New certifications make MMI stronger resource for Nebraska

Two faculty members at the Munroe-Meyer Institute — Lois Starr, M.D., and Jennifer Sanmann, Ph.D. — have passed board certification exams recently that will enhance the unique programs offered through MMI.

Dr. Sanmann, director of the Human Genetics Laboratory, achieved board certification in clinical molecular genetics, and Dr. Starr, medical director of MMI, received board certification in clinical cytogenetics.

The certifications, through the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, make Dr. Starr the only Nebraska physician board-certified in clinical medical genetics and clinical cytogenetics and Dr. Sanmann the only professional to be board-certified in clinical cytogenetics and clinical molecular genetics in the state of Nebraska.

Both Dr. Sanmann and Dr. Starr, who is also board-certified in pediatrics, have called MMI home for more than a decade. They first met as graduate and medical students, respectively, in MMI’s Human Genetic Laboratory, introduced by their mutual mentor, the late Warren Sanger, Ph.D., who died three years ago after running the lab for 40 years.

His vision of an increasingly strong genetics program at MMI to serve Nebraskans and beyond was an exciting challenge for both doctors, they said. They decided to enter genetics fellowships, which would serve as a catalyst for each to pursue additional genetics subspecialties following completion of their primary genetics certifications.

“Dr. Sanger always encouraged a strong interaction between the laboratory and the clinical medical services, so pursuing additional training in laboratory genetics was a natural way to enhance this relationship and to deepen my understanding of the testing methodologies for my patients,” Dr. Starr said.

Working together during the fellowship, Dr. Starr’s medical expertise served as an invaluable resource for Dr. Sanmann as she enhanced her skills in the clinical realm. Likewise, Dr. Sanmann’s strong laboratory background provided Dr. Starr with an inside track in the hows and whys of laboratory work and troubleshooting.

With the new certifications, Drs. Starr and Sanmann continue to advance the clinical and laboratory genetics offered to Nebraskans and beyond and will help fulfill their mentor’s longtime vision to grow the genetic program throughout Nebraska.

“It is an honor and a privilege to deliver cutting-edge genetic services right here in Nebraska and to sustain the reputation that the Human Genetics Laboratory has built across the nation and throughout the world,” Dr. Sanmann said.

“Dr. Sanger’s remarkable vision for laboratory genetics and his commitment to bring these genetics training programs to Nebraska has prepared our organization to meet the rapidly expanding demands for genetic testing in a way that most other academic institutions cannot,” said MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D. “We are proud to provide these services at MMI through our exceptionally-trained genetics faculty.”