‘Personalized Medicine’ at this week’s IRP

The April 21 session of Institute for Retired Professionals will host Robert West, associate professor in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at SUNY Upstate Medical University. West will discuss “Personalized Medicine: Tailoring Health Care in the Information Age.”

Genotyping, plus the Internet, is creating “personalized medicine,” a new age of medicine in which health care providers appreciate that what works for one patient may be ineffective for another. West was among the first in the nation to offer training to medical students that incorporates genomic and personalized medicine into the curriculum at SUNY Upstate.

West is a molecular biologist and geneticist by training and has taught medical students for the past 26 years. He currently serves as a co-director for a first-year medical student course in Molecular and Cellular Principles of Medicine, as an advisory dean to first- and second-year medical students and as a member of several campuswide committees dedicated to medical student education. Most recently, his mission has involved educating medical students in the areas of genomic and personalized medicine. He advocates a 21st -century health care that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory for patients. While a scientist and educator by training, West is also a staunch supporter of patient advocacy, and an ardent e-patient.

The Institute for Retired Professionals, established by University College of Syracuse University, provides opportunities for retired people to stay intellectually active, to expand interests and make new acquaintances. Presentations are made by SU faculty and specialists within the community.

For more information on this program, call University College of Syracuse University at (315) 443-4846, or visit http://www.yesu.syr.edu/IRP.