Project ECHO

The Greenwood Genetic Center’s Project ECHO is a unique initiative aiming to provide ongoing, interactive education to non-genetic healthcare providers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate genetics into their medical practice.

GGC’s ECHO project includes a series of virtual sessions providing free continuing medical education (CME) credits for healthcare providers. These bimonthly sessions will feature GGC experts covering a variety of topics in medical genetics. The format includes multimedia presentations, case examples, and discussions, encouraging providers to actively participate and share their own cases.

Meeting ID: 892 9646 0405
Passcode: 721394

Project ECHO Schedule

Sessions will be held virtually on the third Thursday of every other month from 12:00pm – 1:00pm EST.

• May 16, 2024 – Who needs a genetics referral and what is the process?
  Wesley Patterson, PhD, PA-C, GGC Clinical Provider
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• July 18, 2024 – Key clinical genetics concepts
  Emily Millare, MS, CGC, GGC Genetic Counselor
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• September 19, 2024 – Choosing and interpreting the right test: Technologies and testing
  Kameryn Butler, PhD, Assistant Director, GGC Cytogenetics Laboratory
  Wesley Patterson, PhD, PA-C, GGC Clinical Provider
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• November 21, 2024 – Hearing loss and genetic etiologies
  Brett Sparks, FNP, GGC Clinical Provider
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• January 16, 2025 – Connective tissue disorders
  Jessica Lopez, MS, CGC, GGC Genetic Counselor
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• March 20, 2025 – Pulmonary disorders
  Natasha Rudy, MS, CGC, GGC Genetic Counselor
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• May 15, 2025 – Pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders and autism
  Carrie Buchanan, MD, GGC Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
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 FAQs

1. What is the Project ECHO model?

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an innovative telementoring program designed to create virtual communities of learners by bringing together healthcare providers and subject matter experts using videoconference technology, brief lecture presentations, and case-based learning.

Project ECHO has been recognized globally as a successful tool to improve patient care outcomes. ECHO follows these four key principles:

• Subscribes to the disease management model of care that aims to improve quality, reduce variety, and standardize best practices.
• Fosters multidisciplinary partnerships that increase access to care and reduce health care costs.
• Engages health care providers to participate in case‐based learning under guided practice to provide specialized care to their own patients.
• Utilizes technology to promote face-to-face mentorship and sharing of knowledge and experience by experts and peers without the need for cost-intensive supervision, in-person trainings, and travel.

2. Are CMEs provided?

Yes! CME’s are offered through the Medical University of South Carolina. Participants need to create a profile with MUSC’s CMETracker.

3. What can I expect from the Project ECHO sessions?

Each virtual session will include a live presentation by a GGC faculty member to provide an overview of the topic. The majority of the session will be focused on specific case examples. Attendees are encouraged to submit their own de-identified cases for discussion. Cases should be submitted to [email protected] on the Friday prior to each session.

4. Do I need to attend all sessions for CME credit?

No. You will receive CME credit for each individual session you attend. There may be topics that you already feel comfortable with or topics that don’t really apply to your area of specialty. Attend those you feel you will gain knowledge that will improve patient care.

5. Will the sessions be recorded?

Yes. All sessions will be recorded and accessible within two weeks following the live session.

6. Additional CME information

The Medical University of South Carolina designates each live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: Most states accept CMEs that apply to a specific nursing specialty as nursing continuing education. Please check with your respective State Board of Nursing to ascertain the equivalent number of contact hours offered for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

The Medical University of South Carolina is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for Physicians.

Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education anyone involved in planning or presenting this educational activity will be required to disclose any financial relationships with any ineligible companies. An ineligible company is any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. This information is listed below as applicable. Any financial relationships with these ineligible companies have been mitigated by the MUSC Office of CME. Speakers who incorporate information about off-label or investigational use of drugs or devices will be asked to disclose that information at the beginning of their presentation.  Any speaker disclosures will be added here.