GREENWOOD GENETIC CENTER | 9
study of Phelan-McDermid syndrome. He helped found the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF) nearly 20 years ago and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus.
Columbia and included a low-protein taco bar, crafts, games, and a presentation by Family Connection of SC.
BEST WISHES IN RETIREMENT
Dr. Neena Champaigne, Director of the Metabolic Treatment Program, works on a craft with children at the Metabolic Fiesta.
“To me Judy is the epitome of a great technologist,” said GGC co-founder Hal Taylor, PhD, who hired Judy in 1992. “When her baby, the prenatal screening program, ended fairly recently, she persevered continuing to learn new assays and techniques.”
“Curtis is a tireless champion for our children and a much sought after resource for parents,” said Nick Assendelft, Vice President of the PMSF Board of Directors and Foundation co-founder. “Dr. Rogers is such a compassionate physician, regularly going out of his way to do whatever is needed,” said Allison Bellomo, MS, a genetic counselor in GGC’s Greenville office. “His heart is truly focused on the care of his patients and their families.”
Rogers, left, is presented the Distinguished Alumnus award by Dr. Ray Dubois, Dean of MUSC School of Medicine.
FIESTA!
GGC’s Metabolic Treatment team of physicians, genetic counselors, dietitians, and psychologists organized a ‘Metabolic Fiesta’ to bring together families from across SC who have a metabolic diagnosis. “These children and adults must maintain a low-protein diet in order to stay healthy and prevent symptoms of their disease such as developmental delays and seizures,” said event organizer and GGC metabolic dietitian, Mitzi Grappone. “Our goal with this event is to educate parents, provide fun learning activities for the kids and bring together families who all face similar challenges in managing their child’s diagnosis.” The Fiesta-themed event was held in
CAREER MILESTONES
Katy Drazba, MS,CGC, passed the American Board of Genetic Counseling examination and is now a boardcer tified genetic counselor. Katy joined GGC’s Florence office in 2016 and provides clinical counseling and coordinates the Center’s new Fragile X syndrome clinic. Dr. Carrie Buchanan, MD, of the GGC Center for Translational Research achieved board certification in DevelopmentalBehavioral Pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics. She participates in specialty clinics for Fragile X and Rett syndromes and is involved in clinical trial implementation. Kasia Ellsworth, PhD, has completed her second GGC Medical Genetics Training Program fellowship. She finished a Clinical Biochemical Genetics fellowship in 2016 and this spring completed a second fellowship in Clinical Molecular Genetics. Dr. Ellsworth has joined GGC’s DNA Diagnostic Laboratory as a Clinical Molecular Specialist.
The GGC Biochemical Genetics Laboratory is bidding farewell to Judy Haley, a laboratory technologist who is retiring after 25 years of dedicated service. Judy performed all of GGC’s prenatal screens for several decades. She has handled over 100,000 samples in her years at GGC, impacting tens of thousands of families.
“Judy has been a model employee, “ said Biochemical Lab Director, Tim Wood, PhD. She is dependable, hard-working, and detail oriented. We will miss her experience and her consistently positive attitude. We wish Judy well in her retirement.” Cindy Skinner, RN, Research Sample Coordinator, is retiring after 22 years at GGC. She has assisted with research recruitment, sample collection and study management and has coauthored numerous journal articles. “Cindy has been an invaluable asset to the Research Division, serving as the liaison between our lab and the many patients and families who look to us for assistance,” said Charles Schwartz, PhD, Director of Research. “With a genuine concern for the welfare of all of our patients, she has recruited countless families into research studies and kept them engaged in our progress. She has worked closely with the clinical and diagnostic divisions to ensure that patients always received the highest quality care. We wish her well in retirement.”