Medical Residency in Genetics

History of the Medical Residency Program in Medical Genetics at the Federal University of São Paulo / Paulista School of Medicine

The Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) is recognized as one of the most prestigious public universities in Brazil, with national and international recognition for excellence in education, research, and outreach. Founded in 1994 through the consolidation of renowned institutions such as the Paulista School of Medicine (EPM), UNIFESP has established itself as a leading center of knowledge, training highly qualified professionals across multiple fields. The Paulista School of Medicine, founded in 1933, is one of the most respected medical schools in the country and is closely associated with Hospital São Paulo (HSP), its main teaching hospital, along with its network of outpatient clinics and specialized services. Founded in 1940, HSP is recognized as the first teaching hospital in Brazil specifically built for this purpose.

In this context, the Medical Residency Program in Medical Genetics at UNIFESP was established by Decio Brunoni, MD, PhD. It received provisional accreditation from the National Commission for Medical Residency in 2003, becoming part of the Medical Residency Commission (COREME) of the Paulista School of Medicine, and obtained full accreditation in 2007. The program offers two positions annually for medical residents, funded by the Ministry of Health.

Organizationally, the Residency Program is part of the Genetics Division, which is within the Department of Morphology and Genetics at EPM/UNIFESP. Program activities are primarily carried out in two main outpatient units: the Dr. Decio Brunoni Medical Genetics Center and the Reference Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Additional training takes place across multiple units of the Hospital São Paulo complex, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and various specialty outpatient clinics in which genetics plays a significant role, such as human reproduction, fetal medicine, ophthalmic genetics, neurology, pediatric neurology, pediatric endocrinology, and immunology. Residents also complete rotations at external institutions, including AC Camargo Hospital, AACD, and diagnostic laboratories such as DASA and DLE.

The program emphasizes strong clinical training, preparing residents to work across all areas of medical genetics. Residents are also trained in genomic test interpretation and are encouraged to engage in research activities. Over its 20-year history, the program has trained more than 30 specialists who are now active in various areas of genetics across Brazil and internationally.

• Information provided by: Decio Brunoni, MD, PhD; Rodrigo Ambrosio Fock, PhD; Débora Gusmão Melo, MD, PhD

• Program supervision: Débora Gusmão Melo, MD, PhD; Eduardo Perrone, MD, PhD

• Attending physicians and collaborators: Ana Maria Martins, MD, PhD; Ana Luiza Pilla Luce, MD; Cecília Micheletti, MD; Fernanda Teresa de Lima, MD; Giovanna Napolitano Pereira Ribeiro, MD; Marco Curiati, MD; Rodrigo Ambrosio Fock, PhD; Simone Brasil de Oliveira Iglesias, MD, PhD

• City: São Paulo

• State: SP

• Year established: 2004

• Number of positions per year: 2

• Number of graduates: more than 30 (as of 2025)

• COREME website: https://coreme.unifesp.br/