In this special New Year's episode, host Rome Madison steps into the interviewee chair, sharing the driving force behid his two-decade career in precision medicine with DNA Today Podcast host Kira Deneen. Rome recounts his unexpected entry into the field, and a self-taught pursuit of molecular science that led him to market groundbreaking cancer diagnostics.

Rome's reveals that his passionate mission to expand patient access was birthed when his own father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This coupled with the serendipitous fact that his father's surgeon and the hospital where he received care were also his clients, which ensured his father received the genomic insights few patients got access to at the time. Rome’s father today is a 20-year colorectal cancer survivor, which fuels his relentless fight to eliminate obstacles for people to acces genetic and genomic testing today.

Kira Dineen is a certified genetic counselor the host and executive producer of DNA Today, a weekly podcast that educates and engages listeners about genetics. Kira has produced over 300 episodes of DNA Today, interviewing experts in the field of clinical genetics and has won the Best 2020, 2021, and 2022 Science and Medicine Podcast Awards.

Listen for these powerful takeaways:

• The Power of Personal Experience: Rome's direct involvement in his father's colorectal cancer surgery and genomic testing profoundly solidified his lifelong mission to expand patient access to genetic and genomic testing.
• Persistent Access Barriers: Despite two decades of scientific advancement in precision medicine, significant hurdles such as outdated reimbursement policies, lack of provider awareness, and inherent biases continue to prevent equitable access.

The Imperative of Self-Advocacy: Rome emphasizes that accessible information and patient empowerment are crucial for navigating the complex healthcare system, enabling individuals to advocate for and ultimately receive personalized, genome informed care.

We’re taking a look back at the podcast's remarkable growth and engagement throughout 2025. Nearly 5000 podcast downloads, listeners in 59 countries and counting, and the expanding reach across platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn is helping us to reach more people who need to learn the language of precision medicine and build confidence to be more effective advocates for their healthcare. Rome also unveils exciting new website features designed to make this information more accessible, including a glossary of terms, a list of patient advocacy groups, and an advanced search function to find topics most important to you.

Adding a personal touch, Rome introduces his daughters and podcast contributors, Marloh and Zoi, offering listeners a chance to get to know the family behind the mission, and even includes a brief cameo from their beloved dog, Cyrus. The episode culminates with an inspiring interview featuring former NFL defensive lineman Tony Savage, a male breast cancer survivor and BRCA2 variant carrier, whose powerful story underscores the importance of proactive genetic testing to understand cancer risks. Before the interview, Rome outlines ambitious goals for the podcast's future, aiming to further expand its impact and advocate for greater integration of genetic insights in healthcare:

1. Syndicate Genetics for Healthcare Podcast episodes into Cancer Center Waiting Rooms/Hospital Wards – we want to repurpose our video content, particularly the patient testimonies, to be featured in cancer center waiting rooms and hospital cancer wards. These real-life stories and educational segments can engage, inform, and inspire patients during their healthcare journeys, turning solemn waiting times into opportunities for learning and connection.
2. Advocate for NFL's Crucial Catch Campaign to Include Genetic & Genomic Testing - This initiative would emphasize the importance of hereditary cancer testing, whole genome sequencing, and identifying high-risk variants early to inform proactive screening, prevention strategies, and ultimately, save lives by catching diseases when they are most treatable.

If you have connections within healthcare systems or ideas on how to license or syndicate our episodes AND/OR contacts within the NFL, or experience in large-scale health advocacy campaigns, we'd love to hear from you!

Send us an email at info@geneticsforhealthcare.com or DM us on any of our social medial platforms.

Rome reconnects with Dr Tabari Baker, medical affairs executive and pioneer in the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role. We learn how MSL have become critical connectors to revolutionize patient access to precision medicine. As genetic and genomic testing, particularly NGS, becomes increasingly central to healthcare, MSLs serve as the vital resource to clinicians, translating complex clinical science into practical applications that directly benefit patients.

Discover how Dr. Baker's work and the broader MSL community empower clinicians to interpret and apply the fast-growing title wave of genomic insights, especially as precision medicine expands beyond oncology into areas like cardiology, neurology, and rare diseases.

Dr. Baker also shares invaluable insights and three essential tips for aspiring MSLs, drawing from his dynamic leadership style and passion for medical innovation and health equity. If you're curious about the unsung heroes who fast-track cutting-edge science to the patient's bedside, this episode offers a profound look into their critical role.

META DESCRIPTION

Want to know how patients get the newest gene treatments faster? Dr. Tabari M. Baker explains how Medical Science Liaisons help doctors understand the latest gene science. This includes new tests like NGS testing and precision medicine. MSLs make sure these new precision medicine treatments reach patients more quickly. They work in areas like cancer, heart, and rare diseases. Learn the language and build confidence to advocate for a precision medicine approach to your healthcare! #geneticsforhealthcare