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- Posted Tuesday October 15, 2013
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona joins TGen scientific-medical advisory panel
Dr. Carmona brings a wealth of experience to TGen's Center for Rare Childhood Disorders
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Oct. 15, 2013 - The 17th
Surgeon General of the United States and President of Canyon Ranch
Institute Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, today joined the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
advisory committee on rare childhood disorders.
Dr. Carmona's role on the National Advisory Committee for TGen's
Center for Rare Childhood Disorders (the Center) will be to help
incorporate genomic technologies into the standard of care.
The Center uses rapid genomic tests to discover the genetic source
of childhood ailments. Many of these rare disorders have no name,
and often are just a collection of symptoms with no apparent
cause.
Dr. Carmona is the keynote speaker today (Oct. 15) as TGen
celebrates the opening of its clinic for the Center at 3330 N. 2nd
Street, Suite 402, Phoenix, Ariz.
"Modern scientific advances are uncovering the nature and causes
of disease like no other point in history," said Dr. Carmona. "I am
honored to be invited to help guide TGen's development of this
unique Center - focused on children - that uses the latest DNA
technology to understand and diagnose rare disorders at the
molecular level and to develop treatments for patients who
previously had few, if any, options for care.
"Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of studying and
applying genetic advances to improve the lives of my patients, and
as Surgeon General of the United States, my team and I developed
the successful 'Surgeon General's Family History Initiative' with
colleagues throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services to help more people connect the concept of family health
history and genetics to their own lives."
The Center's National Advisory Committee (NAC) is a core group of
advisors and supporters with a passion for helping children and
families affected by rare and neglected pediatric diseases and
disorders.
Dr. Carmona will serve on the NAC's Scientific-Medical Advisory
Sub-Committee, which focuses on helping geneticists and health care
professionals to collaborate in order to incorporate genomic
technologies into the standard of care.
"Dr. Carmona brings to TGen a wealth of experience, forged through
first-hand treatment of patients and by driving innovative public
health programming at the individual, national, and global levels,"
said NAC Co-Chair David Harbour.
"We welcome Dr. Carmona as an internationally recognized physician
and health policy expert, whose knowledge and experience will help
the Center bring hope and answers to our young patients and their
families," said NAC Co-Chair Jacquie Dorrance.
Born to a poor Hispanic family in New York City, Dr. Carmona
experienced homelessness, hunger, and health disparities during his
youth. The experiences greatly sensitized him to the relationships
among culture, health, education and economic status and shaped his
future.
After dropping out of high school, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the
U.S. Army in 1967. While serving, he earned his General Equivalency
Diploma and went on to become a combat-decorated Special Forces
Vietnam veteran. After leaving active duty, he attended Bronx
Community College of the City University of New York through an
open enrollment program for veterans. He received an associate of
arts degree. He then attended the University of California, San
Francisco, where he received a bachelor of science degree (1977)
and medical degree (1979). At the University of California Medical
School, Dr. Carmona was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane as
the top graduate.
Trained in general and vascular surgery, Dr. Carmona also
completed a National Institutes of Health-sponsored fellowship in
trauma, burns, and critical care. A Fellow of the American College
of Surgeons, Dr. Carmona was recruited jointly by the Tucson
Medical Center and the University of Arizona to start and direct
Southern Arizona's first regional trauma care system. Dr. Carmona
would later become chairman of the State of Arizona Southern
Regional Emergency Medical System, a professor of surgery, public
health, and family and community medicine at the University of
Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department Surgeon.
In 2002, Dr. Carmona was nominated by the president and
unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the nation's
17th Surgeon General. Dr. Carmona was selected because of his
extensive experience in public health, clinical sciences, health
care management, preparedness, and his commitment to prevention as
an effective means to improve public health and reduce health care
costs while improving the quality and quantity of life.
As Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona focused on prevention,
preparedness, health disparities, health literacy, and global
health to include health diplomacy. He also issued many landmark
Surgeon General communications during his tenure, including the
definitive Surgeon General's Report about the dangers of
second-hand smoke.
Dr. Carmona has published extensively and received numerous
awards, decorations, and local and national recognitions for his
achievements. A strong supporter of community service, he has
served on community and national boards and provided leadership to
many diverse organizations.
In 2006, Dr. Carmona became Vice Chairman of Tucson-based Canyon
Ranch, a leader in the health and wellness field and President of
Canyon Ranch Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity
dedicated to catalyzing the possibility of optimal health for all
people by translating the best practices of Canyon Ranch and its
partners to help educate, inspire, and empower every person to
prevent disease and embrace a life of wellness.
Dr. Carmona is also the first Distinguished Professor of Public
Health at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman
College of Public Health and the first Dean's Distinguished
Professor of Health Promotion and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio
State University College of Nursing.
# # #
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]