Beginning in 2004, HRSA MCHB funded a series of Regional Collaborative Projects throughout the United States. This funding aimed at overcoming and developing regional approaches to maldistributions of genetics services and expertise within each region. The initial phase of funding lasted three years and was awarded to SERGG, Inc.

In the winter 2006 a five year competitive renewal application was issued. During this time SERGG requested that another institution serve as the applicant agency. Emory University took the responsibility and now serves as the grantee for the cooperative agreement. Award notices were issued in May 2007 and the region received funding for core and priority activities. These activities are solely supported by HRSA and in-kind staff time, where appropriate.

In 2012 a second five year competitive renewal was awarded to Emory University for the continuation of the activities begun in 2006.

In 2016 HRSA announced a three year competitive renewal and a name change from the Regional Genetic and Newborn Screening Services in Region 3 (Regional Genetics Collaborative) to the Regional Genetics Network. In 2017, Emory University received the notice of grant award for continued development of new telemedicine programs, as well as optimization of existing telegenetics programs looking to grow and become more sustainable in the southeast region.

The program intends to improve health equity and health outcomes in individuals with genetic conditions, reduce morbidity and mortality caused by genetic conditions (including congenital and metabolic disorders); and to improve the quality of coordinated and comprehensive genetic services to children and their families.

The purpose of the Southeast Regional Genetics Network is to:

1. Link medically underserved populations (based on poverty, rural geographic location, and/or populations that experience health disparities) to genetic services
2. Implement quality improvement activities to increase the connection with genetic services for the medically underserved
3. Implement evidence-based innovative models of telehealth and/or telemedicine with a focus on clinical genetics outreach
4. Provide resources to genetic service providers, public health officials and families.
5. Improve coordinated long-term follow-up and delivery of comprehensive genetic services.

Links to this application are available here.

This funding establishes a set of reporting requirements, along with performance metrics, for the region. For additional information about HRSA and its grant opportunities please visit hrsa.gov.

June 29, 2017

Rani H Singh, PhD, RDN, LD Project Director Dr. Singh is Professor and Director of the Metabolic Nutrition Program at Emory University School of Medicine Department of Human Genetics. Dr. Singh provides leadership and scholarship for the overall planning, organization, and execution of the proposed project. She ensures proper implementation and evaluation of the entire project.	Hans C. Andersson, MD Co-Project Director Co-Chair, Telemedicine Core Hans C. Andersson, MD, FACMG is Director of the Hayward Genetics Center and Gore Chair of Human Genetics at Tulane University Medical Center. He is the Director of the Biochemical Genetics Lab and is actively involved in clinical care of patients with inborn errors of metabolism. He has been Co-Project Director of the SERN HRSA initiative since 2006 and provides leadership for the overall planning, organization, and execution of the project. He Co-Chairs the Telemedicine Core Activity with Dr. Elizabeth Krupinski.	Elizabeth Krupinski, PhD Co-Chair, Telemedicine Core Dr. Krupinski has spent over 25 years working on medical image perception research and over 20 years conducting telemedicine research. She has served as PI on a number of other very successful radiology, pathology and telemedicine grants, including one establishing the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center. Dr. Krupinski provides leadership for telehealth efforts, planning and overseeing the development and support of the technology required for the project. She establishes goals, provides feedback for the team, and acts as a liaison for the technical team to the project leadership team and collaborative telehealth partners. She provides guidance to all issues related to telehealth and strengthens the collaborations with the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center (SWTRC).
Gaurav Dave, DrPH, MD Evaluation Chair Dr. Dave has a medical degree from the University of Pune, India. He attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and completed a Masters and a Doctorate in Public Health in 2006 and 2011 respectively, with a concentration in public health, community-based prevention research and evaluation. Dr. Dave is the Evaluation Chair and is responsible for data interpretation, analysis and reporting activities in strong collaboration with the PI, staff and stakeholders. He provides support for, and communicates with project staff on issues related to data and evaluation, database development, and outcome evaluation. He also works closely with project staff to deliver timely reports and disseminate information regarding formative and summative evaluation, to staff members and stakeholders.	Yetsa Osara, MPH, PMP Project Manager As an Associate Director of Research Projects at Emory University, Yetsa is responsible for managing complex research projects such as the Newborn Screening Connect (NBS Connect) patient registry and the Nutrition Management Guidelines project. She has a proven track record of successfully working with cross functional and geographically dispersed teams to complete both long and short-term project goals. Yetsa has extensive experience in providing expertise and guidance in managing the day-to-day activities of grant-funded research projects. She provides technical assistance to the PD and is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, monitoring progress towards achieving goals, responding to project reports, and assisting with communication materials. She is also responsible for facilitating regional activities with the national efforts of the NCC and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of HRSA.