My career has focused on two goals: the development of genomic medicine and the creation of diversity, equity and inclusiveness in academic medicine. I began as a molecualr pathologist, and built my academic career on the development, validation and clinical implementation of molecular tests to enhance the care we provide to patients and to improve patient outcomes. Now, my work is mostly adminstrative within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, looking at the integration of pathology testing and services into the larger healthcare system, and directing the pathology training of the department's residents. On a national front, I am on several committees that are working on policy development to facilitate national progress toward personalized healthcare. As a woman in academic medicine, I faced personal challenges that have enhanced my ability to mentor junior faculty, residents and medical students over the years. Now, as Chief Diversity Officer for Weill Cornell Medical College, I look forward to working with the faculty and adminstration of Weill Cornell to develop an inclusive and supportive environment for a diverse faculty.
Debra G.B. Leonard, MD, PhD, is Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vice Chair for Laboratory Medicine and Director of the Clinical Laboratories in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. As of July 2009, Dr. Leonard is the Chief Diversity Officer for Weill Cornell Medical College and head of the Office of Faculty Diversity in Medicine and Science. She is an expert in molecular diagnostics for genetics, cancers and infectious diseases. She is certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology, and by the American Boards of Pathology and Medical Genetics in Molecular Genetic Pathology. Currently, Dr. Leonard is a member of the Institute of Medicine Round Table on Translating Genomic-based Research into Health, and chair of the Stakeholders Group of the CDC Program on Evaluating Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention. She previously served as a member of the Advisory Committee on Genetics Health and Society to Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt, and is a past President of the Association for Molecular Pathology. She has spoken widely on various molecular pathology test services, the future of molecular diagnostics and the impact of gene patents on molecular pathology practice. She is Editor of two textbooks of molecular pathology and has published numerous journal articles and book chapters.
