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Weill Cornell Medical College Professor to receive award at ASHG’s 63rd annual meeting
BETHESDA, MD. – July 23, 2013 — The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) has named Jessica G. Davis, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College and Associate Attending Pediatrician at both New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, as the 2013 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Human Genetics Education.
The ASHG award recognizes an individual for contributions of exceptional quality and great importance to human genetics internationally. Awardees have had long-standing involvement in genetics education, contributions in more than one area, and contributions of substantive influence on individuals and/or organizations. Dr. Davis will receive her award on Friday, October 25, during the ASHG 2013 annual meeting in Boston and will present her award address immediately thereafter.
“Long before ASHG officially acknowledged the high value of education, Dr. Davis’ name was synonymous with education in medical and human genetics,” said Roberta A. Pagon, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, who helped to nominate Dr. Davis for the award.
“Her passion for disseminating information about human genetics and the role of medical genetics in patient care is evident in her many accomplishments, which include the development of the Sarah Lawrence genetic counseling training program and, hence, the indispensable field of genetic counseling training; directing outreach programs in NY State-Long Island for community-based clinicians; and teaching genetics to high school teachers at the DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories.
Dr. Pagon added, “Dr. Davis’ contributions to education in human genetics reflect the hands-on, just-get-started approach of the days when formal programs and funding for education in genetics were almost non-existent. It was enterprising, dedicated, and caring educators like Dr. Davis who laid the foundation for the educational efforts that we take for granted today.”
Weill Cornell Medical College recognized Dr. Davis with its annual Award for Teaching Excellence in 2000.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN GENETICS
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. The nearly 8,000 members of ASHG include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses and others involved in or with a special interest in human genetics. The Societyʼs mission is to serve research scientists, health professionals and the public by providing forums to: (1) share research results through the Societyʼs Annual Meeting and in The American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG); (2) advance genetic research by advocating for research support; (3) educate current and future genetics professionals, health care providers, advocates, policymakers, educators, students and the public about all aspects of human genetics; and (4) promote genetic services and support responsible social and scientific policies. For more information about ASHG, visit: http://www.ashg.org.