ACMG Foundation Announces Revolutionary New Summer Genetics Scholars Program

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Medical students from around the country will have an opportunity to experience firsthand the new frontier of medicine in a revolutionary new genetics summer training program just announced by the American College of Medical Genetics Foundation, a prominent non-profit genetics foundation.

There is no charge for medical students to participate as an ACMG Summer Genetics Scholar and, in fact, students will earn a weekly paid stipend for the 6-8 week program.  

This is the first program of its kind in the United States.  

"The intent of the ACMG Summer Genetics Scholars Program is to introduce medical students to the breadth of experiences, opportunities and lifestyle inherent in the professional practice of a medical geneticist.  With a forecasted shortage of highly trained genetics professionals, our hope is that we will able to encourage more students to consider the genetics specialty as a potential career choice at the completion of medical school," said ACMG Foundation President R. Rodney Howell, MD, FACMG.

Twenty institutions from around the US will participate in hosting ACMG Summer Genetics Scholars including:

• Case Western Center for Human Genetics
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Children's Hospital Boston
• DuPont Hospital for Children
• Emory University School of Medicine
• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services
• Greenwood Genetic Center
• Loma Linda University Medical Center
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute
• Tufts Medical Center
• UCLA Department of Human Genetics
• University of Alabama - Birmingham
• University of California - San Francisco
• University of Maryland School of Medicine
• University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
• Vanderbilt Clinical Genetics Program

Medical students who have completed at least one year of medical school may apply.

Funding for the new ACMG Foundation Summer Genetics Scholars Program is being provided by the ACMG Foundation and corporate sponsors through educational grants.  Corporate sponsors to date include Ucyclyd Pharma, Inc. -- Lead Sponsor; BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. -- Sponsor;  Shire Human Genetic Therapies - Sponsor; and Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.-- Contributor.

More information about the new ACMG Summer Genetics Scholars Program can be found at www.acmgfoundation.org.

About the American College of Medical Genetics

Founded in 1991, the American College of Medical Genetics (www.acmg.net) advances the practice of medical genetics by providing education, resources and a voice for more than 1400 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics. ACMG's activities include the development of laboratory and practice standards and guidelines, advocating for quality genetic services in healthcare and in public health, and promoting the development of methods to diagnose, treat and prevent genetic disease. Genetics in Medicine, published monthly, is the official ACMG peer-reviewed journal. ACMG's website (www.acmg.net) offers a variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines, Educational Resources, and a Medical Geneticist Locator. The educational and public health programs of the American College of Medical Genetics are dependent upon charitable gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals. The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (www.acmgfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding the College's diverse efforts to translate genes into health. The Foundation is dedicated to Better Health Through Genetics™.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Michael S. Watson, Ph.D., FACMG

http://www.profnetconnect.com/michael_s._watson_ph.d._facmg

ACMG Media Contact: Kathy Ridgely Beal, 301-238-4582

SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics