Genetic Alliance proudly partners with a number of the nation’s leading health professional societies and organizations to offer an Advocates Partnership Program integrated into annual meetings across the country. Up to 10 advocates attend each conference and participate in exclusive meetings with genetics professionals, including representatives from healthcare, industry, academia, research, and government. The Advocates Partnership Program offers an unparalleled opportunity for participants to gain unique insight into a variety of professions while networking with advocates and professionals from around the world.
Now accepting applications:
Advocates Partnership Program
at the International Congress of Human Genetics
October 11-15, 2011 ● Montreal, Canada
www.ichg2011.org
Deadline to Apply: August 26, 2011
What is the Advocates Partnership Program at ICHG?
In October 2011, in partnership with ICHG and ASHG, Genetic Alliance will host an Advocates Partnership Program (APP) incorporated into the Congress for leaders of advocacy organizations. The APP provides advocates with a different access point into human genetics: advocates representing their organizations will participate in daily intimate, collaborative forums with leaders of the human genetics community and engage in thought-provoking discussions with ICHG and ASHG leadership and genetics professionals performing work in their areas of interest. The program has led to important and exciting collaborations between scientists and the advocacy organizations and continues to prove to be an excellent networking experience.
This year’s Program is offered thanks to generous support of Genome BC and the American Society of Human Genetics.
How will advocates benefit by participating in the Advocates Partnership Program at the ICHG Meeting?
All accepted advocates will receive waived, full registration to the meeting; breakfast and lunch each day (Wednesday through Saturday); access to all program activities, including the Opening Reception, Exhibit Hall, Poster Sessions, and Symposia and Workshops; access to the American Society of Human Genetics President, Board of Directors, Committees Chairs, and leaders in human genetics research; the opportunity to interact with other advocates who have similar interests; and Genetic Alliance staff support for the advocates before, during, and after the meeting.
Advocates will gather for daily, informal briefings with several genetics professionals to learn about highlights or important and significant events in the meeting program during that day. Throughout the meeting, scheduled Advocates Partnership Program forums will provide space for advocates to ask questions of the genetics professionals and share impressions and thoughts about presentations at the meeting. These dialogues can lead to energetic brainstorming around solutions and improvements for health systems to better meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
How does integrating advocate perspectives benefit the genetic professional community?
Genetics professionals obtain a greater understanding of the impact of their work in the broader health community through engaging with individuals who have a different access point or perspective, and often times different solutions, to emerging challenges to translating genetic research findings into improved outcomes for healthcare and public health systems. Genetics professionals acknowledge advocacy organizations as a resource and together, can create policies critical to developing and broadening access to services, advancing research, and enabling translation.
How do I apply? What are the requirements?
The APP program is available for members of the health and disease advocacy organizations and individuals active in health community. Priority will be given to individuals who previously have not participated in the Advocates Partnership Program. People who potentially can be members of ASHG in the following categories are not eligible to apply:
- MD, PhD, Laboratory Director, Corporate Executive
- Genetic Counselor, Nurse, Physician Assistant, Laboratory Technologist/Technician
- Emeritus and Honorary
- Fellow, Resident, Trainee, Student
Fill out the application form.
Applications are due by Friday, August 26, 2011. Please submit them to Tetyana Murza by email, tmurza@geneticalliance.org, or fax, (202) 966-8553. Applicants will be informed whether they were selected by Friday, September 9, 2011.
Is there finacial support available?
The Advocates Partnership Program will provide all selected advocates with waived, full registration to the meeting. Genetic Alliance will reimburse up to $500* for transportation, hotel room, or airfare to Canadian participants selected for the program (Thanks to a generous support of Genome BC). Reimbursement for American participants may become available upon availability of funds. *Please note that you will be required to cover your own travel and lodging upfront.
To be eligible for reimbursement participants must
- Attend the entire meeting (10/11/11 – 10/15/11);
- Fill out a survey about impressions of the meeting and write a two-page report about either a presentation or poster they found to be of interest and relevant to their organization at the end of the conference;
- Submit an expense report with receipts by Monday, October 31, 2011 (expenses can be submitted for transportation, hotel, and airfare only; receipts must be dated Tuesday, October 11, 2011 through Saturday, October 15, 2011).
