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Willa Thorson

Willa Thorson, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical and Translational Genetics, Clinical and Translational Genetics

Biography: Dr. Willa Thorson is a board-certified Clinical Geneticist. She is also board-certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. Dr. Thorson was born and raised in California. She attended Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. At Creighton, she met her future husband, and they pursued residency together at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital...
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Thank you for your interest in our training program. I look forward to showing you what makes our program unique, and what makes us so proud of the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Medical Genetics and Genomics Residency.

Our medical genetics residency program focuses on teaching through didactics, formal discussions, and clinical encounters under the guidance of board-certified faculty mentors, board-certified genetic counselors, and clinical and basic science researchers. The program involves the evaluation of patients seen and treated in clinic and/or consults, presentation of clinical cases, coursework, conferences, and readings that cover a broad spectrum of medical genetics information and terminology.

Exposure to cancer genetics, cardiogenetics, connective tissue disorders, dermatogenetic disorders, dysmorphology, genetic disorders of the eye, hearing loss genetics, inborn errors of metabolism, neurogenetics, newborn screening, and prenatal diagnosis, as well as laboratory rotations in the biochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular laboratories are important components of the learning that residents will experience. Residents are expected to participate in the education of other residents and medical students, and to develop more autonomy in patient and lab diagnosis and management to enter the field without supervision.

Our residents work in concert with a robust team of professionals, including, but not limited to, board-certified geneticists, board-certified genetic counselors, administrative personnel, clinical and support staff, nurses, nurse practitioners, and dieticians, as well as rotating residents from other departments.

In addition to providing a top-notch program, Miami — known for its natural beauty and abundance of multicultural experiences — is the perfect place to live and work. I invite you to come and see this wonderful program and city for yourself and understand why patients, faculty, and students from across the country and world are drawn to Miami and the UM/Jackson Health System.

-Willa Thorson, MD.


How to Apply

Please apply through the NRMP, July through October.

About the Program

The medical genetics residency program focuses on teaching through clinical encounters with guidance from board certified faculty and researchers. Residents gain exposure to a broad spectrum of human Mendelian and non Mendelian diseases and gain extensive experience in the clinical assessment of pediatric and adult patients. Other professionals who interact with residents during the training include board certified genetic counselors, registered nutritionists and other health care personnel.

The program involves evaluation of patients, presentation of clinical cases, coursework, presenting at conferences, and assigned readings that cover a broad spectrum of medical genetics information and terminology. Exposure to dysmorphology and teratology, prenatal diagnosis and newborn screening, inborn errors of metabolism, cancer genetics, neurogenetics, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, dermatologic and neurologic disorders and laboratory rotations in genetics biochemical, molecular and cytogenetic laboratories are important components of the training as well as participation in class lectures, post clinic presentations, seminars, Journal Club and presentations at national meetings.

Research

The research component is conducted in the second year under the mentorship of a board certified faculty member. All residents present their research findings to faculty, staff and other residents and seek to publish their findings. Cutting edge technology and genomic research conducted at the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics provides exciting opportunities for academically oriented physicians as well as traditional medical clinicians. Residents interested in pursuing further basic sciences research training may spend additional years in a mentored research environment depending on the availability of funding by the individual faculty mentoring the research training.

For further information or inquiries please contact:

Chwanda Frazier
Email: c.frazier@med.miami.edu
Office: 305-243-6056