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About Maria Descartes

Maria Descartes, M.D., is a medical genetics physician at Miami Cancer Institute. Dr. Descartes specializes in evaluating patients’ family histories of cancer and providing cancer risk assessments for patients and their families during diagnosis and surveillance. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Prior to joining Miami Cancer Institute in 2021, Dr. Descartes was on staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she was a professor of medical genetics and pediatrics and medical director of genetic counseling from 2008 to 2013. Dr. Descartes’ research has been published in peer-reviewed publications, including The Journal of Pediatric Genetics, The Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, Genetics in Medicine and the American Journal of Medical Genetics. She has served as a reviewer for many publications, including the American Journal of Medical Genetics, The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, the Journal of Pediatric Genetics, the British Medical Journal, WebMD and Clinical Dysmorphology. She has also presented at numerous industry events and conferences. Dr. Descartes’ approach to patient care is to be empathetic and honest with her patients. She is passionate about using genetics to ensure a correct diagnosis, educate, anticipate challenges and create surveillance recommendations. When she is not treating patients, Dr. Descartes enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, supporting animal welfare organizations, hiking and reading.

Positions

2021 - Present Medical Genetics Physician, Baptist Health South Florida ‐ Miami Cancer Institute
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2019 - 2021 Physician, Alabama ‐ Newborn Screening for Inherited Disorders of Metabolism
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2019 - 2021 Medical Director, UAB ‐ Biochemical Laboratory
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2019 - 2021 Medical Director, UAB ‐ Biochemical Genetics Program
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2014 - 2021 Chair, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL ‐ UAB Department of Genetics
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2013 - 2021 Co-Director, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL ‐ UAB Undiagnosed Diseases Program Physician
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2013 - 2021 Director, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL ‐ UAB Bone Dysplasia and Connective Tissue Disorder Clinic for Adults and Children
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2013 - 2021 Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL ‐ Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics
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1991 - 2021 Medical Genetics Physician, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
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1991 - 2021 Medical Genetics Physician, University Hospital, Birmingham, AL
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2008 - 2013 Medical Director of the Genetic Counseling Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham ‐ Department of Genetics, School of Medicine
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1999 - 2013 Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL ‐ Genetics/Pediatrics
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1992 - 1999 Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL ‐ Genetics/Pediatrics
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1991 - 1992 Instructor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
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Disciplines

Grants

2017 - 2017 The Clinical and Economical Burden of Illness of MPS II (Hunter Syndrome) in the United States Chart Review
Shire
2009 - 2009 Bone Dysplasia and Connective Tissue Clinic for Adults and Children
HSF General Endowment Fund
1992 - 2005 Genetic Service Provider to CRS clinics in Huntsville and Anniston, AL
Department of Human Genetics Maternal Fetal Grant
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2005 - Present Member, LSD Society and Registries
1997 - 2021 Mentor, UAB Medical Student Mentorship Program
2006 - 2017 Mentor, Manos Juntas Minority Mentorship Program UAB
2010 - 2014 Research Supervisor, Genetic Counseling Program Student
2009 Board Certification, American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics Medical Metabolic Boards
1995 - 2004 Invited lecturer, UAB First Year Medical Students
1996 Board Certification, American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics Clinical Genetics 1996, 2006
1991 Board Certification, Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
1991 Board Certification, Pediatrics Board Certification 1991, 1998, 2005, 2017
1984 Board Certification, National Board of Medical Examiner
1983 Board Certification, Puerto Rico Board of Medical Examiners
Member, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, American College of Medical Genetics
Member, American Medical Association
Member, American Society of Human Genetics
Member, Diplomatic Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
Member, International Skeletal Dysplasia Group
Member, Junior Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
Member, South Eastern Research Genetic Group
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Honors and Awards

  • 1990 Finalist, Postdoctoral Clinical Category American Society of Human Genetics Student Awards
  • 1988 -1991 Baylor Laboratory Training Program Fellow

Courses

  • 2010-present Genetic basis of skeletal dysplasias GC 501 Genetics in Medicine Genetics physical examination in pediatric patients GC 501 Genetics in Medicine
  • 2007-2009 UASOM Small Groups Facilitator
  • 2007-2013 UASOM Genetic Topics for Medical Students (Elective in Genetics)
  • 2006-present Genetics in Medicine for (PAT 702) Phenotyping Human Disease Course
  • 2005-2009 MGE 715 Human Biochemical Genetics
  • 2005-2006 First Year Medical Students Genetics Course Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico
  • 2004-2006 MGE 700 Human Genetics Course Clinical Correlations LSDs
  • 2001-2003 First Year Medical Students, Medical Physiology, Physiological Genomics, Small Group Sessions
  • 2010-present Genetic basis of skeletal dysplasias GC 501 Genetics in Medicine Genetics physical examination in pediatric patients GC 501 Genetics in Medicine
  • 2010-2011 Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders UASOM Musculoskeletal and Skin Module for 2nd
  • 2011, 2014 Genetics of Skeletal Disorders for Skeletal Development and Disease Course (GBS 715-VT (CRN 56172)
  • 2014-present Metabolic Small Groups Session PCL1110 Fundamentals1 UASOM Exome Sequencing Small Groups Sessions PCL1110 Fundamentals 1 UASOM
  • 2014-present Lysosomal storage disorders MGE 725 Advanced Medical Genetics Course
  • 2019-2020 Medical Biochemical Genetics Program
  • 2011-2018 Course Master for Prenatal Genetics, Embryology and Teratology
  • 1992-1999 731 Human Molecular Genetics
  • 1992-1999 Course Master 731 Human Molecular Genetics, Medical Genetics Graduate Student Courses
  • 1992-1994 Course Master 730 Introduction of Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Medical Genetics Graduate Student Courses

Education

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1988 - 1991 Fellowship in Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
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1985 - 1988 Pediatric Residency, San Juan City Hospital
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1979 - 1983 MD, University of Puerto Rico ‐ School of Medicine
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1977 - 1979 BS Biology, University of Puerto Rico ‐ School of Medicine
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1975 - 1977 AS Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico ‐ Ponce Regional College
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Links

Contact Information

8900 N Kendall Drive
Miami,FL,33176
786-596-2000

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