The physician-cytogeneticist behind the disorder Smith-Magenis syndrome, Dr. Ellen Magenis has contributed significantly to the field of cytogenetics over the 35 years. From her early days of gene mapping to clinical diagnosis to microdeletion syndrome delineation, Dr. Magenis had taken advantage of each technological breakthrough, combined with her clinical acumen, to stay on the cutting edge of cytogenetic research and clinical testing. Born in Gary, Indiana in 1925, Dr. Magenis received her BA in zoology from Indiana University in 1946 and her MD from Indiana University Medical School in 1952. While serving in the role of devoted and nurturing other to her six children, Dr. Magenis completed a residency program in pediatrics at the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health and Science University) and then joined Dr. Fred Hecht for a 3-year fellowship in medical genetics. She became an instructor in the Department of Medical Genetics and the Crippled Children’s Division and quickly rose in rank to full professor in 1980. She is board certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, and in clinical genetics by the American Board of Medical Genetics. A founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics, she served in many editorial boards and had published over 150 papers, 120 abstracts and 20 book chapters. She has served as teacher and mentor to numerous medical students, graduate students, residents and fellows. On the regional level, Dr. Magenis served as Director of the Pacific Northwest Regional Genetics Group Cytogenetics Quality Assurance Committee. Nationally, she has been a member of the Southwest Oncology Group since 1985, serving as Chairman of the Cytogenetics Committee for eleven years, and filled the role of Chairman of the Germ Cell Tumor Cytogenetics Subcommittee, Children’s Cancer Group. Her devotion as advocate for patients and their families is evident locally and nationally by her efforts on the board of PRISMS (National Smith-Magenis Syndrome Association), the Angelman Syndrome Association, the Prader-Willi syndrome association, the Multnomah County Prader-Willi Project Advisory Group and the Prader-Willi Parent Support Group of Oregon. Dr. Magenis is currently contributing her expertise fulltime at Oregon Health and Science University as Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Pediatrics and Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC), Medical Director of Cytogenetics for the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, CDRC. Dr.Magenis is Director of the Chromosome Clinic and a faculty geneticist for the Genetic and Birth Defects Clinic, CDRC, where she is a fully active clinician, continuing her tender patient care.
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