PGx ECHO

PGx Echo logo

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy is proud to host the nation's first Project ECHO program focused on pharmacogenomics-informed clinical treatment.

As a profession, pharmacy is at the beginning stages of readying its current workforce for healthcare guided by pharmacogenomics (PGx). PGx is not yet used clinically in most healthcare organizations, and active integration of PGx into pharmacists' practices is especially a need in rural areas and those primarily caring for underserved groups. To fully realize the potential for PGx, the clinical workforce must have equitable access to training in its use.

About PGx ECHO

PGx ECHO is a collaborative effort of the Hub Site at the University of Minnesota and six Spoke Sites: Children's Minnesota, Ferris State University, M Health Fairview, North Dakota State University, Sanford Health, and South Dakota State University. PGx ECHO aims to address the lack of PGx education and support for implementation across rural and underserved areas in the Midwest; a further goal is to assist other regions of the U.S. in creating their own PGx ECHOs. 

PGx ECHO focuses on improving the confidence of healthcare professionals in the use of PGx in patient care by providing them with education and consultation through telementoring as they incorporate evidence-based PGx information into their clinical practice. PGx ECHO meets monthly and is composed of PGx specialists and healthcare professionals who desire patient consultation, advanced case-based learning and short didactic education in PGx. Current programming is free and open to licensed healthcare professionals involved in direct patient care with a priority for those in rural and underserved areas. To maintain the objective and commercial-free programming of the PGx ECHO, attendees' affiliation must be academic and/or clinical in nature.

The Four Principles of the ECHO Model

  • Use technology to leverage scarce resources
  • Share "best practices" to reduce disparities
  • Apply case-based learning to master complexity
  • Evaluate and monitor outcomes

Program Objectives of PGx ECHO

  • Disseminate PGx knowledge by providing consultation on participants PGx patient cases and recommendations for improving medication outcomes
  • Support participants in building practice-relevant skills and applying PGx knowledge
  • Build a PGx community of practice and collaboratively model practice for PGx guided care delivery
  • Promote health equity by expanding patient access to PGx-guided medication management

PGx ECHO Commitment to Collaboration

In the spirit of collaboration, PGx ECHO is committed to working with community partners. PGx ECHO will:

  1. Offer regular didactic presentations on PGx-related topics.
  2. Offer special curricula and training opportunities on PGx-related topics.
  3. Review patient cases presented by clinicians at partnering clinics and provide timely, written recommendations.
  4. Provide routine, remote IT user support to facilitate connectivity and participation.
  5. Be available, when possible, outside of teleconference times for emergent questions or issues, as necessary.

Interested in joining? pgxecho@umn.edu

Connect with us on Twitter: @pgxecho

View recordings of past didactic presentations on Youtube. Case presentations are not recorded so join our sessions live to participate in the discussion. 

PGx ECHO meets the third Friday of every month at 12:00 PM CT. 

Project ECHO Logo

What is Project ECHO?

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Session Format

PGx ECHO holds monthly, hour-long Zoom sessions PGx ECHO holds monthly, hour-long Zoom sessions comprising an educational mini-lecture or paper, case presentations and discussions. "All teach, all learn" is a foundational element supporting each participant to share and contribute to the sessions and learn through advanced case-based practice. The design of the session facilitates a community of learning and continued engagement.

2025 Schedule

Date of SessionCoordinating InstitutionDidactic Topic and SpeakerCase Presenter(s)
January 17, 2025TBATBATBA
February 21, 2025Essentia HealthTBA | Tyler Stevens, PharmDTyler Stevens, PharmD
March 21, 2025St. Elizabeth HealthcareTBA | Mayeesha Ahmed, PharmDMayeesha Ahmed, PharmD
April 18, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
May 16, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
June 20, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
July 18, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
August 15, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
September 19, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
October 17, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
November 21, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA
December 19, 2025TBATBA | TBATBA

2024 Schedule

Date of Session

Coordinating Institution

Didactic Topic and Speaker

Case Presenter(s)

January 19, 2024

St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Genetics of Drug-Induced QT Prolongation: What to do in the absence of clinical guidelines? | Josiah Allen, PharmD

Josiah Allen, PharmD

February 16, 2024

Sanford Health

Pharmacogenetic Insights into Statin-Induced Rhabdomyolysis | Rebecca Aubart, PharmD

Rebecca Aubart, PharmD

March 15, 2024

University of Michigan / Michigan Medicine

Utilizing Pharmacogenomics in Ambulatory Psychiatry Clinics | Kristen Ward, PharmD

Anna Wu, PharmD + Kristen Ward, PharmD

April 19, 2024

Sanford Health

The Role of Pharmacogenomics in Anti-Seizure Medications: Optimizing Medication Therapy Management in a PGx Clinic | Kristen Jacobsen, PharmD

Kristen Jacobsen, PharmD 

May 17, 2024

University of Minnesota

Potential Escitalopram Related Serotonin Syndrome and Withdrawal | Elizabeth Tran, PharmD + Mark Schneiderhan, PharmD, BCPP

Elizabeth Tran, PharmD + Mark Schneiderhan, PharmD, BCPP

June 21, 2024

Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Factor V Leiden and its Significance for Pharmacogenomics | Yana Vorontsova, PharmD, MBA

Yana Vorontsova, PharmD, MBA

July 19, 2024

Children's Mercy

Clinical Benefits of CYP Inhibitors | Tracy Sandritter, PharmD, BCPPS + Alexa Pagano, MD

Tracy Sandritter, PharmD, BCPPS + Alexa Pagano, MD

August 16, 2024

Sanford Health

Clinical Considerations for A Lesser Known Drug-Gene Interaction: Metoclopramide-CYP2D6 | Jordan Baye, PharmD, MA + Halle Brady, PharmD

Halle Brady, PharmD

September 20, 2024

Minneapolis VA

A Tamoxifen Case and the Implications of CYP2D6 Phenotype | Tessa Kemp, PharmD

Tessa Kemp, PharmD + Martin Stout, PharmD

October 18, 2024

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Behavioral and Pain Pharmacogenomics Testing for Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome | Jenny Nguyen, PharmD, APh, BCPS

Jenny Nguyen, PharmD, APh, BCPS

November 15, 2024

Children's Minnesota

Antipsychotics and CYP2D6 | Courtney Paetznick, PharmD

Courtney Paetznick, PharmD

December 20, 2024

No session due to holiday

N/A

N/A

2023 Schedule

Date of SessionCoordinating InstitutionDidactic Topic and SpeakerCase Presenter(s)
January 20, 2023Manchester UniversityPolypharmacy and Deprescribing: Is There a Role for PGx? | Teresa DeLellis, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP    Teresa DeLellis, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
February 17, 2023University of Florida    TPMT / NUDT15 and Mercaptopurine | Kelsey Cook, PharmD, BCPS    Nathan Seligson, PharmD
March 17, 2023Sanford Health  Beyond 2D6: Integrating Complex Histories and External Results into Psychiatric Pharmacogenomic Care | Sarah Mills, PharmD    Sarah Mills, PharmD + Jordan Baye, PharmD, MA
April 21, 2023Nemours Children's Health    Pharmacogenomic Testing in a Pediatric Patient with Perioperative Methadone Toxicity | Benjamin Duong, PharmD   Benjamin Duong, PharmD
May 19, 2023NorthShore University Hospital    Challenges in RYR1 Implementation for Assessing Risk of Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility | Dyson Wake, PharmD    Dyson Wake, PharmD 
June 16, 2023Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center    A Case of Risperidone-Induced Hyperprolactinemia in a Child with Fragile X Syndrome | Laura Ramsey, PhD    Laura Ramsey, PhD
July 21, 2023Yale New Haven Health    Complex Antiplatelet Management and Challenges with biobank CYP2C19 Return of Results | Rebecca Pulk, PharmD, MS, BCPS    Rebecca Pulk, PharmD, MS, BCPS
August 18, 2023University of Montana    Equitable Pharmacogenomic Implementation in Underserved Populations | Shayna Killam, PharmD, MS + Jade Bosic-Reiniger, PharmD, MPH, MPAJade Bosic-Reiniger, PharmD, MPH, MPA
September 15, 2023MedStar Health  Incorporating phenoconversion and a multigene panel into patient care: a discussion of PGx-ACT, a randomized controlled trial | D. Max Smith, BCPS, PharmD    D. Max Smith, BCPS, PharmD
October 20, 2023Atrium Health    PGx and Serotonin Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient | Grace Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS    Andrea Dobbs, MS + Grace Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS
November 17. 2023University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences    Pharmacogenomics Complicated by Post-Covid | Yee Ming Lee, PharmD, BCPS, ABCP + Aracely Sosa, BS Aracely Sosa, BS + Yee Ming Lee, PharmD, BCPS, ABCP
December 15, 2023     Mayo ClinicDapsone Dilemma: Unmasking G6PD Deficiency in Transplantation - A strategic approach to testing and treatment | Razan El Melik, PharmD, RPhAlexander McCarthy, PharmD, MS + Razan El Melik, PharmD, RPh

2022 Schedule

Date of SessionCoordinating InstitutionDidactic Topic and SpeakerCase Presenter(s)
January 21, 2022Children's MinnesotaPharmacogenomic Testing and Atomoxetine | David Gregornik, BA, BS, PharmDCourtney Paetznick, PharmD; David Gregornik, BA, BS, PharmD
February 18, 2022Mayo ClinicPharmacogenetic Considerations in a Patient with Treatment-Resistant Depression | Dimple Dhakal, PharmD, MSDimple Dhakal, PharmD, MS; Eric T. Matey, PharmD, MBA
March 18, 2022Ferris State UniversityDPYD and Capecitabine: Direction Pharmacogenomic Decisions | Samuel Snowaert, BS, PharmD, MBAMaja Hill, PharmD; Claire Saadeh, BS, PharmD; David Bright, PharmD, MBA
April 15, 2022University of MinnesotaLegislative Update | Pamala Jacobson, PharmD, FCCPSue Paul, BS
May 20, 2022University of MinnesotaIntroduction to Phenoconversion and Assessment Tools | Jeffrey Bishop, PharmD, MS, BCPP, FCCPMark Schneiderhan, PharmD, BCPP
June 17, 2022Sanford Health / SDSUCYP2C19-Clopidogrel Interactions in the Neurovascular Setting | Jordan Baye, PharmD, MASamantha Frear, PharmD; Jordan Baye, PharmD, MA
July 15, 2022University of MinnesotaCPIC Guideline Development | Jeffrey Bishop, PharmD, MS, BCPP, FCCPMark Schneiderhan, PharmD, BCPP
August 19, 2022Cleveland ClinicPharmacogenomics and Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms (SAMS) | Jennifer Hockings, PharmD, PhD; Alexsandra Nilges, PharmD, MBAAlexsandra Nilges, PharmD, MBA
September 16, 2022MHealth FairviewPharmacogenomics and Voriconazole in a Pediatric Patient | Susie Long, PharmD; Nicole Louden, PharmD, BCPPSNicole Louden, PharmD, BCPPS; Susie Long, PharmD
October 21, 2022SUNY Upstate Medical UniversityPharmacogenomics in a Patient with Epilepsy | Danielle DelVecchio, PharmD, BCPSKaren Albright, PhD, DO, MPH
November 18, 2022Children's MinnesotaPharmacogenomics in a Pediatric Patient with ADHD | David Gregornik, BA, BS, PharmDCourtney Paetznick, PharmD; David Gregornik, BA, BS, PharmD
December 16, 2022Mayo ClinicCYP3A Genetics + Itraconazole | Jessica Wright, PharmD, RPh, BCACPSerena Mitaly, PharmD +Jessica Wright, PharmD, RPh, BCACP

2021 Schedule

Date of SessionCoordinating InstitutionDidactic Topic and SpeakerCase Presenter(s)
October 15, 2021Manchester UniversityUtility of Pharmacogenomics | David Kisor, BS, PharmDJoseph Brown, BS; Thomas Smith, PharmD
November 19, 2021Sanford Health / NDSUPharmacogenomics Clinical Resources | Natasha Petry, PharmDSamantha Frear, PharmD; Natasha Petry, PharmD, MPH
December 17, 2021Sanford Health / SDSUSSRIs and Pharmacogenomics | Jordan Baye, PharmD, MANatalie Sovell, PharmD; Jordan Baye, PharmD, MA

People | Hub Site

Hub Team MemberOrganizationRole
Jeffrey BishopUniversity of MinnesotaECHO Facilitator/Mentor/Subject Matter Expert
Jacob BrownUniversity of MinnesotaECHO Facilitator/Mentor/Subject Matter Expert
Pamala JacobsonUniversity of MinnesotaECHO Facilitator/Mentor/Subject Matter Expert
Alyssa JohnsonUniversity of MinnesotaECHO Program Coordinator/IT Support
David StenehjemUniversity of MinnesotaECHO Facilitator/Mentor/Subject Matter Expert
Lindsay SorgeUniversity of MinnesotaECHO Project Manager

People | Spoke Sites

Spoke LeadOrganizationRole
Jordan BayeSanford Health/South Dakota State UniversityMentor/Subject Matter Expert
David BrightFerris State University and affiliatesMentor/Subject Matter Expert
David GregornikChildren’s MinnesotaMentor/Subject Matter Expert
Natasha PetrySanford Health/North Dakota State University Mentor/Subject Matter Expert
Susie LongM Health Fairview, MinneapolisMentor/Subject Matter Expert