• Dr. Steven J. Melnick’s

CV

Steven J. Melnick’s educational background includes a B.Sc. in Physics and Ph.D. in Chemistry (chemical physics) at McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, M.D. at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and Pathology (Board certified AP/CP) at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach Florida.

Joined the Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories at Miami Children’s Hospital (now Nicklaus Children’s Hospital), a tertiary care exclusively pediatric hospital where he currently serves as Department Chief.  In 2017 he founded and became Medical Director of the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Biobank which supports external and intramural clinical research. Initiated translational research in 1998 focused on cell and molecular biology. He has acquired intellectual property and authored more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

In 2023, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital implemented a comprehensive and fully integrated pharmacogenetics program offering seamless real-time decision support for the assessment of drug-genomic interactions accessible system-wide for all patients.

ABSTRACT

One Test, a Lifetime of Impact: Pre-emptive PGx Testing in Pediatric Care

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is revolutionizing the way we approach medication management, especially in pediatrics, where early intervention can shape a lifetime of health outcomes. This presentation explores the transformative potential of pre-emptive PGx testing in pediatric care, highlighting how a single genetic test panel can inform safer, more effective prescribing from childhood through adulthood.

We will examine the clinical and operational benefits of integrating PGx into pediatric workflows, including reduced adverse drug reactions, improved therapeutic efficacy, and long-term cost savings. Real-world case studies will illustrate how early genetic insights can guide treatment decisions across medical specialties.

Attendees will gain a clear understanding of implementation strategies, ethical considerations, and the evolving evidence base supporting PGx in children. By investing in one test early in life, healthcare systems can deliver personalized medicine that grows with the patient—empowering clinicians, reassuring families, and ultimately improving outcomes.