June 14, 2023

Sent on behalf of Peng Jin, chair, Department of Human Genetics; J. William Eley, Executive Associate Dean, Medical Education and Student Affairs; and Carlos del Rio, Interim Dean, Emory School of Medicine

Dear colleagues:

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Dr. Cecelia Bellcross. Cecelia joined the Emory faculty in 2010 to develop and direct the new Genetic Counseling Training Program, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2022 and has now graduated more than 100 students.

Read a tribute to Cecelia.

She was a tireless advocate for her students and for the genetic counseling profession. Her leadership and kindness will truly be missed. Our hearts and sympathies are with her family, friends, colleagues and students.

An Emory University memorial is being planned for Cecelia in September; details will be provided on the Genetics Counseling Training Program website and in the SOM Huddle email. Her family requests that instead of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Genetic Counseling Training Program.

Peng Jin, PhD

Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Human Genetics

Chair, Department of Human Genetics

J. William Eley, MD, MPH

Executive Associate Dean, Medical Education and Student Affairs

Professor of Hematology and Oncology

Carlos del Rio, MD

Interim Dean, Emory University School of Medicine
Interim Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare
Leon L. Haley, Jr. MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine