TO CONGRATULATE ROGER E. STEVENSON, M.D., CO-FOUNDER AND SENIOR CLINICAL GENETICIST OF GREENWOOD GENETIC CENTER, ON RECEIVING THE PRESTIGIOUS AMERICAN COLLEGE OF MEDICAL GENETICS AND GENOMICS FOUNDATION DAVID L. RIMOIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN MEDICAL GENETICS.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that Roger E. Stevenson, M.D., co-founder and senior clinical geneticist at Greenwood Genetic Center, has been honored with the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics, presented by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Foundation at the college's annual meeting in Seattle; and

Whereas, this native of Neeses and graduate of Furman University received his M.D. from Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest, where as a medical student, he set up the school's first chromosome lab and made a groundbreaking discovery about the risk of birth defects in mothers with PKU, a rare inherited metabolic disorder. He proceeded to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he completed a pediatric residency and research fellowship, studying under some of the giants in his field; and

Whereas, while at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Stevenson met another research fellow, Harold Taylor, Ph.D., with whom he formed the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) in 1974. Since that time, Dr. Stevenson has led the center to international acclaim in clinical services, diagnostic testing, research, and educational programs; and

Whereas, with special interest in intellectual disability, birth defects, and autism, Dr. Stevenson has published over two hundred scientific papers and numerous books in the field of medical genetics. In addition, over the past twenty years, he and GGC research colleagues have identified nearly one-third of all known genes on the X chromosome that lead to intellectual disability, making GGC the international authority in this area of medical genetics; and

Whereas, another of Dr. Stevenson's passions lies in the area of birth defects prevention. In 1992, he founded the South Carolina Birth Defects Prevention Program at GGC, which has led to a sixty percent decline in severe defects of the brain and spine in the Palmetto State. In 1995, Dr. Stevenson helped start the South Carolina Autism Project, an initiative to uncover the genetic causes of this increasingly common diagnosis. His work on autism continues with a current effort to develop a blood-based autism test. He also possesses a passion and gift for teaching. GGC's Medical Genetics Training Program has educated dozens of M.D. and Ph.D. geneticists who count him as their mentor; and

Whereas, despite his many national and international accolades and prominence in the field, Dr. Stevenson continues to prioritize patient care. He is highly regarded by his patients and their families, not because of awards or publications, but because of his gentle nature and genuine compassion and concern for those he serves; and

Whereas, after relinquishing the role of GGC director in 2011, Dr. Stevenson continued an active clinical practice and is very involved in research. He currently holds the GGC Ravenel Boykin Curry Chair in Genetic Therapeutics. In this role, he oversees the center's treatment initiatives and works toward developing and delivering novel treatments such as gene therapy and gene editing; and

Whereas, the Senate, appreciative of Dr. Stevenson's distinguished career in the field of medical genetics, takes great pleasure in honoring him on this, his latest achievement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Roger E. Stevenson, M.D., co-founder and senior clinical geneticist of Greenwood Genetic Center, on receiving the prestigious American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Foundation David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Roger E. Stevenson, M.D.