At its 2007 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Nashville, TN the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) officially named Joe Leigh Simpson, MD, Florida International University College of Medicine, President of ACMG and announced the election of Bruce Korf, MD, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, as President-elect of the College. Three new clinical directors elected to the Board include: Rick Martin, MS, MD, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Robert Saul, MD, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina; and Marc S. Williams, MD, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah. Piero Rinaldo, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota was elected as a Biochemical Genetics Director and Sue Richards, PhD, Oregon Health and Science Center, Portland, Oregon was elected as a Molecular Genetics Director.

“I am honored and most appreciative of the opportunity to take the helm of ACMG at a time when using our knowledge of human genes is enabling us to better predict, treat and even prevent a broad range of health problems, "said ACMG President Simpson. Dr. Simpson, a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, obtained his medical degree at Duke University and completed post-graduate work at several institutions including Cornell University. He has published more than 650 original articles, chapters and publications. Dr. Simpson will hold the office of president for a term of two years. All newly elected directors will serve from March 2007 – March 2013.

“We are excited to add these exemplary individuals to our Board,” said Michael S. Watson, PhD, ACMG Executive Director.

Members continuing on the board of directors are: Marilyn C. Jones, MD, Children’s Hospital UCSD, San Diego, CA; James P. Evans, MD, PhD, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Gerald Feldman, MD, PhD, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit, MI; Louanne Hudgins, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Susan P. Pauker, MD, Harvard Vanguard Medical Association, Boston, MA; Thomas W. Prior, PhD, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; Lisa G. Shaffer, PhD, Washington State University, Spokane, WA; Elaine B. Spector, PhD, Univ. of Colorado Health & Sciences Center, Aurora, CO and Daynna J. Wolff, PhD, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

Directors Retiring from the Board in 2007 will be Charles J. Epstein, MD, University of California, San Francisco, CA; Jonathan Zonana, MD, Oregon Health Science Services University, Portland, OR; Wayne W. GGrody, MD, PhD, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; Gail E. Herman, MD, PhD, Children’s Research Institute, Columbus, OH; Deborah A. Driscoll, MD, Hospital Univ. of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA; and Beth A. Pletcher, MD, Doctors Office Center, Newark, NJ.

Founded in 1991, the American College of Medical Genetics (www.acmg.net) advances the practice of medical genetics by providing education, resources and a voice for genetics professionals.

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