What is the Purpose of the Vermont Oxford Rady Children’s Genomic Network?

The collaboration between VON and RCIGM aims to improve the quality of newborn care by creating a learning network for multidisciplinary neonatal teams interested in amplifying their expertise in genomic medicine.

Building on the strengths of VON and RCIGM, the Genomic Network will harness the power of the worldwide neonatology community to advance research and implementation of evidence-based precision medicine.

Led by expert faculty from VON and RCIGM, the Genomic Network will consist of NICU teams interested in learning how genomic sequencing can be used to inform medical management of acutely ill newborns.

What activities will the Genomic Network include?

The Genomic Network will offer a variety of educational opportunities, including webinars, annual face-to-face meetings, and online learning tools. Continuing education credits will be offered pending approval.

Who can join the Genomic Network?

Institution-level membership is available to multidisciplinary teams from hospitals interested in learning more about clinical application of genomic medicine including those with well-established clinical genomic and research programs.

We are not currently a VON member, can we still participate?

Yes. Institutions that are not current VON members can join the Genomic Network.

We currently have our own in-house genetic expertise and testing resources; can we still participate and learn?

Yes. The Genomic Network will help facilitate comparison of practices among colleagues in the field as well as introduce teams with limited genomic resources to the application of genomic medicine. We welcome all hospitals, including those with well-established clinical genomic and research programs, whose genetics team members will be vital to the learning process. We also welcome NICU/PICU teams from community or academic hospitals with more limited local genetic/genomic support and resources.

Are memberships available for individuals?

The Genomic Network is designed for team-based participation. Although individual learning is possible, creating a transformational approach to the diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions requires a committed multidisciplinary team.

Who should be included on our team?

Medical geneticists, genetic counselors, medical ethicists, lab directors, neonatologists, pediatricians, fellows, NICU nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, physician medical directors, nursing directors.

Will there be any clinical services or diagnostic testing involved?

The focus of the Genomic Network is expanding knowledge and understanding of genomic and precision medicine through learning, sharing, and collaboration.

Members of the Genomic Network have the option to contract separately for access to the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine’s rapid Whole Genome Sequencing diagnostic testing and clinical consultation services. These services are not included  as a benefit of membership in the Genomic Network. NOTE: VON will not have access to specific patient’s genomic results/data.

When will the Genomic Network activities begin?

The Genomic Network launched at the Genomics Summit during VON’s Annual Quality Congress on September 21, 2018 and formal learning activities will begin in in 2019.

Will VON be doing any additional data collection on the use of genomic medicine or whole genome sequencing in the NICU?

No additional data collection is needed to participate in the Genomic Network.

How do we get more information or sign up for the Genomic Network?

Fill out this form or email genomics@vtoxford.org.

Who is organizing the Genomic Network?

The Vermont Oxford Rady Children’s Genomic Network is a collaboration between Vermont Oxford Network (VON), a world leader in quality improvement in newborn care, and Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM), a pioneer in optimizing rapid Whole Genome Sequencing to inform medical management of newborns in intensive care.

The two nonprofit organizations share the mission of improving care of vulnerable infants and are merging expertise and resources to expand knowledge and implementation of genomic medicine.

More About the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine

The Institute is leading the way in advancing precision healthcare for infants and children through genomic and systems medicine research. Discoveries at the Institute are enabling rapid diagnosis and targeted treatment of critically ill newborns and pediatric patients at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and partner hospitals. The vision is to expand delivery of this integrated translational research process to enable the practice of precision pediatric medicine at children’s hospitals across California, the nation and the world. RCIGM is a subsidiary of Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center. Learn more at www.RadyGenomics.org.

Disclosure
The Vermont Oxford Rady Children’s Genomic Network is funded by Vermont Oxford Network (VON) and Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM). RCIGM offers optional genomic diagnostic testing services and expert consultations that are available to hospitals via separate contract. These diagnostic services are not a part of the Genomic Network.