WEBINAR RECORDING AVAILABLE

Dr. Dianna Milewicz, MD, PhD, Medical Geneticist and Genetic Counselor, Andrea Rideout, MS, CGC, CGC discuss why genetic testing is critical for the wellbeing of those with heritable aortic disease, and for their family members who may also be affected. Gain insights into genetic testing resources available in Canada.

Learn about the efforts of the international Montalcino Aortic Consortium (MAC) and understand the pivotal role your genetic test can have for life-changing research advancing personalized medical care.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Dianna M. Milewicz, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

President George H.W. Bush Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, Director of the Division of Medical Genetics and Vice-Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, UTHealth McGovern Medical School.

Dr. Milewicz is the Past Chair and continues to serve as an active expert for the Genetic Aortic Disorders Association Canada (GADA Canada) Professional Advisory Board. Dr. Milewicz is the Executive Chair of the Montalcino Aortic Consortium (MAC), leading the largest genetic aortic disease (GAD) registry for gene-based precision medicine research. She was an expert on the writing committee for the new aortic disease guidelines issued by the AHA/ACC, which considered MAC research findings for new treatment recommendations of genetic aortic disease. Dr. Milewicz received a GADA Canada – MAC award to expand the MAC registries for greater research outcomes of genetic aortic diseases.

Andrea L. Rideout, MS, CCGC, CGC

(Canadian) Certified Genetic Counselor

Maritime Medical Genetics Service, IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Andrea received her Master of Science degree in in Genetic Counselling from Sarah Lawrence College in 2002. Following she has held positions in prenatal and psychiatric genetics, research and primary care education in New York and Toronto. She returned to Halifax in 2007 to work with the Atlantic Medical Genetics and Genomics Initiative - a gene discovery project at Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre.  In 2008 she joined Maritime Medical Genetics Service at the IWK Health Centre as a clinical Genetic Counsellor. Currently her focus is on aortopathy, connective tissue disorders, inherited cardiac diseases and 22q11 deletion syndrome.

EVENT DISCLAIMER: The contents of this GADA Canada hosted virtual event, such as presentations, discussions, text, graphics, images, and other materials created or presented by GADA Canada and by others appearing in the event at the invitation of GADA Canada are for educational and informational purposes only. GADA Canada is a voluntary health organization and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or recommendations on diagnosis or treatment of genetic aortic disorders. The content within this virtual event or the GADA website, www.gadacanada.ca, should not replace necessary consultations with qualified health care professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Genetic aortic disorders are complex, multi-system disorders that can only be properly diagnosed and managed by skilled and trained health care professionals. The manifestations and severity of these disorders vary greatly among individuals and require personalized medical management. None of the medications, courses of treatment or lifestyle & activity recommendations discussed in this virtual event should be undertaken without being discussed with your physician.