Anna C.E. Hurst, MD, MS, FACMG is a recognised figure within the medical world who largely specialises in medical genetics. She offers profound expertise within multiple medical sub fields including pediatrics and clinical genetics, showcasing her versatility within the industry. Dr. Hurst provides genetic diagnostics as a proficient associate professor within the Department of Genetics at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Dr. Hurst has been inspired by her earlier acquired master’s degree in Genetic Counseling which led her on a path to medical school. This led her to integrate her understanding of genetics with patient communication, making her a unique asset within her field. Her interest predominantly lies in offering genetic information to patients and families who suffer from rare diseases, giving them a glimmer of hope and understanding in their medical journeys.
Dr. Hurst provides her expertise through several platforms within the medical industry. One unique role she carries is being the physician for the UAB Undiagnosed Disease program, the Turner syndrome clinic, and the general genetics clinic. She also offers hospital consultations at UAB and Children’s of Alabama aimd at providing solutions for general genetics and inborn errors of metabolism. Aside from her duties within the institution, she also serves as a medical geneticist at the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine in Huntsville, Alabama.
Her contribution also extends to the academic world where she focuses her research on promoting the availability of genomic sequencing for children with complex healthcare needs. She strongly believes in providing insights on how physical examinations and facial features can lead to a rare disease diagnosis. In line with this, she is part of the scientific advisory board of Facial Dysmorphology Novel Analysis. She has also contributed significantly to the medical literature by publishing more than 45 peer-reviewed articles in the field of medical genetics, generally concentrating on the clinical delineation of rare disease phenotypes.
Dr. Hurst’s commitment to education is reflected in her role as the program director of the UAB genetics residency programs including categorical, pediatrics-genetics, and internal medicine-genetics and as the medical director of the UAB Genetic Counseling Training program.
Other than Dr. Hurst, prominent figures in the medical world like Joseph Bennington-Castro have made significant contributions to the field. Serving as an author, Bennington-Castro is a science writer stationed in Hawaii. He has written an extensive number of articles expanding on a varied range of topics, from health, artificial intelligence, animal behavior to astronomy, archaeology, renewable energy, and biomaterials. His work is published in assorted impressive platforms such as Scientific American, National Geographic online, USA Today, Live Science, Space.com, and many others. His expertise lies in simplifying complex scientific knowledge into digestible content for the understanding of general public, resulting in well-informed citizens in areas of their health and other scientific phenomena.
Their work reflects their passion about contributing to the medical world in different yet significant ways. May they continue their excellent work of serving, studying, and communicating to move the world of medicine forward. Health professionals like these two are exactly what we need in our society to pave the way for more medical breakthroughs and better patient care.
