An EKU official is heading a project designed to incorporate the study of human genetics into allied health curriculums in colleges and universities nationwide.

Dr. David Gale, dean of EKU's College of Health Sciences and a human geneticist, was awarded an annually renewable grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to direct the Human Genetics Curricula for the Health Professionals Project.

As project director and representative of the Association of Schools of Health Professions, Gale has assembled a 12-member Allied Health Genetics Team from a variety of allied health professions to study the role of human genetics in the allied health curriculum. The group, which first met Nov. 3-5 in Washington, D.C. and plans two more workshops, will recommend content needed for the practices and education within the allied health sciences.

"Since the initiation of the Human Genome Project in 1990, our understanding of human genes and of the genetic contribution to disease has grown dramatically," Gale said. "It is now well-documented that heritable variations in genes contribute not only to rare conditions, but also to a host of common conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, and many types of cancer.

"As patients ask more questions about genetic tests and disease risk, more responsibility for the use and interpretation of genetic tests and information will fall to primary care physicians, nurses, physical assistants and the allied health professionals who may not be formally trained in genetics," Gale continued. "As the U.S. health care delivery system moves into the 21st century, it is imperative that all of our nation's health professionals have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively integrate new knowledge and technology into practice. This knowledge needs to be integrated into the curricula of the various allied health disciplines and this content referenced in the various national credentialing exams."

The Allied Health Genetics Team includes: Dr. Charles Berlin, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Dr. Tina Colaizzo-Anas, American Dietetics Association; Dr. Mary Lou Galatino, American Physical Therapy Association; Dr. Gail Kauwell, American Dietetics Association-Alliance Program; Dr. Mark Kellogg, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; Jennie Lou, American Occupational Therapy Association;

Dr. Salvatore Martino, American Society of Radiologic Technologists; Dr. Lemmie McNeilly, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Michael Rackover, Association of Physician Assistant Programs; Darlene Saunders, National Society of Allied Health; Dr. Linda Van Scoder, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs-Respiratory Therapy; and Nancy Warren, American Board of Genetic Counseling.

The participants met with Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, who recently was named Scientist of the Year by the National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI). Collins spoke to the group and will continue to serve as a consultant. The meeting was held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the home office of the Human Genome Project.

Gale earned his bachelor's degree at Cascade College, a master's degree at the University of South Dakota and a doctorate at the University of Iowa. He did additional work in human genetics at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

He has served as dean of EKU's College of Health Sciences (formerly College of Allied Health and Nursing) since 1973.

Contact Dr. Gale at 859-622-1523.