Anna-Kaisa Niemi, MD, Ph.D., a resident in Medical Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics at the Stanford University Medical Center, in Stanford Calif., was honored as the 2011-2012 recipient of the Genzyme/American College of Medical Genetics Foundation Clinical Genetics Fellowship in Biochemical Genetics at the ACMG 2011 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
The objective of the Genzyme/ACMG Foundation Award is to support a national fellowship program to encourage the recruitment and training of clinicians in the field of clinical biochemical genetics and especially in the diagnosis, management and treatment of individuals with metabolic diseases.
"I feel very honored to get the award first of all," Niemi said. "It's given to only one person a year so I'm very honored and humbled and I will try my best to honor the award in my work next year."
This award grants $75,000 per year to a recipient selected by the ACMG Foundation through a competitive process and will provide for the sponsorship of a trainee's first year of fellowship following residency in a genetics fellowship on biochemical genetic diseases.
"The Genzyme/ACMG Foundation Clinical Genetics Fellowship in Biochemical Genetics is critical to the development of the genetics workforce and the education of those who work to advance research, and develop new standards of practice in medical genetics in the United States to improve health and save lives," said R. Rodney Howell, MD, FACMG, president of the ACMG Foundation.
Genzyme Corporation is a generous supporter of the American College of Medical Genetics Foundation and a member in good standing of Corporate Partners program. For more information about the Corporate Partners program, go to: www.acmgfoundation.org.
Note to editors: To arrange interviews with experts in medical genetics, contact Kathy Beal, MBA, ACMG Director of Public Relations at kbeal@acmg.net or 301-238-4582.
About the American College of Medical Genetics
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 more than 1400 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics. ACMG's activities include the development of laboratory and practice standards and guidelines, advocating for quality genetic services in healthcare and in public health, and promoting the development of methods to diagnose, treat and prevent genetic disease. Genetics in Medicine, published monthly, is the official ACMG peer-reviewed journal. ACMG's website (www.acmg.net) offers a variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines, Educational Resources, and a Medical Geneticist Locator. The educational and public health programs of the American College of Medical Genetics are dependent upon charitable gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals. The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (www.acmgfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding the College's diverse efforts to translate genes into health. The Foundation is dedicated to Better Health Through Genetics™.
About Genzyme
One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant, and immune disease.