Marilyn Crandall Jones '70

Alumnae Achievement Awards 2011

Physician, Geneticist, Healer of Children

Marilyn C. Jones '70 is an award-winning expert in the field of craniofacial anomalies. Since 1979, she has been the Director of the Genetics and Dysmorphology Department at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. She has also served as the Medical Director of the Bernardy Center for Medically Fragile Children as well as the Director of the UCSD Prenatal Diagnosis Center. Her specialty is treating cases of cleft lip and palate. Marilyn is the first physician to be president of the following three important organizations simultaneously: the Western Society for Pediatric Research, American College of Medical Genetics, and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Under her leadership, the American College of Medical Genetics has set standards and practice guidelines for clinical genetics in the U.S. In addition to her outstanding work as a clinician, she has been praised for her high standard of excellence, her ability to collaborate with colleagues and students, her mentorship of trainees and students at all levels, her enthusiasm and hard work. She has played an important role in parent support groups as well. Marilyn also reaches out beyond the patient to improve healthcare for individuals with genetic disorders on a national and international level. Marilyn has traveled to Mexico (often monthly) to provide genetic care for children in remote and underserved communities. She also takes the time to teach others how to provide this care, helping the communities become self-sufficient. Her colleagues also praise her as a role model for merging academic excellence and achievement with personal fulfillment and a balanced life.

Marilyn was an Art History major at Wellesley and then received her M.D. from Columbia University.