University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers will participate in a free precision medicine conference, “Caring for All Arizonans with Precision Medicine,” Friday, April 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road.
Sponsored by the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre, a part of the Arizona Department of Health Services, the conference aims to help the public, researchers and physicians better understand the growing potential of genetics research, testing and its implications for health care decision-making.
Each day, genetic researchers learn more about the underlying molecular causes of disease, but it can take years for biomedical research information to trickle down to doctors and patients. At the same time, genomics testing increasingly is accessible and affordable, providing genetic information on potential health risks or confirming medical diagnosis and helping to assess treatment options.
During the conference, presenters will address how primary care doctors effectively can counsel patients using genomics data to make informed decisions about their health. Attendees will learn how new technologies and health-care approaches are raising important cultural, legal and ethical questions and how to access these advancements in Arizona. In addition, researchers will learn their role to help navigate the bridge between molecular research and clinical care.
Registration is required. Please register via this link, http://bit.ly/sabrs0413, or by calling 520-621-0598. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Francisco Moreno, MD; Kenneth S. Ramos, MD, PhD, PharmB; and Valerie Schaibley, PhD, from the University of Arizona Health Sciences will share their expertise on precision medicine during the conference.
Dr. Ramos is associate vice president for precision health sciences and is responsible for developing precision-health strategies and approaches to health outcomes and health-care delivery. He also is a professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and director of the Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine at the UA Health Sciences and the MD-PhD Program at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson.
Dr. Moreno is a professor of psychiatry and associate vice president for diversity and inclusion for the UA Health Sciences. He also is senior investigator and engagement lead for the All of Us Research Program at the UA Health Sciences and Banner Health.
Dr. Schaibley is the administrator for the Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine at the UA Health Sciences, providing scientific leadership to advance precision medicine in the health sciences.
Presenting from the National Human Genome Research Institute, where he leads the Health Disparities Genomics Unit, Vence Bonham, Jr., JD, is an associate investigator in the National Human Genome Research Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health. He leads the Health Disparities Genomics Unit, which conducts research that evaluates approaches to integrate new genomic knowledge and precision medicine into clinical settings without worsening inequities in health-care delivery.
Elizabeth Tuck, MA, is the Genetics and Education Fellow from the National Human Genome Research Institute. The fellowship is co-sponsored by the American Society of Human Genetics and the National Human Genome Research Institute.
John Molina, MD, JD, LHD, is the corporate compliance officer for Native Health, an urban American Indian health center in Phoenix.
The agenda is as follows:
9 - 10 a.m. - Welcome and Keynote Address
“Precision Medicine and Just Patient Care,” Vence Bonham Jr., JD
10 a.m. - noon - Breakout Sessions
“Introduction to Genetics Research, Testing and Implications for Your Health,” Beth Tuck, MA
“A Review of Genomic Medicine Case Studies,” Dr. Kenneth Ramos
Noon -1 Lunch
1 - 2 p.m. - Breakout Sessions II
“Social and Cultural Issues in Precision Medicine,” Dr. Francisco Moreno and Dr. John Molina
“Applying Precision Medicine in the Primary Care Setting,” Dr. Valerie Schaibley
2 - 3 p.m. – “Precision Medicine in the Coming Years” - Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks, Dr. Kenneth Ramos
The conference is part of the Southern Arizona Biomedical Research Symposia, which are designed to bring together national and local experts to disseminate biomedical research and industry best practices to enhance regulatory expertise among Arizona's biomedical and clinical research community. The conference is presented by the UA Health Sciences, the UA Office of Research Discovery and Innovation, the National Human Genome Research Institute, Native Health and the Mariposa Community Health Center.
About the University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. The UA Health Sciences includes the UA Colleges of Medicine (Phoenix and Tucson), Nursing, Pharmacy and Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the growing Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, the UA Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona and the greater Southwest to provide cutting-edge health education, research, patient care and community outreach services. A major economic engine, the UA Health Sciences employs approximately 4,000 people, has approximately 800 faculty members and garners more than $140 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn)