ASHG Advocacy Award - ASHG 2015
R. Rodney Howell, MD
ASHG TV was honored to interview R. Rodney Howell, MD, the first ever recipient of the ASHG Advocacy Award. The award is given individuals or groups who have exhibited excellence and achievement in applications of human genetics for the common good, in areas such as facilitating public awareness of genetics issues, promoting funding for biomedical research, and integrating genetics into health systems.
Throughout his career, Dr. Howell has led varied efforts to leverage biomedical and genetic advances to improve public health. He has held leadership positions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association since the 1980s, as Chairman of its Genetics Task Force from 1983-1989, as Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board from 1989-2007, and as Chairman of its Board of Directors since 2007. In these roles, he advocated for the research and improved care of people with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases, and in 2007 helped the organization establish a formal National Advocacy Office. Dr. Howell has also been heavily involved in implementing newborn genetic screening in the United States. We ask Dr. Howell about his proudest achievements and what this award means to him.