image: The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of supporters and contributors who understand the importance of medical genetics and genomics and genetic counseling in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics' mission to "translate genes into health" by raising funds to promote the profession of medical genetics and genomics to medical students, to fund the training of future medical geneticists, to support best-practices and tools for practicing physicians and laboratory directors, to promote awareness and understanding of our work in the general public, and much more. view more
Credit: ACMG Foundation
Prasit Phowthongkum, MD of University of Washington is the recipient of the 2016 Horizon Pharma/ ACMG Foundation Award. This award is presented by the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine.
The objective of this fellowship is to advance education, research, and standards of practice in medical genetics; expand laboratory expertise in medical genetics in the United States, and develop a broad-based infrastructure for industry funding of high quality projects in medical genetics.
This award grants $40,000 per year to the recipient selected by the ACMG Foundation through a competitive process and will provide for the sponsorship of one year of the trainee's fellowship training. Trainee activities of the Awardees will focus on acquisition of broad knowledge in human and medical genetics.
Dr. Phowthongkum received his MD from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand and is currently completing his genetics fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle. Prior to his fellowship he was at the Albert Einstein Medical Center completing his Residency in Internal Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Phowthongkum states, "I am honored to receive the Horizon Pharma/ACMG Foundation residency training in Clinical Genetics Award. I am grateful for the excellent clinical and research training environment in the medical genetics residency program at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital. This award will allow me to accomplish my goal of becoming an academic medical geneticist in order to serve patients and families, and also to conduct translational research in neurogenetics."
"There is an acute need for more physicians specifically trained in the diagnosis, management and treatment of individuals with genetic disorders. The Horizon Pharma /ACMG Foundation Residency Training Award in Clinical Genetics Award provides an important opportunity to increase the number of medical geneticists with interest, knowledge and expertise in the field and is therefore a key component in the ACMG Foundation's commitment to increasing the genetics workforce," said Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD, FACMG, president of the ACMG Foundation.
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To learn more about the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine visit http://www.acmgfoundation.org
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of supporters and contributors who understand the importance of medical genetics and genomics and genetic counseling in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics' mission to "translate genes into health" by raising funds to promote the profession of medical genetics and genomics to medical students, to fund the training of future medical geneticists, to support best-practices and tools for practicing physicians and laboratory directors, to promote awareness and understanding of our work in the general public, and much more.