In recognition of the challenges faced by genomic trainees and genetic counseling students to get the training they need during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) are collaborating to provide complimentary access to educational programming for clinical genetics residents, laboratory genetics fellows, and genetic counseling students.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic challenges each of us to adapt, ACMG looks forward to providing high-quality educational materials at no charge to trainees and genetic counseling students,” said Anthony R. Gregg, M.D., president of ACMG in a press release. “At ACMG we value education. It is a core member service. If you are a trainee whose education is threatened by COVID-19, we will help you beat that threat.”

According to the two organizations, individuals that can attest they are current trainees in an ACGC-, ACGME- or ABMGG-accredited training program, will be able to access educational content free of charge online at the ACMG Genetics Academy at www.acmgeducation.net.

“Optimal patient care begins with optimal education of trainees in medical genetics and genomics in training programs across the country,” said Max Muenke, M.D., FACMG, ACMG CEO noted. “At a time of COVID-19 where most trainees are working from home, we are happy to offer—free of charge—a number of online courses and lectures to genetic counseling graduate students, residents in clinical genetics and genomics, and fellows in all laboratory specialties of genetics and genomics.”

ACMG’s “Curated Collection of Educational Resources for Genetics and Genomics Residents, Trainees and Genetic Counseling Students” will include:

10 Genomic Case Conferences such as Telegenetics Consults and Resources at Your Fingertips, Spectrum of Positive Findings Encountered During Expanded Carrier Screening, and Nuances of Mitochondrial Testing

Six Short Courses, include:

• Variant Interpretation from the Clinician Perspective
• Bringing Personalized Genomic Medicine to Prenatal Care
• Authorization for Genetic Testing: A Primer for Genetics Professionals
• Somatic Mutation Testing in Cancer: Implications for the Oncologist and Geneticist

11 Scientific Sessions from the 2018 and 2019 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meetings will also be offered:

• March of Dimes Clinical Genetics Conferences
• Cardinal Signs of Selected Genetic Conditions
• Laboratory Diagnostic Challenges (Constitutional and Neoplastic Cases in Molecular, Cytogenomic, and Biochemical Genetics Specialties)
• Prenatal Diagnostic Challenges
• Hot Topics: Genome Editing: Genetic Therapy for Genetic Diseases – Promises and Challenges; and Emerging Fetal Stem Cell and Molecular Therapies
• Complexities in Cancer Risk Assessment and Management

Trainees who complete coursework through the ACMG Genetics Academy will obtain a certificate of completion. ACMG and ABMGG both commit to providing these free educational resources until September 1, 2020.