Florida Institute Hosts Rare Disease Day Symposium

The FSU College of Medicine will host the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases symposium on Friday, Feb. 27.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 7:28am

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The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and the Florida State University College of Medicine will recognize Rare Disease Day this week with a symposium and panel discussion, featuring experts in genomics and its clinical application. The event will include a keynote address, roundtable discussion, and poster presentations of ongoing IPRD-funded research.

Why it matters

Rare Disease Day is a global movement raising awareness for the estimated 300 million people diagnosed with one of more than 6,000 identified rare diseases. This event aims to foster collaboration and innovation to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases through groundbreaking research, education, and strong partnerships.

The details

The symposium will feature a keynote address by Dr. Eric Green, who spent over three decades with the National Human Genome Research Institute and recently joined Illumina as its chief medical officer. A roundtable discussion will include Sarah South, executive scientific director at Quest Diagnostics, as well as FSU President Richard McCullough and Florida Rep. Adam Anderson. Poster presentations of ongoing IPRD-funded research and a reception will follow the event.

  • The symposium will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2026.
  • Rare Disease Day is observed annually on the last day in February.

The players

Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases

An institute focused on fostering collaboration and innovation to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases through groundbreaking research, education, and strong partnerships.

Florida State University College of Medicine

The host of the Rare Disease Day symposium, which is committed to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases.

Dr. Eric Green

A physician-scientist who spent over three decades with the National Human Genome Research Institute, serving as its director from 2009-2025. He recently joined Illumina as its chief medical officer and will deliver the keynote address at the symposium.

Sarah South

The executive scientific director at Quest Diagnostics, who will join the roundtable discussion at the symposium.

Florida Rep. Adam Anderson

The Florida state representative who championed the July 2023 State budget appropriation that established the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases.

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What they’re saying

“We are committed to fostering collaboration and innovation to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases through groundbreaking research, education and strong partnerships.”

— Pradeep Bhide, Director of the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases

“This gathering provides a vital platform for advancing the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.”

— Pradeep Bhide, Director of the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases

What’s next

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The takeaway

This event highlights the importance of raising awareness and fostering collaboration to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases. By bringing together experts in genomics and clinical application, the symposium aims to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of these often overlooked conditions.