Greenwood Genetic Center’s Dr. Robert Saul to Head AAP Initiative
August 16, 2011
GREENWOOD, SC – August 16, 2011 – Robert Saul, MD, Senior Clinical Geneticist at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC), will serve as co-medical director of a Genetics in Primary Care Institute grant awarded to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The three year award is provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
The vision of the Genetics In Primary Care Institute initiative is to enhance the delivery of genetic-based services in the primary care setting. Project goals will include working with primary care physicians to increase their understanding of basic genetics principles, collecting and interpreting family history information, emerging genetic testing methodologies, and navigating genetics-related ethical issues. This initiative will also address policies to advance the provision of genetic medicine and incorporate genetic medicine more effectively into residency training programs.
“This project is of critical importance as we bring the advances in medical genetics to the bedside,” said Saul. “Primary care physicians and their patients will benefit from the tools that will be developed by this project.”
Saul is currently chairperson of the AAP’s Committee on Genetics and serves on the board of directors for the American College of Medical Genetics. The co-director for the Genetics in Primary Care Institute project is Beth Tarini, MD from the University of Michigan. “Dr. Tarini and I will work with a team of experts over three years to develop methods to increase primary care providers’ knowledge and skills in providing genetic-based services,” stated Saul. “It will be exciting to have the opportunity to be a part of such an important initiative in partnership with the AAP.”
About Greenwood Genetic Center
The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC), founded in 1974, is a nonprofit organization advancing the field of medical genetics and caring for families impacted by genetic disease and birth defects. At its home campus in Greenwood, South Carolina, a talented team of physicians and scientists provides clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing, educational programs and resources, and research in the field of medical genetics. GGC’s faculty and staff are committed to the goal of developing preventive and curative therapies for the individuals and families they serve. GGC extends its reach as a resource to all residents of South Carolina with satellite offices in Charleston, Columbia, Florence and Greenville. For more information about GGC please visit www.ggc.org.
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
