About

Mission Statement

The goal of SERN is 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 improve the quality of coordinated and comprehensive genetic services to children and their families.

Key Personnel


Rani Singh, PhD, RD, LD

Dr. Singh is a Professor in the Department of Human Genetics and Pediatrics,Director of the Metabolic Nutrition Program, and Co-Director of the Bionutrition Research Unit for the Georgia Clinical and Translational Alliance at Emory University School of Medicine. She has served as Co-Project Director for the Southeast Regional Genetics Network for the past 14 years. She provides leadership and scholarship for the planning, organization, and execution of proposed grant activities.

Hans Andersson, MD

Dr. Andersson is the Director of the Hayward Genetics Center and the Karen Gore Chair of Human Genetics at Tulane University Medical Center, where he directs the Biochemical Genetics Lab. Furthermore, he is actively involved in the 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 Genetics Workforce Workgroup.

Elizabeth Krupinski, PhD

Dr. Krupinski has spent over 20 years conducting telemedicine research. She has served as Principal Investigator on a number of very successful radiology, pathology, and telemedicine grants, including one establishing the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center. Dr. Krupinski provides leadership for telehealth efforts, planning, and the development and support of the technology required for the project. She provides guidance to all issues related to telehealth and strengthens the collaborations with the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center (SWTRC).

Gaurav Dave, MD, DrPH

Dr. Dave is currently the Associate Professor, Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and the Associate Director for the Center for Health Equity Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the Evaluation Chair for SERN and is responsible for data interpretation analysis and reporting activities in strong collaboration with the PI, staff, and stakeholders. Furthermore, he works closely with project staff to deliver timely reports and disseminate information regarding formative and summative evaluation.

Rachael Connor, MBA, PMP

Ms. Connor is the Assistant Program Director for the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University School of Medicine, and Project Manager for the Southeast Regional Genetics Network HRSA initiative. She is responsible for overseeing strategic planning, monitoring progress toward achieving grant goals, and managing the implementation of grant programs and activities.

State Resources and Contacts


Access detailed information for individual states with SERN’s region.

History


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 of 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 notice of the grant award to increase access to genetics services, including the use of telemedicine, especially for the medically underserved.

Additionally, in 2020, the HRSA grant was renewed for another four years. We received the notice of grant award for the continued development of programs focused on the education and training of healthcare professionals, telemedicine, and linking patients to genetic services. SERN covers eight states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) in the U.S. Southeast.

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.