UM SOM Translational Genomics Laboratory Receives Accreditation from College of American Pathologists

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Translational Genomics Laboratory (TGL) based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s laboratory director, Linda Jeng, MD, PhD was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. In addition to the TGL director, the quality assurance manager, Danielle Sewell, played an integral role in the accreditation process and successful inspection and the technical supervisor, Nicholas Ambulos, PhD, is instrumental in developing the TGL.

The TGL is one of more than 7,600 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

The TGL is part of the School of Medicine's Program for Personalized and Genomic Medicine (PPGM) and the Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources (CIBR). Alan Shuldiner, MD, the John A. Whitehurst Professor of Medicine and director of the PPGM, established the PPGM to advance discovery in genomics and other “omics” sciences, accelerate translational research, and implement these discoveries into more effective and safe individualized health care.

Nicholas Ambulos, PhD, director of CIBR, established CIBR to provide specialized expertise, cutting-edge technologies and sophisticated scientific resources supporting a robust basic, clinical and translational biomedical research environment at UMBSOM. 

The TGL was developed as a critical bridge to help accelerate translation from discovery into precision health care, providing DNA sequencing, genotyping and array-based technologies. These resources place UMSOM in the extraordinary position of providing its faculty with the comprehensive tools to support genomic studies from discover through implementation into clinical care.

About the College of American Pathologists

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society that serves more than 18,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. 

The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care. More information about the CAP can be found at www.cap.org.