2012 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting: Meeting Overview

The 2012 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting will present both research and clinical topics that promote the science and the practice of clinical genetics and genomics. Topics include the etiology and the pathogenesis of genetic disorders, genetic testing and screening, the laboratory’s role in the diagnosis of genetic disorders, the treatment of genetic disorders in children and adults, and the delivery of genetic services.

Audience

Physicians with an interest in genetic disease; medical and human geneticists; genetic counselors; laboratory geneticists, directors and workers; researchers; educators; physicians of all specialties; students, trainees and fellows; clinical nurses; physician assistants, dietitians, public health workers; consumer advocates and others with an interest in the science and art of medical genetics.

Meeting Format

Plenary and Concurrent Invited Sessions highlight a wide range of topics of interest to genetics practitioners, researchers, and counselors. The Joint ACMG/SIMD Plenary Session will be held on Saturday, March 31 from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm.

Abstract Presentations/Contributed Papers will be presented in Oral Platform Presentations and Poster Displays.
CME Short Courses/Educational Workshops are half day courses held on the Tuesday afternoon prior to the official start of the meeting. These courses are focused on one particular topic and allow participants an additional opportunity to accrue CME and CEUs.
Special Interest Group (SIG) Forums are held on Tuesday afternoon and evening and developed by the various Special Interest Groups within ACMG – the Public Health SIG, Adult Genetics SIG and QI SIG.
Diagnostic Dilemmas (Unknowns and Rare Knowns), held on Friday evening, this session provides attendees an opportunity to bring cases to the attention of a panel of experts and an audience of geneticists for discussion of differential diagnosis, treatment and counseling options.
Industry Supported Symposia are non-commercial scientific sessions supported by ACMG’s industry partners. These symposia are not part of the official Annual Meeting sessions as planned by the Program Committee and are not approved for CME by ACMG, but are held in conjunction with the ACMG Annual Meeting. These sessions will be approved for CME and planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the sponsorship of other accredited CME providers than ACMG. CME accreditation will be noted in all program listings. ACMG will apply for CEU approval for counselors and nurses from NSGC. While open to all ACMG attendees – pre-registration is required.
Exhibit Theaters are one-half hour sessions held in theaters in the Exhibit Hall during exhibit hours and are presented by exhibiting companies. These sessions showcase recent developments and applications of their products, techniques, and/or services and demonstrate how the product or service is used in practical and/or clinical settings. (These sessions are not approved for CME or CEUs.)

CME Short Courses

Two CME Short Courses will be offered on Tuesday, March 27 from 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Pre-registration and additional registration fee required. Instructions will be provided when registering. Topics to be presented will be:

Next Generation Sequencing: Clinical Utility, Laboratory Implementation and Bioinformatics Analysis
Clinical Cancer Genetics: New Paradigms and Concepts for Understanding Cancer Susceptibility

Trainee Sessions and Events

Welcome Reception for Trainees, Fellows, Residents and Students
Tuesday, March 27, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Trainee Session: The Road to Success In Medical Genetics - An Educational Primer
Wednesday, March 28, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Proposing a research project, writing a manuscript, and applying for a grant can be routine for senior faculty but can be difficult for trainees and junior faculty. This workshop will explore the Institutional Review Board process, applying for grants - including NIH grants, and getting a manuscript written and published. In addition, the session will explore job opportunities in the academic environment and private sector.

Trainee/Mentor Luncheon
Wednesday, March 28, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Pre-registration and addtional registraion fee required. Instructions will be provided when registering.

Special Student Session

Careers in Medical Genetics - An Informational Session for Students
A half day Special Session will be held on Friday, March 30 in conjunction with the 2012 ACMG Annual Meeting for college and university undergraduate students, graduate students and medical students. For more information on this session click here.

The session will:
• Inform students about careers in medical genetics and the training pathways toward becoming clinical geneticists, clinical laboratory geneticists, and genetic counselors (including educational and training requirements and what these professionals do)
• Provide students with an overview of current topics in medical genetics including advances in laboratory technologies
• Describe how genetic information and technologies impact diagnostics, genetic risk assessment, medical practice, and individual and public health
• Offer students an opportunity to interact with one another and with practicing geneticists

All sessions, exhibits, and posters will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center unless otherwise noted in the schedule.