| Dear Friends and Colleagues:
I hope that this newsletter finds you well and that you are enjoying the Spring season.
As my Presidency term draws to an end I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who volunteers their time to committee and working group activities that drive our missions and strategic initiatives. Through the last six years on the CCMG Board I have witnessed the incredible work that you do and appreciate the tremendous contributions that you have made to advancing our field. There is a lot of work required behind the scenes to prepare exams, credential trainees, accredit training centers, develop training and practice guidelines, provide continued professional development and advocate for high quality medical genetics across Canada. We could not do it without the tireless efforts of our administrative office, volunteer committee/working group members, chairs and our board. Thank you to you all!
I would also like to extend a special thank you to the Laboratory Biochemical Genetics Training Redesign Working Group, co-chaired by Drs. Bojana Rakic and Ryan Lamont. The working group has facilitated new training guidelines that is loosely modeled after the CCMG Genetic and Genomic Diagnostics training guidelines and incorporates concepts from the competency by design training model. These guidelines have recently been approved by the board. More information will be provided to training centers and members shortly.
As we celebrate our volunteers, I would also like to highlight exciting new opportunities for members to volunteer with CCMG initiatives. In this newsletter the CCMG calls for new volunteers to several committees and working groups. This includes a call for volunteers to a new CCMG committee, the Cancer Genetics Committee. This new committee will review issues related to the training in and practice of Laboratory and Clinical Cancer Genetics in Canada. It will also facilitate communication between key stakeholders in inherited and somatic cancer genetics and drive standards of care with a focus on understanding patients’ cancer genetic needs in Canada.
The CCMG has been very active over the last year. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share updates with you at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for June 12, 2024 at noon EST. Similar to recent years the Annual General Meeting will be conducted virtually. The meeting agenda is available through the members-only portion of the CCMG website and is also being provided through an email blast. We hope that you will be able to join us at this meeting.
I also hope that you will be able to join us for the CCMG Scientific Meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland June 16-19th! There is a terrific line up of speakers and events scheduled including symposium and workshops about polygenic risk scores, a genomic strategy for Canada, genomics education, technology trends in the clinic, advances in hematological malignancies and the genetics workforce. We also hope that you and your guests will be able to celebrate the beautiful city of St. John’s through the ‘Rally in the Alley’ social event and Gala Banquet Dinner. More information about the full schedule is available through the CCMG website.
I am looking forward to seeing you in St. John’s!
With best wishes,
Elizabeth (Liz) McCready, PhD, FCCMG |
