Boston Children’s Hospital Pathology is a training site for the Harvard Medical School Molecular Genetic Pathology Training Program. The fellowship represents a collaboration of the major Harvard teaching hospitals. The overall goals of this one-year accredited training program are as follows.
- Provide extensive training in molecular diagnostics and molecular genetics, including inherited genetic disorders, disorders of human development, infectious disease, neoplasia, and identity testing
- Provide training in the performance and interpretation of molecular, cytogenetic and biochemical laboratory tests
- To gain real world experience with innovative and cutting edge technologies in molecular pathology
- Provide training as a medical consultant in Molecular Genetic Pathology to assist clinicians in the diagnosis and care of patients
- Provide training and direct exposure to laboratory management, quality assurance, troubleshooting of molecular tests, assay development and evaluation, and instrument evaluation
- Provide training and direct exposure to clinical genetic practice through active participation in genetics clinics with the aim of better understanding the clinical implications of genetic testing
Fellows achieve the following:
- A sound knowledge base of the basic science of molecular biology and molecular genetics
- Learn to integrate molecular and clinical data and calculate genetic risk
- Develop research skills and participate in a research project
- Demonstrate good communications skills with laboratory and clinical physicians, patients, technologists and ancillary staff
- Demonstrate sensitivity to ethical issues in genetics, particularly those raised by molecular diagnostic testing
To achieve this end, the trainees rotate through active molecular diagnostic laboratories at three Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals, including the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Massachusetts General Hospital, and participate in the respective pathology departments. Fellows also actively participate in genetics clinics at these institutions and the Dana-Farber Cancer Center. The fellowship is integrated with the HMS Genetics Training Program and shares a didactic program.
Requirements:
Applicants must be Board eligible or certified in Pathology or Medical Genetics. Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license.
Contact:
Alanna Church, MD, is an Associate Program Director for the Harvard Medical School Molecular Genetic Pathology Training Program and the Site Director for the Boston Children’s Hospital rotations.
Application:
Fellowship application form and inquiries should be submitted to:
Nathalie Serber
Administrative Assistant to Neal Lindeman, MD | Azra Ligon, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Center for Advanced Molecular Diagnostics
Shapiro Building, Room 5016
70 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 857.307.1562
nserber1@bwh.harvard.edu
