APHMG Meeting on Kiawah Island

The Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics (APHMG) held its annual meeting on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, May 4-6, 2011, with a excellent attendance and a diverse group of participants. The meeting focused on the further development of Special Interest Groups, with the first day being devoted to a program for Residency Program Directors. Issues discussed included in-service exams and the residency matching program, as well as reports from the Residency Review Committee (RRC) and American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG). Breakout sessions focused on evaluations, combined residency programs, and shared educational resources. Dr. Victor Hirth, Medical Director of Geriatric Services, Palmetto Health Richland, gave very interesting insights to the challenges that the geriatric residency programs have faced in resident recruitment that are similar to those facing medical genetics. Major messages on how to improve recruitment included grabbing the attention of the students early in their training so they are aware of the specialty, and then providing avenues for exploration of their interest. Dr. Hirth was generous with other recruitment approaches, and open about the questions and challenges remaining.

In the plenary session of the full APHMG Meeting, Dr. Georgia Wiesner from Case Western shared information about the results of the survey sent to APHMG members regarding how medical genetics educational and clinical responsibilities are currently organized in academic medical centers. The scientific program featured Dr. Clare Fraser-Liggett speaking about the human gut microbiome in health and disease. The last day focused on effective teaching, with Dr. Geoff Norman presenting important insights into the teaching of basic sciences to medical trainees. That session was followed by presentations of model programs by Dr. Lisa Schimmenti and Dr. Jennifer MacKenzie.

The APHMG meeting included both significant presentations, and provided ample opportunity for extremely useful discussion and sharing of programs and models that are working in a variety of universities. At this very interactive meeting, problems, and challenges may be addressed directly, as well as joint exploration and discussion of possible solutions. All are encouraged to visit the APHMG Web site and the information available at www.aphmg.org.

Read message from the 2011 President

Dear APHMG Colleagues:

On behalf of the APHMG Council, I invite you to join us for the 17th Annual APHMG Workshop at Kiawah Island, South Carolina from Wednesday evening, May 4, 2011 through Friday, May 6, 2011. Like previous years, we are looking forward to a stimulating and productive meeting.

The annual workshop provides a forum for informative and stimulating discussion through which we share experiences and learn from each other in a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time for networking and socializing. The Council has organized a stimulating program. We are finalizing a scientific session focusing on exome sequencing and clinical applications. Other sessions will deal with innovative teaching approaches, one dealing with metrics and measurement s that can be used in training and the other on novel technology innovations for education. The final titles and speakers for these stimulating sessions will be posted on the APHMG website within the next two weeks.

In addition, there will be time set aside for sessions of our affiliated special interest groups. The Medical Genetics Residency Program Directors Group will meet Wednesday, May 4, from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Separate (non-overlapping) time has been set aside for the Medical School Course Directors, Laboratory Training Program Directors and the Graduate School Program Directors to meet during the two day meeting.

On Thursday afternoon, two group activities will be offered. One is a bus trip to Charleston, South Carolina, including a short walking tour and plenty of time for independent exploration of this beautiful, historic, city. The second is a biking/nature/team “competition” (in the loosest sense of the word) at Kiawah Island. Details are posted on the website. It is for all levels and ages, entails a short bike ride, a team building competition that is being tailored just for our group, introduction to the flora and fauna of Kiawah Island, and just plain fun. We realize that the second adventure is a bit pricey; but it will definitely prove to be a special adventure and we hope many of you will sign up.

I am looking forward to a stimulating, enjoyable and productive meeting, and I hope you are able to join us in this ideal setting! Please register online at www.APHMG.org soon.

Sincerely,

Miriam G. Blitzer, PhD
President, APHMG
Mblitzer@peds.umaryland.edu

If you would like to be added to the APHMG mailing list or are interested in sponsorship, please email aphmgmeetings@ashg.org.
 

Thank You to our 2011 Sponsor

About the Association

The Association of Professors was incorporated in 1995 to promote human and medical genetics educational programs in North American medical and graduate schools. More than ninety institutions are now official members of the Association.

The Association holds an annual 2-3 day workshop that deals with medical genetics educational issues. The Association is involved in a variety of other academic activities throughout the year.