News Release

Katherine M. Dempsey M.S. C.G.C., receives the 2016 Richard King Trainee Award

Katherine M. Dempsey M.S. C.G.C., receives the 2016 Richard King Trainee Award for Best Publication in Genetics in Medicine: First genetic counseling student to win King Award

Grant and Award Announcement

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics

ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Logo

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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 in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics; mission to "translate genes into health" by raising funds to attract the next generation of medical geneticists and genetic counselors, to sponsor important research, to promote information about medical genetics, and much more. To learn more about the important mission and projects of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine and how you too can support this great cause, please visit http://www.acmgfoundation.org or contact us at acmgf@acmgfoundation.org or 301-718-2014. view more 

Credit: ACMG Foundation

Katherine Dempsey, MS CGC of the Cancer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital is the recipient of the 2016 Richard King Trainee Award. This award was instituted by the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine to encourage ABMGG, international equivalents or genetic counseling trainees in their careers and to foster the publication of the highest quality research in ACMG's peer-reviewed journal, Genetics in Medicine (GIM).

Each year the editorial board reviews all articles published in GIM by an ABMGG or genetic counseling trainee who was either a first or corresponding author during that year. The manuscript considered to have the most merit is selected by the editorial board and a cash prize, along with meeting expenses, is awarded at the 2016 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Tampa, FL.

Ms. Dempsey was given the award for her manuscript titled, "Is it all Lynch Syndrome? An assessment of family history in individuals with mismatch repair deficient tumors," which was published in the June, 2015 issue of Genetics in Medicine. Ms. Dempsey carried out the research as part of her thesis work at the University of Texas at Houston Genetic Counseling Program and is the first Genetic Counseling student to win this annual award.

James Evans, MD, PhD and Editor-in-Chief of GIM stated, "The genetics of colon cancer are complex and defining the nature of any individual's possible hereditary predisposition to such cancer is critical for their proper care and that of their family. In the award-winning article by Ms. Dempsey, her group explores the inherent heterogeneity in families with apparent predisposition to colon cancer. Such work will help illuminate the underlying genetics of hereditary colon cancer and will assist in the management of families."

The award is given by the ACMG Foundation and is named for Dr. Richard King in recognition of his instrumental role in creating Genetics in Medicine and serving as the first and founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal.

Eligible trainees include those in the following programs: Clinical Biochemical Genetics; Clinical Cytogenetics; Clinical Molecular Genetics Combined Internal Medicine/Genetics; Combined Pediatrics/Genetics; PhD Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling.

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About the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

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 in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics; mission to "translate genes into health" by raising funds to attract the next generation of medical geneticists and genetic counselors, to sponsor important research, to promote information about medical genetics, and much more. To learn more about the important mission and projects of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine and how you too can support this great cause, please visit http://www.acmgfoundation.org or contact us at acmgf@acmgfoundation.org or 301-718-2014.


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