- By Ashley Thompson
- Posted September 14, 2023
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Spotlight: Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation
Norma was a healthy, active 65-year-old woman who was rarely sick and had always been proactive about her health. She went to her internist complaining of weight gain, abdominal discomfort, and a chronic cough. When the diagnosis was finally made, Norma had stage 4 ovarian cancer. She endured nine hours of surgery, countless rounds of chemotherapy,…
- By Meagan Farmer
- Posted August 9, 2023
Her Healthcare: Leveraging the CARE Program to Scale High-Risk Patient Identification
We recently met with Texas OB/GYN, Dr. Noel Boyd. We learned about her passion for caring for the whole patient and helping to identify those at increased risk for cancer so that they can make proactive choices to address their risk. Dr. Boyd’s practice implemented The CARE ProgramTM, which stands for “Comprehensive Assessment of Risk and…
- By Meagan Farmer
- Posted August 2, 2023
Her Healthcare: Offering Comprehensive Care with Hereditary Cancer Testing
Dr. Noel Boyd is an OB/GYN who has been in private practice in a suburb of Houston, TX, for 21 years. The patients seen in her practice, Her Healthcare, range in age from 9 to 99, and she cares for them through everything from routine exams to high-risk pregnancy, from contraception counseling to cancer screening. “I really love taking care…
- By Catherine Schultz, MS, CGC
- Posted July 18, 2023
Gene of the Month: KCNH5
In 2013, Emma’s parents1 hoped that a new genetic test, whole exome sequencing (WES), would reveal why their 2-year-old daughter developed epileptic encephalopathy. However, when Emma’s WES results were negative, her parents were disappointed. How could they examine the whole exome and not find an answer? For patients with rare genetic disorders…
- By Dr. Harry Ostrer, M.D.
- Posted June 13, 2023
SCOTUS Tenth Anniversary: Myriad at 10
This week, we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision, Association of Molecular Pathology versus Myriad Genetics (“Myriad") that overturned the validity of gene patents. The case was successful, because of some remarkable contingencies, first the conceptualization by ACLU lawyer Chris Hansen and his advisor Tania…
- By Jodi Tahsler
- Posted June 13, 2023
Outlier: Runi Limary Let Her Voice Be Heard on BRCA Gene Patents
When it comes to breast cancer, Runi Limary has more personal experience than average. She not only spent time working at a nonprofit for people with breast cancer, but she was diagnosed herself at the young age of twenty-eight. When ACLU lawyers reached out to her about the court case regarding BRCA1 and BRCA2 patents to see…
- By Jodi Tahsler
- Posted May 18, 2023
Meet the Gene Team: Jennifer Huang, PhD, presents the Gene of the Month, PTPN4
Meet the Gene Team The Gene Team is an essential part of Ambry Genetics. This passionate team of experts is inspired by advancing the science of gene characterization and being able to help patients. For our third installment, we would like to introduce Jennifer Huang, PhD, Senior Clinical Scientist at Ambry Genetics. Dr. Jennifer Huang is a…
- By Jodi Tahsler
- Posted April 12, 2023
Ambry Spotlights Rob Pilarski: Seeing Genetic Testing’s Big Picture
Ambry Genetics caught up with Robert Pilarski, MS, LGC, MSW, Director of Medical Affairs, at his home on the shore in Cape Cod. He describes the town as “his happy place,” and in learning more about his role at Ambry, it seems that his career has entered a happy place as well. Rob has been with Ambry for over two years and is often sought…
- By Jodi Tahsler
- Posted April 11, 2023
Meet the Gene Team: Jeni Herrera-Mullar, MGC, CGC, DMA, presents the Gene of the Month, MSH3
Meet the Gene Team The Gene Team is an essential part of Ambry Genetics. This passionate team of experts is inspired by advancing the science of gene characterization and being able to help patients. For our second installment, we would like to introduce Jeni Herrera-Mullar, MGC, CGC, DMA, Principal Clinical Scientist at Ambry Genetics. Jeni…
- By Catherine Schultz, MS, CGC
- Posted March 23, 2023
Ambry Genetics Diagnostic Dilemma: +RNAinsight® Reveals Lynch Syndrome in Sisters
In recognition of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Ambry would like to share the story of Jane and Julie Smith (not their real names) – sisters and cancer survivors. Jane was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 at the age of 36. While she was concerned about her diagnosis and family history of ovarian cancer, genetic testing was not widely available…