Education. In addition to salaried benefits, trainees are covered with full medical benefits; vision and dental can be obtained at marginal costs. Basic life insurance is also provided. Dependents may be added at the start of each year or with major events (such as marriage, child-birth) at a discounted rate.
Residents are also encouraged to use these supports as needed:
- Employee Assistance Program to help residents resolve problems in their personal lives that may affect performance in their professional programs
- Fellow & Resident Assistance Programs offer proactive support for all dimensions of well-being — physical, mental, financial, legal and more
Wellness
Wellness is an integral part of every Department of Pediatrics training program. Events are hosted throughout the year including happy hours, class retreats, annual holiday parties and yearly graduation ceremonies with families. Trainees also have complimentary access to the UTHealth Houston Recreation Centers: the main location features an Olympic-sized pool as well as cutting-edge exercise equipment, group exercise, wellness activities, and group sports, while the McGovern Medical School Fitness Center is an 1800-square-foot space open 24/7 that features two single-user all-gender restrooms with showers, daily lockers with programmable locks, and a concise range of cardio and resistance machines, conveniently located in the penthouse of the medical school building.
