The UCSF Genetic Counseling Program provides a unique and exciting opportunity for one student, with a strong passion for community practice, to spend their entire second year of training in the Fresno region. UCSF extends it's training reach to a branch campus as Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Fresno, CA - a major tertiary care center providing complex care to the diverse residents of the central San Joaquin Valley. Students also have access to additional training opportunities at other regional genetics clinics, further broadening their experience. This distinctive setting provides hands-on training to an underserved region where genetics services have a particularly meaningful impact.
All students spend their first academic year of the GC Program (September through mid-June) in residence in San Francisco. Following successful completion of the first year, the Fresno student will transition to the Fresno region. The student in this position will complete their clinical training in the region, attend second year courses via videoconferencing and complete their Capstone research project remotely. The student in this position will also have regular meetings with the Assistant Director at Fresno and videoconference meetings with San Francisco-based advisors and classmates. Clinical training opportunities in the area are listed on the Rotations page. The Fresno student will need to have access to a car as public transportation in the area is not sufficient to adequately access all rotation sites.
Fresno is the fifth largest city in California and is located in the heart of the rural San Joaquin Valley agricultural region. Nestled half-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Fresno is a vibrant hub, offering a distinctive blend of rural healthcare and cutting-edge medical practice.
Travel time between San Francisco and Fresno is approximately 3 hours, either via car or train. Train transportation is provided by Amtrak, and Emeryville is the closest station to San Francisco. Emeryville's Emery Go-Round shuttle offers transportation between the Amtrak station and the MacAruther BART station (see the Emery Go-Round website for schedules and other information).
Students requiring an F-1 Visa to enroll in the Genetic Counseling Program are not eligible for the Fresno position due to the distance from the main San Francisco campus.
Curriculum FAQ
How is it determined which student will train in Fresno?
Applicants will apply for the Fresno position when submitting their rank listing through NMS and will match to the position. Accepted students that did not apply for the Fresno position, but are interested in training in the region, may discuss this option with the Program Director to determine if there are additional opportunities. Students interested in the Fresno position should indicate this on the GC Program application.
How will the Fresno student attend second year classes?
The Fresno student will attend classes via videoconferencing. UCSF offers students free access to the University’s institutional Zoom account. The Fresno student is expected to fulfill all course requirements and has the same expectations as the San Francisco-based students.
Will the Fresno student spend time in San Francisco?
Yes. The Fresno student will spend the entire first year in San Francisco. Clinical training in Fresno will begin either in the summer between the first and second year or fall quarter of the second year. Starting in the summer or fall will be determined by training sites and student.
Will the Fresno student need to travel to San Francisco?
The Fresno student may occasionally need to return to San Francisco during the second year, but trips will be kept to a minimum. The GC Program is not able to cover the costs of such trips. Cost of living expenses in the Fresno region are lower than the San Francisco area and are likely to result in overall savings. Travel between Fresno and San Francisco takes approximately 3 hours, either by car or Amtrak.
The Assistant Director, Fresno manages the Fresno experience and can provide the Fresno student with local assistance. Additionally, the Program Director and/or Assistant Director will also travel to the region approximately every six months and will also available to meet in-person with the Fresno student.
Will the Fresno student receive housing?
No. Similar to the San Francisco based cohort, each student is responsible for finding their own housing. In general, the cost of living in Fresno is less than San Francisco.