New Board Members Join American College of Medical Genetics Foundation: Distinguished Medical, Scientific and Business Leaders Bring Additional Expertise to the ACMG Foundation Board

BETHESDA, Md., April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (ACMG Foundation) recently announced that six new directors will be joining the Board.  The Board of Directors are active participants in serving as advocates for the Foundation and for advancing the policies and programs of the ACMG Foundation.

The newly-announced ACMG Foundation directors are:

Thomas Erickson, CFA, Co-founder and Partner, BlueStream Ventures.  Mr. Erickson has worked with venture-backed technology startups for the past twenty years.  Prior to founding BlueStream, he was one of Wall Street's leading voices in network technology research. Mr. Erickson has an MBA in strategy, finance and accounting from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. His Board term is from 2011-2016.

Gail E. Herman, MD, PhD, FACMG is an ex-officio director by virtue of being the new President-Elect of the ACMG. Dr. Herman is a board certified clinical and biochemical geneticist and a Principal Investigator, Center for Molecular & Human Genetics, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Her Board term is from 2011 to 2017.

Rick Martin, MD, FACMG, Medical Director of Shire Human Genetic Therapies of Cambridge, MA. Dr. Martin is a Clinical Geneticist with expertise in the diagnosis and management of adults and children with birth defects and genetic disease. His Board term is from 2010-2015.

Lisa G. Shaffer, PhD, FACMG, President of PerkinElmer's Signature Genomics. Dr. Shaffer is Board Certified in Clinical Cytogenetics and conducted postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine.  Dr. Shaffer was named a Top Female CEO by Inc. Magazine for her work at Signature Genomics. Signature was the first laboratory to provide microarray-based diagnostic testing of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Dr. Shaffer's Board term is from 2009-2014.

Brian E. Ward, PhD, FACMG, COO of On-Q-ity Inc. in Waltham, MA.  Dr. Ward brings expertise in biotechnology management and operations and is board certified in Molecular and Cytogenetics.  He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and 100 technical abstracts. Dr. Ward's Board term is 2010-2015.

Judy Yu, PhD, Associate Director, Scientific Affairs, Global Marketing of Abbott Molecular in Des Plaines, IL.  Dr. Yu brings both extensive business and scientific experience including a strong background in molecular diagnostics, including product research and development, the design and execution of scientific and clinical studies as well as product marketing expertise.  Dr. Yu's Board term is 2011-2016.

"These experienced leaders bring additional talent to the ACMG Foundation and will help further the important work of the Foundation to ensure that genetic discoveries are translated into better health for all," said R. Rodney Howell, MD, FACMG, president of the ACMG Foundation. "The work of the Foundation is critical to making sure that genetic research can be applied to improved medical care. We are indebted to both our existing and new leaders for their longstanding dedication to medical genetics and to the public's health. Each board member brings important new perspectives and experience and I look forward to working with them to realize the Foundation's goals."

A complete list of the 16 ACMG Foundation Board of Directors is available at www.acmgfoundation.org.

About the American College of Medical Genetics and ACMG Foundation

Celebrating its 20th year, the American College of Medical Genetics (www.acmg.net) was founded in 1991 and advances the practice of medical genetics by providing education, resources and a voice for more than 1400 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics. ACMG's activities include the development of laboratory and practice standards and guidelines, advocating for quality genetic services in healthcare and in public health, and promoting the development of methods to diagnose, treat and prevent genetic disease. Genetics in Medicine, published monthly, is the official ACMG peer-reviewed journal. ACMG's website (www.acmg.net) offers a variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines, Educational Resources, and a Find a Geneticist tool. The educational and public health programs of the American College of Medical Genetics are dependent upon charitable gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals. The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (www.acmgfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting ACMG's diverse efforts to translate genes into health. The ACMG Foundation is dedicated to Better Health Through Genetics™.

SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics Foundation