Speaker Profile
M.D., Ph.D., Chair and Professor, University of Vermont Health Network
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.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley
Session Synopsis: A growing number of hospitals are offering predictive medicine by screening entire populations or specific subgroups for genetic information in order to target interventions for common disorders such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Such screening can help identify groups at risk so that primary- or secondary-prevention efforts can be initiated.
