MU | Features
Dr . Baez-Torres , an associate professor of medicine for 27 years at Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico , traveled far to visit Manchester Pharmacy last spring . He wasn ’ t a visiting professor or speaker . He was joining his classmates in the Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics commencement program .
Clinical Pathologist Axel Baez-Torres , M . D ., MS in PGx ’ 22 , began his career more than 20 years ago at Hospital de La Concepcion , in San German , PR , the oldest hospital in Puerto Rico – established 500 years ago under Spanish colonization .
After graduating from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1990 , he went on to complete a four-year pathology residency program . As an anatomical and clinical pathologist , Baez carefully examines biopsies and tissues removed in surgeries and then looks deeper into the cells through a
“ ... my highest goal is to educate people in all areas of the health care system ...”
microscope . His investigation will diagnose the exact disease or cancer and establish the stage of progression , which are important to tailoring a patient treatment plan .
“ As a pathologist , my main interest has been in cancer and around 2010 , I heard about the first studies regarding targeted therapies in patients with lung and colon cancer ,” said Baez . “ That was the start of the genomic era , and I started reading and taking courses to learn more about genomic medicine and personalized medicine .”
To better understand this new advancement in medicine , Baez sought formal training , earning board certification in molecular diagnostics as a Fellow of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry . The AACC is a global scientific and medical professional organization for clinical laboratory science in health care .
While preparing for his board exam , Baez attended the Association for Molecular Pathology meeting where he remembers hearing for the first time about how pharmacogenomics was being used in Plavix and Warfarin to prescribe the best medicine and dose for patients needing blood thinners .
“ I thought , wow – this is incredible , and no one knows about this ! I fell in love with pharmacogenomics that moment ,” said Baez . “ My interest in pharmacogenomics was in cancer , but then I learned that pharmacogenomics is about everything in health care .”
Returning to Puerto Rico after the meeting , he wanted to educate his colleagues and others in pathology and laboratory medicine about pharmacogenomics . In searching for reference materials , he decided it was time to get a more formal education himself and began searching for pharmacogenomics programs .
“ When I found the master ’ s program offered by Manchester , I saw the advantage of an online program , because I couldn ’ t do it any other way .”
It wasn ’ t easy to start a master ’ s program of study after so many years working , Baez said , but the Manchester PGx program structure gave him the perfect opportunity to work at his own pace , allowing time for work and family .
“ The program was excellent and gave me exactly what I was looking for – to learn more about the science of pharmacogenomics and to get the tools necessary to educate others about applying this science in areas of patient care ,” Baez said .
While visiting Manchester for his graduation activities , he was pleased to finally meet his advisor , David Kisor , Pharm . D ., a professor of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacogenomics and director of pharmacogenomics at Manchester .
“ It was wonderful to meet Dr . Kisor personally and spend an afternoon with him on campus . He took time to give me a tour of the laboratory and introduced me to the Manchester faculty ,” said Baez . “ He ’ s very respected in the in the field of pharmacogenomics – and is also a very nice person .”
Calling himself , “ a believer of pharmacogenomics ” Baez says it ’ s necessary to establish the science behind genes and health as a standard of care in the clinical practice of medicine . The safety and effectiveness of a medication is related to genetics , which eliminates the trial-and-error system of finding which medication is the best choice for a patient .
“ Pharmacogenomics is not a silver bullet , but it ’ s an additional tool for physicians and very important for patients and society as a whole . Many health care systems and insurance plans will reduce their costs of care by giving patients the best medication based on their genetics from the start ,” Baez said .
Envisioning himself as an educator and a stakeholder in the practice of pharmacogenomics , Baez said his goal is to keep working to establish PGx services in his hospital .
“ But my highest goal is to educate people in all areas of the health care system – physicians , administrators and insurance companies . So , I ’ m very grateful to all the faculty in the Manchester PGx Program for the opportunity I was given ,” Baez said , adding – “ I mention Manchester in everything I do and every meeting I lead . I ’ m very , very proud to be an alumnus .” by Linda Homewood
Manchester University | ManchesterRx 17