Mental Health Awareness Month: Genomind® Recognizes Psychiatrist Who Made a Difference During Pulse Nightclub Tragedy
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Genomind is recognizing a psychiatrist whose dedication to helping patients went above and beyond.
Dr. Robert Pollack, based in Fort Myers, Fla., is a nationally known leader in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In June 2016, he was shocked by the tragedy of the mass murders that occurred at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
Pollack, understanding that survivors and first-responders would need aid, reached out to Genomind for additional support; the personalized medicine company brings advancements to mental healthcare through genetic testing. It donated to Pollack more than four dozen of its Genecept Assay® test kits for Pulse survivors and first-responders; the test looks at key genes in a patient's DNA that affect how they respond to medication. This may help clinicians understand if a drug may work or cause side effects before it's even taken.
"While there are still some aspects of identifying and treating PTSD that we don't know, there is a lot we do understand and implementing best practices as soon as possible is extremely beneficial," says Pollack. "People dealing with PTSD often don't have the patience to go through a round-robin of trying to figure out which medicines are the best match. That's why this simple genetic testing is so important. It's collected by swabbing the inside of the cheek with a cotton swab. I thank Genomind for this recognition during Mental Health Awareness Month."
"May is a time for all of us to focus on the need for mental health screening and treatment. We know than one in five adults will experience mental illness in our country. That's why we are grateful to partner with clinicians such as Dr. Pollack to provide genetic testing that may help patients get better, faster," says Michael Koffler, Genomind President and CEO.
Genomind recently unveiled an enhanced Genecept Assay; it now covers more than 20 drug classes, 122 medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 18 clinically validated genes and 97 percent of medications used to treat depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder and autism. It also offers comprehensive coverage of pain medications.
About Genomind
Genomind is a personalized medicine company bringing innovation to mental health care through genetic testing. Genomind is comprised of pioneering researchers and thought leaders in psychiatry and neurology and specializes in pharmacogenetic laboratory testing for psychiatry. Genomind is committed to partnering with clinicians to improve their patients' lives. Learn more at www.genomind.com.
About the Genecept Assay
The Genecept Assay is a genetic test designed to help clinicians optimize treatment decisions for their patients with mental illness. It identifies patient-specific genetic markers that indicate which treatments are likely to work as intended, have no effect or cause adverse effects. It is an easily administered cheek swab test that analyzes key genes that have been selected based on hundreds of studies showing that variations in these genes can inform treatment decisions. The Assay is used to guide treatment for a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, schizophrenia, chronic pain and substance abuse, and has been shown in peer-reviewed published studies to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall medical costs. Each Assay provides clinicians with an easy-to-read patient report and a complimentary psychopharmacogenomic consultation. Learn more at www.genomind.com
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kristina Habermann
Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications
Genomind
267-326-2166
[email protected]
Adam Shapiro
ASPR
202-427-3603
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SOURCE Genomind
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