Joann A. Boughman, PhD: Executive Vice President, ASHG

The capability of listening carefully, summarizing volumes of material and then providing brief summaries is essential for communicating with the media as an expert in human genetics. - Joann A. Boughman, PhD

Executive Vice President, American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
ASHG Administrative Office
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814-3998
Phone: 301-634-7307
E-mail: jboughman@ashg.org
 

Major Areas of Expertise

General genetics research and education; science policy and advocacy issues (e.g., patient privacy laws, federal regulation issues, etc.)

• Policy issues associated with human genetics research:

  • Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act legislation

  • IRB and HIPAA (patient privacy policies and standards of care) issues associated with human genetics research

• Direct to consumer genetic testing issues, pros and cons related to:

  • The healthcare benefits and risks

  • Federal regulation issues

  • Establishing ethical and fair standards to protect consumers

Role as an Expert Speaker for ASHG:

Dr. Boughman has many years of experience participating in media interviews, where she has developed the ability to discuss difficult scientific issues and translate complex genetics information into lay language for the press and general public.
 

Role as the Executive VP of ASHG:

Dr. Boughman describes the primary objectives that she strives to achieve as Executive Vice President of the Society: “Increase the knowledge base and improving skills in human genetics is a primary goal that the ASHG staff and members are constantly working to achieve. We also participate in and support advocacy efforts to ensure that human genetics is appropriately represented in legislation and policy, and that the health care and education systems include genetics as a key element in clinical practice and in education programs across the U.S.”

Dr. Boughman is responsible for the activities of several of the ASHG committees, as well as the Society’s political advocacy initiatives to support human genetics legislation. Keeping in the current event loop in Washington also means attending many briefings and meetings of federal agencies, as well as many conference calls with members of various coalitions or federations of which ASHG is a member. Policy issues sometimes move very slowly, but certain actions require intensive action and commitment, such as advocacy efforts to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination legislation. Although meetings on Capitol Hill with government officials are often intense, Dr. Boughman describes that “each [meeting] reminds me that scientists MUST be represented in the policy process, or the community will be displeased with the result. The democratic process demands involvement.”
 

Biography:

Dr. Boughman is one of the chief executive officers of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), the primary professional organization (~8,000 members) of researchers, physicians, laboratory scientists and genetic counselors in North America, who are actively engaged in discovery, teaching and health care applications in human genetics.

She is a Board certified Medical Geneticist, elected to the Board of Directors and then Secretary and Vice President of the American Board of Medical Genetics, and a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics. Dr. Boughman served on the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing (SACGT), chairing the Education Workgroup for that Committee. She chairs the Molecular and Clinical Genetic Devices Panel of the FDA, and is a Commissioner of Higher Education for the State of Maryland.

Boughman has performed research in population genetics and epidemiology of blindness and hearing impairments, congenital heart malformations, periodontal disease, and is the author of many publications. She has presented at many national and international scientific meetings, and has been a faculty participant in judicial workshops sponsored by the Einstein Institute for Science, Health and the Courts.

Dr. Boughman received her Bachelor’s and Ph.D degrees from Indiana University. After receiving her Ph.D. in Medical Genetics, Dr. Boughman was a member of the faculty at the Medical College of Virginia. She then accepted a position at the University of Maryland, Baltimore where she was first an Associate Professor and then Full Professor in the School of Medicine, and a Research Professor of Periodontics in the Dental School. She remains an Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pediatrics at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine.

Dr. Boughman later became an academic administrator for the school, serving as Vice President for Research and Development and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In her positions as an academic administrator, Dr. Boughman gained scientific and managerial experience; she learned about the details and implications of science policy, had the opportunity to work with the state legislature, and developed the ability to deal with diverse interests, demands and needs of many scientists (faculty) and students at the same time.

Dr. Boughman believes that her education, training and background in science have enabled her to acquire “the ability to use basic skills and abilities, such as communication and observation, in a variety of settings,” which she describes as “critical” skills for success in her current position at ASHG. In her own words, Dr. Boughman claims that, “Having the breadth of both research and clinical skills, as well as administrative experience has been very useful in my professional experience.”