Kingsmore Stepping Down from Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine

Rare Daily Staff

Stephen Kingsmore, a pioneer in the clinical use of rapid whole genome sequencing, will retire as president and CEO of Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine at the end of June, according to a letter from Patrick Frias, CEO of Rady Children’s Health, to its board.

Kingsmore posted the letter to his LinkedIn account, saying, “It’s been a super 10 years.”​

He launched Project Baby Bear in 2018, a Medi-Cal-funded pilot that delivered rapid whole genome sequencing to critically ill infants in intensive care to speed diagnosis and guide treatment. In 2022, he introduced BeginNGS, a system that uses genome sequencing as a screening tool for newborns to identify genetic conditions before infants become ill.

His efforts to demonstrate the clinical utility and economic value of rapid whole genome sequencing helped drive broader reimbursement, including Medicaid coverage in multiple states and coverage through Anthem Blue Cross and other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.

“His vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children have inspired us and so many others,” Frias said in the letter.

Photo: Stephen Kingsmore, CEO of Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine​