Profiles in Clinical Excellence Genetics

By John Wang, MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Genetics

Genetics is transforming medicine, with newly discovered mutations implicated in disease emerging at a rapid pace – as well as novel therapies to address them. In short, an increasing number of medical issues are now recognized as having a genetic component, challenging us as geneticists and genetics professionals to step up the care we provide and offer our patients answers.

At University Hospitals, my genetics colleagues and I are proud to help our patients navigate this ongoing transformation. Our Department of Genetics here at UH truly lives our vision – advancing the science of health and the art of compassion. We serve as a bridge between clinical practice and research innovation, ensuring that patients benefit from the latest advances in genetics while contributing to discoveries that shape the future of healthcare.

Not surprisingly, our mission mirrors the UH mission: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Through our various genetics clinics, we work closely with primary care providers and specialists to evaluate complex medical conditions, identify genetic contributions and guide personalized care plans. Whether through counseling, diagnostic testing or management strategies, our goal is to make genetics accessible and understandable for every patient. You can read more about our Center for Human Genetics, with clinical locations across Northeast Ohio, in the article below.

Teaching is also fundamental to our mission. We train future leaders through residency programs in clinical genetics, combined pediatrics-genetics and internal medicine-genetics tracks, as well as a fellowship program in medical biochemical genetics for those wanting to work with metabolic diseases. Our genetic counseling master’s program prepares professionals who combine scientific expertise with empathy — critical for guiding patients through life-changing diagnoses. UH doctors and genetic counselors teach classes of the genetic counseling program, and the genetic counseling students do their clinical rotations at UH. Graduate students pursuing PhDs in genetics also contribute to our vibrant educational environment.

Our research program is equally robust. We are leading efforts in gene therapies, including CRISPR-based genome editing, antisense oligonucleotide, and mRNA technologies inspired by vaccine breakthroughs. These innovations aim to correct genetic mutations at their source, offering hope for conditions once considered untreatable. Our faculty have published groundbreaking work in Science, Cell and Nature, which you can explore in the article below.

The field of genetics is evolving rapidly, and our department is committed to staying at the forefront — developing therapies, expanding access and educating future clinicians. Whether through pioneering research or compassionate clinical care, our goal remains the same: To improve lives by unlocking the power of genetics.