Biography
Debra G. B. Leonard, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine and the University of Vermont Health Network. Dr. Leonard did her undergraduate education at Smith College and her medical and scientific training at New York University. She has been on the faculty at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Leonard is an expert in molecular pathology and genomic medicine. She has developed a team to implement genome-informed medicine, including cancer, pharmacogenetics and genome population screening, for the University of Vermont Health Network. By summer 2019, a pilot of sequencing 1K patients’ genomes will be initiated with the goal of genome testing for half the patient population in the region.
Population sequencing of healthy individuals has huge value for preventive care. Recently, we have seen a rise in newly launched initiatives across various medical organizations. In this session we will hear updates from several of these studies to learn about their objectives, protocols, challenges, and more.