In April 2019, the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) welcomed its second PA in the Greenville office, Laura Gardner, MSPAS, PA-C.  Gardner, who is a member of SPAGG, is in the Metabolic Advanced Practice Provider (MAPP) Fellowship, funded by Sanofi Genzyme. 

The MAPP Fellowship is a 24 month training program designed to prepare a PA or nurse practitioner in the diagnosis and medical management of individuals with lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs).  LSDs are a group of about 50 rare disorders characterized by the accumulation of waste products in the lysosomes of the cells in the body.  When asked about the MAPP Fellowship, Gardner responded, “I am thrilled to have been selected to be a part of such a unique and exciting opportunity. Getting to work in the field of genetics, specifically with patients with such rare disorders, is a true honor, and I am grateful to Sanofi Genzyme and the GGC in facilitating my training.”  Gardner is being mentored by Dr. Curtis Rogers in GGC’s Greenville office, where the majority of LSD patients are followed.  Gardner notes that she is “looking forward to the future of this field, the future of rare diseases, and the future of PAs in genetics.”

The GGC’s Division of Education has also received an $82,000 grant from Sanofi Genzyme to expand PA education in genetics, especially as it relates to LSDs.  With this grant, the GGC is leading efforts to provide lectures for PA students and create reference material specifically for PAs.  The LSD Fact Sheets created through the Sanofi Genzyme grant can be found here on our website.  The GGC is also working on developing materials for the website of the American Academy of Physician Assistants where there are currently no genetics resources.

More information can be found on page 7 of the GGC’s Summer News Letter.