Dear ASHG Members,
Earlier this year I had the great privilege of joining ASHG. The past seven months have been somewhat of a whirlwind as I learned more about the organization and our members and staff have embraced me as part of the ASHG family. While I’m still learning new acronyms each day, (our staff assures me that there won’t be a test!), I have learned a lot about ASHG and what makes it thrive, and I’d like to share some of these learnings with you.
- We have a strong foundation – As I mentioned to the Board during our recent meeting, ASHG’s strong foundation and membership commitment is truly amazing. This foundation positions us for future success and I’m excited about what’s in store for 2025.
- Our annual meeting and educational programs are exceptional – The energy within the halls of the Colorado Convention Center was palpable and the science was top notch. Beth Sullivan, PhD, and the Program Committee developed a stellar program and partnered with our staff team to create an exceptional experience for attendees. We also introduced new career development and networking activities that were standing room only! If you weren’t in Denver, don’t worry – our interactive workshops, platform abstract sessions and much more will be available on-demand in our LMS by the end of this month! We also have some great programming on tap for 2025.
- The members are the heart of ASHG – I had to leave extra time to get from session to session in Denver because so many members stopped me in the hallway to say welcome and hello. This sense of community and inclusiveness is one of the things that makes ASHG special, and we are working with the staff and our committees to ensure that inclusiveness is felt by all our members and staff regardless of whether they attend the annual meeting.
- We are a trusted and respected partner – Whether it’s the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), an international human genetics and genomics society or an industry partner, ASHG is seen as a valued partner with credible scientific resources. We will continue to build on this important legacy in the coming year to expand not only our educational offerings and resources but also how we work together with our partners to serve the global human genetics and genomics community.
My thanks to everyone who has reached out to me to share their ASHG stories and what ASHG means to you. I’d also like to thank Bruce D. Gelb, M.D., for his partnership and leadership this year. I look forward to seeing many of you at various events and committee meetings in the months ahead.
My best,
Amanda Perl
ASHG CEO