Reed Pyeritz, the William Smilow Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, has received the 2023 David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics from the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine. 

Dr. Pyeritz, one of the founders of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), is recognized for his decades of pioneering work on Marfan Syndrome, his commitment to helping patients and their families through outreach and support groups, and his extraordinary contributions to furthering the field of medical genetics—including serving as the second president of ACMG.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Pyeritz has led many of the seminal studies and clinical trials responsible for extending the average lifespan of people with Marfan Syndrome from 40 to 70 years. He has published more than 700 research articles and reviews, helped found the Marfan Foundation, and is the co-editor of the standard textbook in medical genetics, Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

“Reed Pyeritz has been involved with the college since its inception, including serving a term as president,” said ACMG Foundation President Bruce R. Korf. “He is a distinguished physician-scientist, and was a close associate of Dr. Rimoin’s, especially as one of the co-editors of Emery and Rimoin’s Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics. His recognition as this year’s recipient of the Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award is therefore especially poignant and highly deserved.” 

The David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award given by the ACMG Foundation. A committee of past presidents of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics selects the recipient following nominations, which come from the general membership.