tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30527916303356629752024-03-22T09:58:31.423-07:00University of Pittsburgh Genetic Counseling ProgramPitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-17067745585762992812024-03-20T12:28:00.000-07:002024-03-20T12:28:45.649-07:0010 Lessons I’ve Learned So Far in Graduate School - Gabrielle Gauldin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyJ1RC6dW-MprZ9AlqjClFv4zloQTZtyjlt6wfBICuyBmAVd77xfTdiNdVZnuksDTbMciwWpmNLUMwZin_Lshr0O3sWNZdZKGCOTwJG8bNxrThDB7EoKVM_lTY-BjjfMLZQsDZFAmVtT4DXsSobwXhyJGQD94vxNfKGNkJ5SkkiEuRirt4Gtf8E68LzBB/s754/Gauldin.Gabrielle3-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="637" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyJ1RC6dW-MprZ9AlqjClFv4zloQTZtyjlt6wfBICuyBmAVd77xfTdiNdVZnuksDTbMciwWpmNLUMwZin_Lshr0O3sWNZdZKGCOTwJG8bNxrThDB7EoKVM_lTY-BjjfMLZQsDZFAmVtT4DXsSobwXhyJGQD94vxNfKGNkJ5SkkiEuRirt4Gtf8E68LzBB/w187-h222/Gauldin.Gabrielle3-1.png" width="187" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Starting graduate school can introduce a
whirlwind of emotions, including nervousness, excitement, fear, and everything
in between. It signifies a significant milestone of achievement and personal
growth. Leading up to the start of grad school, we often form expectations
about what our journey may look like, and here, I share ten things that I’ve
learned since starting in the genetic counseling program in the fall.</span></span></p>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Your cohort will become family</span></span></li></ol><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">Leaving
home might feel challenging, but the people you expected to be mere classmates
will quickly become your #1 support system. This unique bond we formed as a
cohort not only eased the transition moving to a new state and starting
graduate school but has made it truly special.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Your perspectives will be challenged, and this is a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">Your
perspectives will undoubtedly be challenged in this time of change, and that's
healthy. Genetic counseling is a field that is constantly evolving. Embrace the
opportunity to learn from peers, professors, and patients, knowing that your
views will grow along the way.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Time management may look different. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div style="background: white; border: none #E3E3E3 1.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; mso-border-alt: none #E3E3E3 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; margin-left: .25in; mso-border-alt: none #E3E3E3 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #E3E3E3; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">Effective time management is a crucial skill in graduate
school, and it's never too late to develop good habits. Graduate school may
require a different approach than undergrad, with added responsibilities both
in and out of the classroom. Learning to prioritize according to your needs and
lifestyle is key. It’s equally as important to recognize when to step back and
take a break.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Experiencing a sense of identity loss may happen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">During my
undergraduate years, I had multiple outlets and activities that helped to shape
my identity. However, upon transitioning to grad school, I felt disconnected
from that sense of self I had created over the previous four years. It's
important to take the time to rediscover what brings fulfillment and restores
that sense of identity for you.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A positive attitude is essential. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">While
every day might not be easy, knowing you're actively pursuing your goals can be
a powerful motivator</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">. Remember, you’re one step closer to
becoming a genetic counselor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s a time to collaborate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">You're no
longer competing for spots in the program; instead, you're working alongside
future colleagues. Grad school is a time to embrace the opportunity to learn
from and support each other.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Listen to advice, but don’t forget to trust yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">While
guidance from others can be helpful, remember that ultimately, you know what's
best for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just because you’re a grad student doesn’t mean you can’t get
involved in campus life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">When applying to
genetic counseling programs, I really valued schools that had a vibrant
undergraduate community. <span style="color: #0d0d0d;">Being a grad student
doesn't mean you have to miss out on the campus life. Whether it's through work
positions, attending events, or joining activities, there are plenty of
opportunities to connect with students in different disciplines.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s time to let go of being perfectionists when it comes to grades.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Hearing from program
leadership that grades don’t matter can be a difficult thing to convince
yourself of. <span style="color: #0d0d0d;">Focus on learning for the sake of
helping future patients, rather than fixating on what score you’ll earn.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone’s journey to genetic counseling school looks different,
and it should be celebrated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 115%;">In our
genetic counseling program, every student’s journey leading up to grad school
is uniquely their own, which brings a variety of experiences and perspectives
to our cohort. By embracing our differences, we create a positive learning
environment where we can all learn from each other's strengths and grow
together. </span></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-63302685508597291642024-03-05T18:25:00.000-08:002024-03-05T18:25:21.618-08:00The Grad School Rollercoaster: Navigating Rejections and Celebrating Success - Courtney McGuire<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cnCxEQ1IsZqTPRZPjC0FghyQdehM-o5Fwj-p429YsfPQTl7RyChI81B2lfeKO_fzS-kw9wGpr8wHKXWv0ouq0CPaGe9_b40i66EyiNHU3Mswq5aZxreiMuZyI4NA2x421zKRYtAGSlzKUL1kVnZmzMsv19WN-VqWAD8z-MqSXdGsmz_ymjv98tL2Ejcq/s2208/McGuire.Courtney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1242" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cnCxEQ1IsZqTPRZPjC0FghyQdehM-o5Fwj-p429YsfPQTl7RyChI81B2lfeKO_fzS-kw9wGpr8wHKXWv0ouq0CPaGe9_b40i66EyiNHU3Mswq5aZxreiMuZyI4NA2x421zKRYtAGSlzKUL1kVnZmzMsv19WN-VqWAD8z-MqSXdGsmz_ymjv98tL2Ejcq/w149-h265/McGuire.Courtney.jpg" width="149" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you’ve gone through the application process
for GC school, you’ll know the rollercoaster of stress and emotions that
everyone experiences. From gaining advocacy experience and checking off
pre-req’s, to putting the final touches on your application materials, it can
feel like you’re running a marathon for months on end. As someone who applied
multiple cycles, I can share I did not find the process any less exhausting the
second time even though I had a better idea of what to expect and how to
prepare.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After not matching the first cycle I applied, I
was devastated. I had spent so much time and energy applying to schools,
connecting with program leadership and current students, and writing and
re-writing my personal statements and CV. I had been assured by numerous
professionals in my life I had developed a strong application which made it
that much harder to accept I hadn’t matched.<br /></span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have always been a problem-solver and tend to
push my feelings to the back burner. While my initial instinct was to formulate
a plan for the next application cycle, I also recognized I would have to deal
with my disappointment before it grew into additional anxiety about the next
application cycle.<br /></span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taking the year between application cycles to
get as much exposure to genetic counseling as possible allowed me to better
articulate how sure I was (and still am) that this is the best career path for
me. I was more confident writing my personal statement and answering
application questions the second time around. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;">I was more collected in
interviews, feeling I was better able to express my personality and desires to
program leadership. I was definitely still nervous about matching, but I was
much more confident than the first cycle I applied.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Match Day came and I learned I had matched
at Pitt, I cried. I called my husband, my mom, and ran around my dad’s shop
letting everyone know. I was ecstatic, even if a bit overwhelmed. After almost
two years of preparation, I would get to go to school for my dream career.<br /></span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There’s no way around it - getting rejected
sucks… But there’s always something to learn. Knowing my classmates as well as
I do now, I believe these are the people I was meant to go on this journey
with, and as hard as not matching was the first time around, I could not be
more grateful to be here now.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me, navigating rejection is broken down into
a few steps. Take the time to experience your feelings - it’s ok to be upset,
sad, and even angry. Just don’t stop there; let your feelings fuel your desire
to move on, however you choose to. Whether it’s applying a second time, taking
a gap year to relax and explore, or moving on to something else, there’s always
something to take away from a failure. Remind yourself why you’re doing this.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from the people who know you best.
You are important and skilled and worthy; you just have to figure out how to
showcase that to others. Enjoy the journey - it makes the success that much
sweeter.</span></div>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-26642481069799169382024-02-21T18:51:00.000-08:002024-02-21T18:51:52.988-08:00AI's Rare Disease Odyssey - Swathi Balaji<p><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLjN3rHnre1_cjbKt8UrAjjtCGRaRigMY5klgEUULbzhcpFfX4UkFA0pYHbUQpJ2R06R-eUusf3H7nznwCqHiZCgA1se-kPO5pmBrzGirf558mfTAxOFl9Wdwcl1mZoGwR5b6EXMvTK7py-a6gznEFOipLmsgP7Aqx17lHlOXH5AZVwjkA4fACjTK_-gys" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="732" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLjN3rHnre1_cjbKt8UrAjjtCGRaRigMY5klgEUULbzhcpFfX4UkFA0pYHbUQpJ2R06R-eUusf3H7nznwCqHiZCgA1se-kPO5pmBrzGirf558mfTAxOFl9Wdwcl1mZoGwR5b6EXMvTK7py-a6gznEFOipLmsgP7Aqx17lHlOXH5AZVwjkA4fACjTK_-gys=w356-h207" width="356" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Note: The author utilized
Midjourney, a generative AI program, to generate the above image from natural
language descriptions.</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In
honor of Rare Disease Day (February 29, 2024) this month, welcome to the
rollercoaster of medical mysteries, where patients embark on a journey fraught
with uncertainty—the "diagnostic odyssey." For those facing rare
diseases, the road to an accurate diagnosis can be a years-long saga, filled
with countless doctor visits, unnecessary tests, and, unfortunately, often a
misdiagnosis. This protracted timeline not only results in ineffective care but
also leads to irreversible damage as the disease progresses. It's like a
medical scavenger hunt, but the stakes are far from trivial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Navigating Uncharted Territories</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the United States, diseases
affecting less than 200,000 Americans are classified as rare, encompassing over
6,000 conditions worldwide <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION
{"citationID":"GpGViQjF","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Cohen
& Felix, 2014)","plainCitation":"(Cohen & Felix,
2014)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":19,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/dG4iQuCQ/items/SNN5349Z"],"itemData":{"id":19,"type":"article-journal","container-title":"Journal
of Market Access & Health
Policy","DOI":"10.3402/jmahp.v2.23513","ISSN":"2001-6689","issue":"1","journalAbbreviation":"Journal
of Market Access & Health
Policy","language":"en","page":"23513","source":"DOI.org
(Crossref)","title":"Are payers treating orphan drugs
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<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]-->(Cohen
& Felix, 2014)<!--[if supportFields]><span style='color:black;
mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->. These diseases, often chronic and
disabling, pose a significant public health challenge. According to the
National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD), the average diagnostic journey
for rare diseases spans 5-7 years <!--[if supportFields]><span
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<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]-->(<i>NORD Undiagnosed Rare Diseases
Registry | NORD</i>, 2022)<!--[if supportFields]><span style='color:
black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->. This prolonged process not only
delays treatment initiation but also inflicts considerable psychological
distress on patients and their families. Living with a rare disease often
subjects the patient to a lifetime of complex care, profoundly affecting their
education, physical mobility, and financial stability.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Patients often find themselves on a
"diagnostic odyssey," a term reflecting the feeling that no single
practitioner comprehensively considers their condition. <span style="background: white;">The current workflow for providers is to </span>take a medical/family
history, perform a physical exam, order laboratory tests, conduct imaging tests
if needed, and then refer the patient to a specialist. The similarity of rare
diseases to other conditions, combined with the no one-size-fits-all approach
to diagnosing rare diseases, contributes to diagnostic delays or <span style="background: white;">misdiagnosis.</span> Even good doctors fail to
recognize conditions that are right in front of them. The consequence of an
early or late diagnosis can lead to <span style="background: white;">worsened
symptoms along with the development of other health problems, ultimately
resulting in a decline in patient well‐being. These challenges not only affect
more than 350 million people worldwide but also create a substantial economic
burden on the healthcare system. </span>The overarching need for a solution is
clear: a way to streamline the rare disease diagnostic odyssey and support
healthcare providers in their quest for accurate and timely diagnoses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Is Artificial Intelligence a Buzzword?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Genomic technologies are technologies
used to manipulate and analyze genetic information. The diagnostic landscape
has evolved from using cytogenetic techniques using FISH and Karyotype, gene
sequencing, and DNA microarrays which are still used in today’s practice. These
are powerful tools that providers such as genetic counselors use to convey
accurate diagnosis for patients and their families. This could help patients
take the best medications and treatments for their disease indications.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: white;">While genetic
research has come a long way since its original discovery, there is still room
for more advancements and developments. </span>However, focusing solely on genetic tools isn't enough if
providers across different healthcare systems or countries cannot standardize
rare disease findings. The collaborative sharing of sequencing data among
clinicians, patients, and organizations is essential to build a robust
worldwide network and raise awareness about rare diseases. For providers to
practice at the top of their scope and avoid timely case-prep, it is vital to
have a searchable or conversational platform to streamline the diagnosis
process.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">GeneMatcher is
a freely accessible web site developed with support from the Baylor-Hopkins
Center for Mendelian Genomics as part of the Centers for Mendelian Genomics
network. It was designed to connect patients, their families, clinicians and
researchers from around the world who share an interest in similar genes. The
goal for making GeneMatcher available was to help solve “unsolved” exomes <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION
{"citationID":"djCq5NlW","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Sobreira
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a freely accessible Web-based tool developed as part of the Baylor-Hopkins
Center for Mendelian Genomics. We created GeneMatcher with the goal of
identifying additional individuals with rare phenotypes who had variants in the
same candidate disease gene. We also wanted to facilitate connections to basic
scientists working on orthologous genes in model systems with the goal of
connecting their work to human Mendelian phenotypes. Meeting these goals will
enhance the identification of novel Mendelian genes. Launched in September,
2013, GeneMatcher now has 2,178 candidate genes from 486 submitters spread across
38 countries entered in the database (June 1, 2015). GeneMatcher is also part
of the Matchmaker Exchange (http://matchmakerexchange.org/) with an Application
Programing Interface enabling submitters to query other databases of genetic
variants and phenotypes without having to create accounts and data entries in
multiple systems.","container-title":"Human
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<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]-->(Sobreira
et al., 2015)<!--[if supportFields]><span style='color:black;
mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->. This is done through cases from
research and clinical sources.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While this platform has made significant
strides in connecting patients, providers, and researchers worldwide, there is
still room for improvement to make the process of searching for relevant
information more streamlined. Artificial intelligence (AI) enables machines to
perform operations requiring human intelligence, encompassing learning, while
analyzing vast amounts of information to identify trends and make decisions
with unprecedented speed and precision, emulating human intelligence <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION
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It also has demonstrated potential in improving the efficiency of diagnosis and
treatment. Some types of AI, such as machine learning, allow for the efficient
analysis of vast datasets, identifying patterns, and generating key insights.
Predictions can then be made for medical diagnosis and personalized treatment
recommendations. The use of AI can bypass some conventional limitations
associated with rare diseases. Namely, it can optimize traditional randomized
control trials, and may eventually reduce costs for drug research and
development. Recent advancements have enabled researchers to train models based
on large datasets and then fine‐tune these models on smaller datasets typically
associated with rare diseases. In this mini‐review, we discuss recent
advancements in AI and how AI can be applied to streamline rare disease
diagnosis and optimize treatment.","container-title":"Clinical
and Translational
Science","DOI":"10.1111/cts.13619","ISSN":"1752-8054","issue":"11","journalAbbreviation":"Clin
Transl Sci","note":"PMID: 37646577\nPMCID:
PMC10651639","page":"2106-2111","source":"PubMed
Central","title":"Artificial intelligence in rare disease
diagnosis and
treatment","volume":"16","author":[{"family":"Wojtara","given":"Magda"},{"family":"Rana","given":"Emaan"},{"family":"Rahman","given":"Taibia"},{"family":"Khanna","given":"Palak"},{"family":"Singh","given":"Heshwin"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2023",8,30]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"}
<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]-->(Wojtara et
al., 2023)<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->. AI
has the potential to revolutionize the diagnostic process by enabling doctors
to analyze extensive datasets, including medical images, genetic data, and
electronic health records, identifying intricate patterns difficult for humans
to discern, ultimately offering an efficient solution for providers and
shortening the diagnostic journey for patients.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leveraging AI opens the door for healthcare
providers to crowdsource crucial differentials specific to rare diseases,
encompassing phenotypic characterization, specific biomarkers, historical data,
pathology reports, and other factors, considering the inherent heterogeneity in
the presentation of these conditions. Within the realm of AI, machine learning
(ML) serves as a subset that aids diagnosis through various algorithms,
including pattern identification and classification based on past examples.
Given that 80% of rare diseases are genetic, AI holds significant potential in
analyzing data to provide accurate diagnoses <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
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style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION
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n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":31,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/dG4iQuCQ/items/RN6CNTHQ"],"itemData":{"id":31,"type":"webpage","abstract":"Genomics
is ending diagnostic odysseys for patients with rare
diseases.","language":"en","title":"Rare
Genetic Diseases","URL":"https://www.genome.gov/dna-day/15-ways/rare-genetic-diseases","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2024",1,30]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"}
<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]-->(<i>Rare Genetic Diseases</i>, n.d.)<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->. By constructing an ML algorithm, individual
cases become puzzle pieces systematically pooled to create a comprehensive population-based
dataset. AI then meticulously analyzes patterns within populations that share similar
differentials, offering guidance to decode the diagnostic puzzle of rare
diseases. An additional asset of AI, natural language processing (NLP), adds
predictive analysis capabilities, particularly beneficial when extracting
critical data from electronic health records <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION
{"citationID":"MjjmH5Zh","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Wojtara
et al., 2023)","plainCitation":"(Wojtara et al., 2023)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":26,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/dG4iQuCQ/items/M672MGCP"],"itemData":{"id":26,"type":"article-journal","abstract":"Artificial
intelligence (AI) utilization in health care has grown over the past few years.
It also has demonstrated potential in improving the efficiency of diagnosis and
treatment. Some types of AI, such as machine learning, allow for the efficient
analysis of vast datasets, identifying patterns, and generating key insights.
Predictions can then be made for medical diagnosis and personalized treatment
recommendations. The use of AI can bypass some conventional limitations
associated with rare diseases. Namely, it can optimize traditional randomized
control trials, and may eventually reduce costs for drug research and
development. Recent advancements have enabled researchers to train models based
on large datasets and then fine‐tune these models on smaller datasets typically
associated with rare diseases. In this mini‐review, we discuss recent
advancements in AI and how AI can be applied to streamline rare disease
diagnosis and optimize treatment.","container-title":"Clinical
and Translational
Science","DOI":"10.1111/cts.13619","ISSN":"1752-8054","issue":"11","journalAbbreviation":"Clin
Transl Sci","note":"PMID: 37646577\nPMCID:
PMC10651639","page":"2106-2111","source":"PubMed
Central","title":"Artificial intelligence in rare disease
diagnosis and
treatment","volume":"16","author":[{"family":"Wojtara","given":"Magda"},{"family":"Rana","given":"Emaan"},{"family":"Rahman","given":"Taibia"},{"family":"Khanna","given":"Palak"},{"family":"Singh","given":"Heshwin"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2023",8,30]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"}
<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]-->(Wojtara et
al., 2023)<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->. The overarching objective of using AI
in genetic healthcare is to decode the diagnostic journey for individuals
grappling with rare diseases, ultimately delivering the sought-after answers to
patients through the systematic utilization of crowdsourced data and advanced
AI analysis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's Only The Beginning <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Embracing the transformative potential of AI
in the rare disease diagnostic landscape not only enhances diagnostic
efficiency for providers and offers hope to patients on their diagnostic
odysseys but also symbolizes a significant journey for AI itself— an odyssey
into the uncharted territories of rare diseases. The fusion of technology and
compassion emerges as a powerful catalyst capable of positively reshaping the
trajectory of medical diagnoses for rare diseases. The collaborative synergy of
AI and crowdsourced data not only enriches our comprehension of individual rare
diseases but also unfurls avenues for discerning shared patterns across diverse
populations. This data-driven approach holds the key to decoding the diagnostic
odyssey for individuals grappling with the complexities of rare diseases,
providing a much-needed ray of hope for more accurate and timely diagnoses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">References</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoBibliography"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:
Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span></span><span style='color:black;
mso-themecolor:text1'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL
{"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]}
CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY </span><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cohen, J. P., & Felix, A. (2014).
Are payers treating orphan drugs differently? <i>Journal of Market Access &
Health Policy</i>, <i>2</i>(1), 23513. https://doi.org/10.3402/jmahp.v2.23513</span></p>
<p class="MsoBibliography"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>NORD
Undiagnosed Rare Diseases Registry | NORD</i>. (2022, August 5).
https://rarediseases.org/living-with-a-rare-disease/nord-undiagnosed-rare-diseases-registry/</span></p>
<p class="MsoBibliography"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Rare
Genetic Diseases</i>.
(n.d.). Retrieved January 30, 2024, from
https://www.genome.gov/dna-day/15-ways/rare-genetic-diseases</span></p>
<p class="MsoBibliography"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sobreira,
N., Schiettecatte, F., Valle, D., & Hamosh, A. (2015). GeneMatcher: A
matching tool for connecting investigators with an interest in the same gene. <i>Human
Mutation</i>, <i>36</i>(10), 928–930. https://doi.org/10.1002/humu.22844</span></p>
<p class="MsoBibliography"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wojtara,
M., Rana, E., Rahman, T., Khanna, P., & Singh, H. (2023). Artificial
intelligence in rare disease diagnosis and treatment. <i>Clinical and
Translational Science</i>, <i>16</i>(11), 2106–2111.
https://doi.org/10.1111/cts.13619</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-themecolor:text1;
mso-font-kerning:0pt;mso-ligatures:none;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-23246075092188880182024-02-01T05:57:00.000-08:002024-02-01T05:57:14.206-08:00Show, Don't Tell: Empathy in Practice - Alex Stauff<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AlIqlPr6FmcG35f_oQEp94U_5hWTojV7vOU4-Z3vHHzj4_Dj8itt1Y2JQFlH4S6LVo_2lGioa5ahuauVoKcusl8FLWATmSdTvN-G_mjuKUIsXHUOcCRNKX7mTOPt-3dR-OoPMZx4PPPR2uV0rrmcpbYm_1djob9WW96TRIrcrGBJ7OOqObwZVTMBOIIh/s1301/Stauff.Alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="914" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AlIqlPr6FmcG35f_oQEp94U_5hWTojV7vOU4-Z3vHHzj4_Dj8itt1Y2JQFlH4S6LVo_2lGioa5ahuauVoKcusl8FLWATmSdTvN-G_mjuKUIsXHUOcCRNKX7mTOPt-3dR-OoPMZx4PPPR2uV0rrmcpbYm_1djob9WW96TRIrcrGBJ7OOqObwZVTMBOIIh/w174-h247/Stauff.Alex.jpg" width="174" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many of the skills I learned as a resident assistant (RA)
have been helpful so far in grad school. A lesson that has really stuck with me
came from a three minute video (link below) we watched during one of our summer training sessions. It was an
animated short on empathy, with delightful anthropomorphic animals and a
voiceover by Brené Brown.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In her words, “Rarely can a response make something better.
What makes something better is connection.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This little clip assuaged so much of the anxiety I had about
supporting students through a difficult time. Fears like—what if I say the
wrong thing? What if the other person can’t tell that I genuinely care? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Words certainly matter, especially in a field like genetic
counseling, where precision in language is critical. But without connection,
words roll off like rain. There’s nothing anchoring them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To me, connection means first and foremost: <i>presence</i>.
This feels like an achievable starting point, requiring nothing more than
focusing on the person in front of you. No matter how a conversation unfolds, I
can be present. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Vellody, director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western
PA, gave a really beautiful example of emotionally responsive communication in
a lecture to first year students last semester. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We asked for advice about disclosing a Down syndrome diagnosis
in the prenatal setting. I think many of my classmates and I were getting hung
up on choosing the right words. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Dr. Vellody’s focus didn’t start with the words. He
said, provide the diagnosis, and then wait for an emotion to come up. Validate
it. Wait for another emotion … validate it …. And keep doing this until a
person is ready to talk about anything other than how they feel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I started my position as a GCA at Magee-Womens
Hospital, I was able to sit in on weekly case conferences. This was a really
helpful way to “peek behind the curtain” and start getting a feel for clinical
and psychosocial considerations before I applied to school. I remember one
particular situation a student shared, and the advice she got … <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This student and her supervisor recently saw a patient who was
newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The patient was extremely upset throughout
the session and finally burst out at the student, “Have YOU ever had cancer?!
Has anyone in your <i>family</i> even had cancer? Then, how can you have ANY
idea what you’re talking about?” The student was distraught and had been at a
loss for what to say – she posed the question to the group. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Truthfully, I was glad to be a fly on the wall during the
discussion. It feels awful when someone’s anger feels—fairly or unfairly –
directed at us. It can be so easy to slip into deflections and
defensiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A seasoned nurse navigator gave advice that immediately
reminded me of that short video I love so much. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She said, “You’re young, but I bet you’ve felt fear, or
grief. And if you haven’t – you will. Those are likely some of the emotions
underlying this woman’s anger. Acknowledge them and connect to those.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m planning to keep that invitation to
vulnerability and openness at the front of my mind as I prepare for patient
simulations later this semester, and oh-so-quickly approaching rotations this
summer.</span></span><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Video: </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw</span></div>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-28751853077577211212024-01-24T16:34:00.000-08:002024-01-24T16:34:09.844-08:00Dr. Colleen Campbell Leadership Seminar Reflections<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE5UWmOHBOjm3z16kU849qBqfsHdzClCZJ0KXmHR8-kY62hyNwb9RqYAktUvSns3MSgb8ulv0V8wm5g79QueDwwcC5Ce7CjtnZ8YrB2zXLykohwjR_srZ9KFEyRg4-l4W2FXn1kqhyphenhyphen21FXNngIQj0pDrsDwst8UGR3TFOKZXhJ7ra7nvSMqfKVcBT1Zmi/s3699/ColleenCampbell.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="3699" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE5UWmOHBOjm3z16kU849qBqfsHdzClCZJ0KXmHR8-kY62hyNwb9RqYAktUvSns3MSgb8ulv0V8wm5g79QueDwwcC5Ce7CjtnZ8YrB2zXLykohwjR_srZ9KFEyRg4-l4W2FXn1kqhyphenhyphen21FXNngIQj0pDrsDwst8UGR3TFOKZXhJ7ra7nvSMqfKVcBT1Zmi/w451-h234/ColleenCampbell.JPEG" width="451" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Dr. Colleen Campbell, a genetic counselor with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and assistant director at the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, spoke to our students and Pitt Public Health faculty on December 1, 2023, as part of our Genetic Counseling Leadership Seminar Series. Below are some student reflections on her presentation: <br /><br />After Dr Colleen Campbell’s insightful presentation, it became apparent that the perceived shortage of genetic counselors in the United States is intricately linked to the uneven distribution of these professionals across states. Dr Campbell pointed out that the total number of genetic counselors may be sufficient, but the geographic dispersion exposes a significant imbalance that poses challenges to health equity. Compared to other patients who enjoy more convenient proximity, the discrepancies become palpable when considering the considerable distances some patients must travel, which can exceed 200 miles, to access crucial care. Dr Campbell’s discussion prompts a deeper reflection on the strategic allocation of genetic counselors across diverse regions. Her emphasis on initiatives like "Charting the Genetic Counseling Landscape: Shaping Public Policy and Advocating for the Future of Genomic Healthcare" underscores the need for collaborative efforts to address and rectify these challenges. After Dr Campbell’s thought-provoking presentation, it becomes crucial to carefully explore strategies ensuring fair access to genetic counseling services. This contemplation seamlessly fits into the wider objectives of advancing genomic healthcare. Dr Campbell’s discussion not only sparked meaningful conversations but also propels future genetic counselors like me to take concrete actions in cultivating a more evenly distributed and accessible framework for genetic counseling services. As I continue my education and enter the workforce, I am inspired to keep this imperative at the forefront of my professional endeavors, advocating for equitable access and contributing to the transformative journey of genomic healthcare. Dr Campbell’s talk has instilled in me a commitment to actively participate in addressing these challenges and working towards a more inclusive and accessible genetic counseling landscape. – Swathi Balaji<br /><br />The Pitt Public Health students were incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Colleen Campbell at our annual GC leadership seminar. I loved learning about how the field of genetic counseling is influenced by politics and legislation, and Dr. Campbell's advocacy work is truly inspiring. She also offered interesting perspectives about healthcare equity in rural areas and steps that GCs can take to address these inequities. This was an incredibly engaging and thought-provoking conversation, and it has certainly left a lasting impression on myself and my classmates. – Emily Hrach<br /><br />Listening to Dr. Campbells presentation was inspiring: she is making huge contributions to the field of Genetic Counseling, not only with her advocacy work, but also modeling how GC skills can be used outside of the clinical care environment to empower professionals and improve access to health care. With the growing need of genomic testing interpretation and patient centered genetic services, there is urgency in updating the licensure, professional status, and reimbursement frameworks for genetic counseling. Dr. Campbell provided a vision to move forward and showed us that if there are limited paths to follow, we can always create new opportunities for change. There is so much work needed to overcome the political hurdles that interfere with more equitable access to genomic healthcare in our country. To start, I signed up to meet with my district’s Representative. I believe that we all can participate in building a better future. – Alejandra Bernal<br /><br />Our training as genetic counselors prepares us to work with patients in various clinical settings. While we regularly discuss aspects of care such as research and clinical trials, empathy, and multidisciplinary care, I did not previously reflect deep into how our counseling skills transfer to public policy. Dr. Campbell elegantly laid out how we can utilize our training in collaborating with lobbyists and legislators to advocate for patients on a larger scale. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Campbell. Her advice and positive outlook make me excited to start my journey as a genetic counselor. – Megan Zieber<br /><br />Whenever someone asks me “what is genetic counseling?” I always describe it as a combination between a doctor, a teacher, and a counselor for genetic conditions. However, Dr. Colleen Campbell's talk emphasized a crucial fourth role that a genetic counselor can take on: an advocate. Furthermore, Dr. Campbell shared how genetic counselors are not only amazing political advocates because of their deep understanding of genetics and patient psychosocial experiences, but also because many of the skills developed as a genetic counselor are important in political advocacy. After hearing her talk I feel I have a deeper understanding of the potential roles and applications of genetic counseling and am even interested in taking part in advocacy myself after I graduate. Thank you, Dr. Campbell, for your inspiring work and presentation! – Jennifer Reif<br /><br />Dr. Campbell was so personable and knowledgeable. I hadn’t spent much time considering the legislation that impacts our practice as GCs, so I appreciated getting a glimpse into this. I’m excited to help pick next year’s speaker! – Alex Stauff<br /><br />Listening to Dr. Colleen Campbell's lecture titled "Charting the Genetic Counseling Landscape: Shaping Public Policy and Advocating for the Future of Genomic Healthcare" shed light on the essential partnerships and interdisciplinary efforts required to broaden access to genomic medicine. While I've always been drawn to the field of genetic counseling due to its collaborative nature, Dr. Campbell's insights expanded my understanding. I had previously recognized the importance of partnerships with patients, healthcare providers, and fellow genetics professionals. Yet, I was genuinely intrigued to discover the advocacy work at both the State and Federal levels, particularly regarding the licensure and passage of the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act. Dr. Campbell's recounting of her journey in securing licensure in Iowa vividly showcased that our envisioned paths often differ from the realities we encounter. As I progress in my training and embark on my professional journey, I am inspired by the lessons of resilience and adaptability she shared, and I intend to carry these invaluable insights forward. – Jerome Doerger</span>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-29325684873682096762023-11-09T07:11:00.001-08:002023-11-09T07:11:19.840-08:00Three Generations of Genetic Counseling Club<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjyok2mUO4FLdzBJZWa81Nz745ZzLnZlBmyy9e3fy0KbnaBvxNEB-oezS6BA3zehg2PCrBMJwwA6YHrZb8FM7kM5rdClxa99bC9wRqOTjfENUl-8kZmPdr5wFdj9-GstsSZRLlTrjmOrQ0034q3OlWB1WA6xBMfq0UFrGiQaruDgVIrVzzCUOw6KLmhx65" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="210" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjyok2mUO4FLdzBJZWa81Nz745ZzLnZlBmyy9e3fy0KbnaBvxNEB-oezS6BA3zehg2PCrBMJwwA6YHrZb8FM7kM5rdClxa99bC9wRqOTjfENUl-8kZmPdr5wFdj9-GstsSZRLlTrjmOrQ0034q3OlWB1WA6xBMfq0UFrGiQaruDgVIrVzzCUOw6KLmhx65=w185-h183" width="185" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Pitt
Genetic Counseling Club was established in 2016. The club aims to educate
students on genetic counseling as a career, as well as assist with applications
for those already decided on the career. The GC Club meets twice a month, with
periodic workshops and volunteer opportunities.
Jodie Vento serves as the faculty mentor for the group. Hear from three past and current members
about their experiences in the Pitt Genetic Counseling Club!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Gopika</u></b> Jan 2019-April 2022</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I first
heard about genetic counseling during spring semester my freshman year, and joined
Pitt’s genetic counseling club shortly after that. Through attending club
meetings, I was able to learn more about the genetic counseling field and
confirm that this was the career I wanted to pursue. One of my favorite parts
of the genetic counseling club was being a part of the communications
committee, a small group of club members that put together a newsletter
discussing different topics related to genetic counseling. We wrote articles
about various genetic conditions, current challenges in the genetic counseling
field, tips for grad school applications, and interviewed current genetic
counselors (GCs) and GC students. Writing and editing articles for the
newsletter helped me educate myself on the current state of the genetic
counseling field. For example, following the initial outbreak of the COVID-19
pandemic in March 2020, there was an increase in the use of telemedicine. We
decided to focus our next newsletter on telegenetics, writing articles about
the benefits and challenges of telemedicine and interviewing a GC who provided
services solely via telemedicine. Conducting research for articles and speaking
with GCs was definitely beneficial for growing my understanding of the field,
and preparing for grad school applications. I’m so thankful for my time in the
genetic counseling club and I hope it continues to be a wonderful resource for
future prospective GC students.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Grace</u></b> August 2019-April 2023</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 1pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My time
within Pitt’s genetic counseling club is something I will never forget. Much of
my understanding of the field was garnered at club meetings where we would
speak with practicing GCs, have genetics related ethical debates, learn about
various genetic disorders, hear from current students, and evaluate the process
of applying to graduate schools. It was inspiring to find a community of people
who shared my passions and be able to learn and grow together. One of the
biggest blessings of being in the club was having a supportive and
noncompetitive community when applying to programs. On several occasions, those
applying would get together to discuss their CVs and personal statements, and
even practice for interviews. It tremendously helped to make me feel less alone
when going through a very stressful process. Overall, my time within Pitt’s
genetic counseling club bolstered my love for the profession, helped me develop
key skills, and provided me with life-long friendships.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Alyssa</u></b> August 2020-Present</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I first
joined as a member of the Genetic Counseling Club at Pitt during the Fall 2020
semester—my very first semester of undergrad. Coming into college with an
interest and some previous knowledge about the field of genetic counseling, I
was beyond excited to join a club dedicated to the field. I attended online
club meetings every two weeks since my freshman year of college was completely
online (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Between navigating the nerves and
uncertainty of my first year of college, acclimating to online classes, and
attempting to make friends in a time of such overwhelming isolation, I found
support in the Genetic Counseling Club - every other week I had something to
look forward to. In addition to the club meetings, I was able to write for the
club’s student-led newsletter. I appreciated the opportunity to focus and
really dive into different topics and discussions in the field, and I enjoyed
being able to collaborate with peers to produce an engaging resource. The
genetic counseling club allowed me the opportunity to get to know my fellow
peers who shared similar aspirations and a passion for pursuing a career in
GC—and I am forever grateful to have met such a supportive and encouraging
group of friends!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">For more information
on the Genetic Counseling Club including meeting dates/times, visit their webpage, email </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="mailto:gccatpitt@gmail.com"><span style="line-height: 107%;">gccatpitt@gmail.com</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> or follow @gcc_upgh
on Instagram.</span></span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-42909454983577049652023-08-23T10:20:00.001-07:002023-08-23T10:20:30.329-07:00Nutritional Genomics: A New Landscape for Genetic Counseling? - Victoria Kostour<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpaEaBi76biJPG3XO9xiIkLvt7I4o-v_HNctElacSammxzDWVnylAV5iAQXsF6Nn083i3THMkWAfzTpeaDqbl5EseNZzDxBtSupKv4KAnWbvZVUjJ0nYuIjJRik8tYeyXsW772QpCaex8e8Vks6mYR3KU3ReVVqCb-TJS4Z9nzfn4WjFB9B3kuiUxzTIO/s3023/Victoria%20Kostour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="2267" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpaEaBi76biJPG3XO9xiIkLvt7I4o-v_HNctElacSammxzDWVnylAV5iAQXsF6Nn083i3THMkWAfzTpeaDqbl5EseNZzDxBtSupKv4KAnWbvZVUjJ0nYuIjJRik8tYeyXsW772QpCaex8e8Vks6mYR3KU3ReVVqCb-TJS4Z9nzfn4WjFB9B3kuiUxzTIO/w197-h262/Victoria%20Kostour.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">During my time as an undergraduate, I had many
different interests that I was not sure I could integrate into one career.
However, genetic counseling continued to appeal to me because of the
opportunity to create new roles in a variety of healthcare areas. Although most
are familiar with the few core specialties (prenatal, cancer, and pediatrics),
I was surprised to learn about opportunities in disciplines like cardiology,
neurology, industry, and ophthalmology. Something that particularly caught my
attention was the development of nutritional genomics.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nutritional genomics has two main branches:
nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. Nutrigenetics is a field that explores how our
bodies <i>respond</i> to what we consume.
Understanding these genetic impacts may help practitioners recommend specific
workouts and supplements to clients. On the other hand, nutrigenomics describes
how what we <i>consume</i> impacts gene
expression. During my undergraduate career, I participated in nutrigenomic
research that investigated how dietary bioactives can impact gene expression
that play important roles in various metabolism pathways. I was fascinated by
how the food we consume has the potential to change our genetic ecosystem.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a NSGC <i>Genetic Counselors and You</i>
Podcast episode titled “My Nutrition, My Genes,” registered dietician
nutritionist Jill West described her experiences using genetic testing to
adjust diet and maximize prevention strategies. For example, she shared that
genetic testing can be used to understand how patients metabolize caffeine and
sodium. If someone’s genetic testing reveals they are a slow metabolizer of
these compounds, they may want to limit their consumption, as it poses a larger
risk for heart disease for this individual as compared to someone who doesn’t
have a genetically based sensitivity.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More recently, the <i>DNA Today</i> podcast
hosted an episode with Dr. Yael Joffe, the founder of the company 3X4 Genetics.
Her company allows healthcare providers to access genetic testing to inform
diet and exercise plans for their patients. Dr. Joffe is passionate about
educating practitioners about genetics so they could integrate testing and
polygenic risk scores to work with individuals to change their daily lives. In
this episode, she clarifies how her company differs from traditional medical
genetics by studying “common gene changes … [that] do not cause disease. [These
changes] interact with the choices we make in our life: the food we eat, the
exercise we do, and therefore give us some control on how our genes express
themselves for our lives.” She emphasized how, to get the most value from
genes, there needs to be a population of healthcare providers trained in
interpreting genetics.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More than 26 million individuals have done
direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT). According to research by Roosan et
al. (2023), there are currently eighteen commercial laboratories in the United
States and Europe offering DTC-GT. These companies promise information about
personalized recommendations from diets, exercise performance, and fertility
optimization. Some DTC-GT can be physician-mediated, meaning practitioners
order testing kits from these companies for patients in their practice. While
some DTC-GT base their results on monogenic gene changes, others base their
results on RNA studies or polygenic risk scores. However, it can sometimes be
difficult to know exactly where companies are extracting evidence from to
provide health information.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are many studies that show associations
between specific genetic changes and different metabolism effects in
individuals. Yet, the main question continues to be whether genetic testing can
truly be a catalyst for individuals’ behavior change in relation to health. The
hope is that if individuals learn more about their own bodies and get more
personalized recommendations, then they will be willing to comply in the
long-term with health-promoting behaviors. Even though there is an increased
consumer interest in pursuing genetic testing for personalized recommendations,
there is still no consensus on the evidence of nutritional genomic testing.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
performed a two-part systematic review in 2021 (Robinson et al.). They looked
at 10 articles describing randomized, controlled trials that looked at the
impacts of using genetic testing for nutrition counseling. These trials
analyzed a variety of nutritional measures from macronutrient distribution to
fruit and vegetable intake. The only significant changes were seen with
high-risk variant carriers, who were more likely than low-risk gene variant
carriers to reduce their intake of sodium and alcohol in response to genetic
results (Hendershot et al., Nielsen et al.). In all other studies, there were
no significant differences in dietary intake of those that received
nutrition-based genetic counseling compared to a control group. Therefore, the
Academy concluded that there is insufficient evidence to suggest significant
effects of nutrition-based genetic testing and it is not yet ready to be
routinely incorporated into dietetics practices. Previous studies also found no
changes in behavioral modifications in response to DTC-GT results of condition
susceptibility (Bloss et al., Gray et al.).</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s important to keep in mind that there are
many lifestyle changes that people can make to improve health with genetic
testing. Genetic advice may help motivate some but may only be more significant
than common advice for sub-populations of people who respond to environmental
factors uniquely. However, we can also appreciate that this field is very young
and gene-lifestyle interactions for polygenic traits need to be further
investigated so we can determine if nutrition-based genetic testing can be
translated into clinical recommendations and public health initiatives.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From a quick Google search, you can find PhD
programs in Nutrigenomics from institutions like University of the Balearic
Islands and University of Cape Town. Besides these specialized programs, many
dietetic programs do not have coursework in genetics. While individuals, like
Dr. Yael Joffe, have tried to respond to these gaps in genetic education, I am
interested if there is also a space for genetic counselors. Roosan et al.
(2023), conducted a systematic literature review on nutrigenomics counseling
and identified that interested practitioners report lacking genetic counseling
skills and opportunities to integrate them in clinical practice. Genetic
counselors may be best trained to interpret nutritional genetic testing results
and help clients adopt personalized plans. Genetic counselors already have roles with
psychiatric genetic counseling, which similarly conveys information about
multifactorial conditions and potential management strategies.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s exciting to me to think that genetic
counselors can continue to have new roles within and beyond the healthcare
system. While the effectiveness of clinically used nutritional-based genetic
testing still seems uncertain, we cannot deny that this field has a future.
Genetic tests have already been used by healthcare providers to inform health
interventions. The question remains to what extent this service will be
beneficial to public health and clinical practice. Do you feel nutrigenomics
has a basis for growth? Do genetic counselors have a responsibility to support
and be involved in the development of this field?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><br /></span></p></div><div><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN">Resources:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dineen, K. (Host). (2022, May). </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">#185 Nutrigenomics with Yael Joffe</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.
[Audio podcast]. Retrieved from </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SABJeGUwVQ" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SABJeGUwVQ</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SABJeGUwVQ" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><br /></span></a><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;">Guasch-Ferré, M., Dashti, H. S., & Merino, J.
(2018). Nutritional Genomics and Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: An
Overview. <i>Advances in nutrition
(Bethesda, Md.)</i>, <i>9</i>(2), 128–135. </span><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy001"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;">https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy001</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy001"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;">Hendershot, C. S., Otto, J. M., Collins, S. E.,
Liang, T., & Wall, T. L. (2010). Evaluation of a brief web-based genetic
feedback intervention for reducing alcohol-related health risks associated with
ALDH2. <i>Annals of behavioral medicine : a
publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine</i>, <i>40</i>(1), 77–88. </span><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9207-3"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;">https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9207-3</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9207-3"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;">Nielsen, D. E., & El-Sohemy, A. (2014).
Disclosure of genetic information and change in dietary intake: a randomized
controlled trial. <i>PloS one</i>, <i>9</i>(11), e112665. </span><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112665"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112665</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112665"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;">Regalado A. More than 26 million people have taken
an at-home ancestry test. MIT Technology Review. https://www.
technologyreview.com/s/612880/morethan-26-million-people-have-taken-an-athome-ancestry-test/.
Published February 11, 2019. Accessed July 10, 2023.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;">Robinson, K., Rozga, M., Braakhuis, A., Ellis, A.,
Monnard, C. R., Sinley, R., Wanner, A., & Vargas, A. J. (2021). Effect of
Incorporating Genetic Testing Results into Nutrition Counseling and Care on
Dietary Intake: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review-Part I. <i>Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics</i>, <i>121</i>(3), 553–581.e3. </span><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.04.001"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.04.001</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.04.001"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #212121; text-indent: -0.25in;">Roosan, D., Wu, Y., Tran, M., Huang, Y., Baskys, A.,
& Roosan, M. R. (2023). Opportunities to integrate nutrigenomics into
clinical practice and patient counseling. <i>European
journal of clinical nutrition</i>, <i>77</i>(1),
36–44. </span><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-022-01146-x"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-022-01146-x</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-022-01146-x"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></a></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Wong, K. (Host). </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My
Nutrition, My Genes</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dx96ucyQtT0e9evVyENmD?si=50b9eb41866746f2" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dx96ucyQtT0e9evVyENmD?si=50b9eb41866746f2</span></a></div></span></span></div>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-27535037793105228352023-07-15T12:54:00.002-07:002023-07-15T12:58:02.263-07:00One Size Doesn't Fit All: A Discussion on Strategies to Improve Mental Health in the Graduate School Population - Elian Buchi<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRzrs8v65vQvUyKd9KL3JYwhdWVF3a3S4nZNHI0qEBnl5IdALRsAWS9dW4zj2HUjR639FasFxotKahcxY1YJ1TacqWk8ZFFZDczrQwKp2G675nPP35YB_BF3TQWLRKxHRFKf8kmjntz5lNRrusMxI96ykdcR0XBDpPhoAO8M-8y7_DBJhyQprQFwzMomW/s1600/Elian%20Buchi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRzrs8v65vQvUyKd9KL3JYwhdWVF3a3S4nZNHI0qEBnl5IdALRsAWS9dW4zj2HUjR639FasFxotKahcxY1YJ1TacqWk8ZFFZDczrQwKp2G675nPP35YB_BF3TQWLRKxHRFKf8kmjntz5lNRrusMxI96ykdcR0XBDpPhoAO8M-8y7_DBJhyQprQFwzMomW/w198-h264/Elian%20Buchi.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span data-canva-clipboard="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"></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">November 14, 2014 - this is a day
that will forever be ingrained in my mind. You see, this day was when my
parents, two brothers and I flew from our war-torn homeland in Syria as
refugees, to our new home in Pennsylvania. Waving goodbye to everything that had
been familiar to me, and hugging everyone that I had known and loved was
overwhelming to say the least. I remember that as the airplane tires touched
down at Pittsburgh International Airport and we taxied to our gate, I began to
have that sensation of a pit in my stomach. I had so much fear of all the new
and unknown things coming my way. Leaving the comfort of the stone buildings
and working in my family’s restaurant in Syria, driving to our new home, and
seeing these large trees, residential neighborhoods was a stark change in my
reality. This theme of change was inevitable at that point in my life. Looking
back now, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be where I am today,
yet I would be lying if this did not come with challenges. I would call this
the “snow season” of my life because it honestly was a blur. Like the snow
screen on a television, I was trying to assimilate into a new culture, a home,
and a largely unfamiliar language. In some respects, I think my journey in
graduate school can be applied to this. We are constantly learning about the
culture of empathic patient centered care, doing so at our new home (The
University of Pittsburgh, Go Panthers!) and yes, even learning all new diseases
and genetic concepts that can feel like a new language. Through all of these
changes, I continued to reflect on myself, finding that I had that pit in my
stomach similar to when that plane landed at PIT. Did I know what this
sensation of a pit in my stomach was…no. It took intense self-reflection to realize
that I was anxious and in fact, burnout as these new expectations that were set
before. I truly felt mentally exhausted and overwhelmed, as if one more task
would be too much to bear. Trying to master the numerous PowerPoints,
understand the brand new concepts, all while building consistent and empathic
patient interviewing skills, this took its toll on me both mentally and
physically. I found myself sitting in front of my cherrywood desk in my
apartment, staring at my computer screen asking myself if this was all worth
it?<br /></span></span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With my negative self-talk and the
toll that this was taking on my health, I knew it was unacceptable, yet I did
not know how to fix this myself. As I continue to reflect, I first realized
that I did not know what exactly mental health was. Additionally, I did not
know how to articulate exactly how I was feeling. Yes, mental health is a term
that we all have heard multiple times in presentations and trendy online posts
about improving this, but what does it boil down to? What is and isn’t anxiety,
burnout, and depression? More importantly, what can I do to help myself get to
a state in which I can healthfully operate? In my view, this is not a one size
fits all solution. Someone won’t come around, wave their magic wand and deem me
cured. I realized that this is going to take work and support from others. What
I am going to share is my own personal reflection, and my hope is that this
will inspire you to take stock in what is your own mental health with ideas on
how to improve this.<br /></span></span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I continue along my period of
lifelong self-discovery of my own mental health, I have found that it is
important to realize that the solution to positive mental health is not a
straight line. There are many hills and valleys that have culminated into my
inner strength and desire to rebuild my positivity and confidence to help get
to where I am today. Much like a recipe takes multiple ingredients, trial runs
and yes even multiple taste tests before it comes together, I would like to
share some of the ingredients that have helped me have a more positive outlook
on my own mental health. When I started graduate school, I found myself
overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new things. If I am being completely honest
with myself and my viewers, I let the fear of the unknown consume me. There
would be times that I would sit at my same cherry wood desk with my laptop
open, asking myself, “Am I capable of doing this?” This negative self-talk went
on for several weeks until my loved ones (mainly my amazing fiancée) realized
that I needed help. Through some self-discovery, I decided that I was going to
establish boundaries that work for me, so that I am able to set time aside for
myself to help achieve a fulfilling life outside of graduate school. I decided
that each day, I was going to do something small for myself, something that I
personally enjoy and brings a positive point of enjoyment to the day. For me,
these include cooking and exercising, as I strongly believe that physical and
mental health are interconnected in the intricate web that have helped me get
through those hills and valleys. Setting aside forty-five minutes daily to go
on a run or taking a walk with my friends, helps me clear my headspace and
promote my overall wellness. In regard to my schoolwork, I decided that I would
make a manageable to-do list for each day. I also have the expectation that
yes, life gets in the way and it is okay not to complete every item, as
tomorrow’s to-do list can absorb today’s. Taking the tasks of my day in
chewable bites is something that has positively improved my outlook on graduate
school overall. Outside of my personal resources, I found it important to look
outside of myself for inspiration. I looked at my peers and mentors to lean on
during the especially trying times. Having those frank conversations with my
cohort and going through the same experiences provides a unique opportunity to
support and learn from each other.<br /></span></span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In closing, a big picture thought
that has helped me on the journey through graduate school has been always
reflecting back on my reason “Why?”. Why did I choose to pursue becoming a
genetic counselor? In short, I became a genetic counselor to help patients and
their families through what will be one of the most difficult and uncertain
times in their lives. I have the immense opportunity to be in this country, in
a graduate program in a field that I love surrounded by supportive friends and
family. I am incredibly grateful for the inner strength that my story has given
me. I want to be that person who can sit with a patient and their family to
help them truly understand what condition they are diagnosed with and what
options there are available. In life, when we are given circumstances that are
challenging, I choose to now look at these as opportunities. My reason “Why?”
can translate seamlessly into my opportunity for improvement in my own mental
health and the health of those around me. The strategies I listed above are the
tip of the iceberg, and I hope that they give you inspiration to take stock in
how you can improve your own mental and physical health. I encourage each of
you to facilitate more discussion that can bring about positive, meaningful
change to improve mental health services and reduce the stigma for all. In
fact, I urge you to continue fighting the stigma surrounding mental health
concerns. In our profession, it is vital that, as genetic counselors, we are
best equipped to help our patients and their families find the best solution to
an oftentimes challenging diagnosis. To do this with the highest efficacy and
empathy, we must first take care of ourselves. After all, the field of medicine
is not a one size fits all domain, so our own mental and physical health
shouldn’t be either.</span></span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-57290856239673827392023-06-22T13:04:00.000-07:002023-06-22T13:04:26.092-07:00With A Little Help From My Friends: My Interdisciplinary Student Experience at Pitt - Saad Akhtar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBmzTRbpG33x2pU2Q5fsBU49WXXEhetv7yERAggmUTGZmI4Q8bWm5BjYzyIC-u-dQIKmsN3DtLhMd1EiHr_69vCoOby5Uhfsm3mBqy2F4zrWm07yNm3609mWqtKzyfpSyTKqApCTJB5SoxSEuVfMgb4rvmATIzpQy9llWjZUBHfsYgUHjRxR-FyaEefnQ/s2635/Saad%20Akhtar.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2635" data-original-width="1991" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBmzTRbpG33x2pU2Q5fsBU49WXXEhetv7yERAggmUTGZmI4Q8bWm5BjYzyIC-u-dQIKmsN3DtLhMd1EiHr_69vCoOby5Uhfsm3mBqy2F4zrWm07yNm3609mWqtKzyfpSyTKqApCTJB5SoxSEuVfMgb4rvmATIzpQy9llWjZUBHfsYgUHjRxR-FyaEefnQ/w194-h257/Saad%20Akhtar.jpeg" width="194" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of my favorite aspects of being a genetic counseling student here at Pitt is being under the umbrella of the School of Public Health and getting to interact with students and professors in the many other programs offered here. As I started my time at Pitt as an MPH student and later transitioning into the dual degree program, I had no idea how invaluable having this access to other disciplines would be. It has not only broadened my perspective of different health issues that affect patients beyond the clinic but has also made me appreciate the different roles that other students and professionals have in ensuring the best health outcomes for patients. I know this will be especially important as I begin my rotations, as I have seen from my prior support roles how often genetic counselors interact with other medical professionals in our profession and how vital it is to learn to work with others outside of our field.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a dual degree student, how our work as genetic counselors falls into the broader scope of Public Health is constantly on my mind. In my first year at Pitt prior to officially joining the genetic counseling program, I had the benefit of taking several classes that focused on aspects of health outside the clinical and research spaces we tend to associate it with. Two of these courses, <i>Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health</i> and <i>Introduction to Community Health</i>, particularly have had an impact on me and my time here as a student. <i>Social and Behavioral Health Sciences</i> focused on issues of health equity and access, which have always been a passion of mine. But, it also taught me about the importance of qualitative research and how the experiences of people and patients can be just as vital as the statistics and numbers that can represent them in studies. This is extremely relevant to genetic counseling, as the psychosocial aspect of genetic testing and the implications it can have on our patients' lives is the basis of our field. <i>Community Health</i> taught me how to build trust in communities as a medical professional and to think about how health issues can affect people in various ways on a local scale and beyond. In both of these courses, I had a chance to work with public health students studying areas such as Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, just to name a few. It opened my eyes to the various ways people in different fields could approach tackling issues we talked about in class and how by working together, we could each bring something unique to the table.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My work in these classes also influenced my practicum experience as part of Bridging the Gaps, which is an internship provided by Pitt. In Bridging the Gaps, students from different fields work together over the summer to join various organizations across the city working to help underserved individuals and communities. As part of my work, I had the pleasure of working with a nursing student at an anti-violence summer camp program for the community of Beltzhoover. Though neither of us had much experience directly working with children or underserved communities, by the end of the summer we both felt like we had learned a lot about working with these individuals, not only from each other but from members of the community of Beltzhoover as well. It is one thing to learn about the social determinants of health in class, but it’s an entirely different experience to see how they affect actual people in communities just twenty minutes from where we study. Besides my own work in Bridging the Gaps, we also got a chance to work with other students studying things such as Social Work, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy, as well as meet with leaders from organizations doing vital work across the city of Pittsburgh. Many of the people I worked with had very little understanding of genetic counseling as a field, so I had the opportunity to teach others about the work we do in my role while learning from them as well. Through this experience, I have become aware of so many resources and organizations that work to help those in need that I had no knowledge of prior, and I know this knowledge will be useful as a genetic counselor. Part of our job is to be able to direct our patients to resources they need, and as medical professionals, it's our duty to be advocates for our patients. I truly believe our role in our patients’ lives does not begin and end during our time in the clinic with them. Through my experiences, I have a much better idea of how I can address their needs beyond the clinic in the future.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In thinking about interdisciplinary work, I also want to highlight my experience being part of the department of Human Genetics. One thing I love about our department is how, even though our individual focuses can differ from program to program, there is a strong sense of community and uplifting each other’s work. We, of course, have students, professors, and other professionals in our department who primarily focus on genetics research, but we have individuals studying bioinformatics, public health genetics, and of course, genetic counseling as well. As part of our curriculum, we take many of the same courses and get to learn from individuals who are experts in their particular fields. As a result, the way we think about genetics is unique and we see how our work can affect individuals on every level, from a societal perspective all the way down to the molecules that make us who we are.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From my own experience, I can say that making friends in other programs has benefited me enormously as a student. Forming a study group with students in the MS/PhD programs in our <i>Molecular Basis</i> class in my first semester helped me so much as I adjusted to coming back to academia after a long time off. In our statistical methods and bioinformatics courses, having classmates who had prior experience in those fields who I could rely on for help if I needed it was invaluable as well. Some of those classmates have become some of my closest friends here in Pittsburgh and it’s been a true pleasure getting to know them both in and outside the classroom.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If I can end this post with some advice, to any future incoming students or applicants thinking about joining our program, take some inspiration from the Pittsburgh legend Fred Rogers and learn to be a “good neighbor” to those around you. The interdisciplinary community we have developed at Pitt can be your biggest asset in your time here if you’re willing to take advantage of it. Nearly everyone I have had the opportunity to interact with has positively impacted my time here, and I’m deeply grateful to be part of a program that emphasizes collaboration with individuals both in and outside our field.</span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-30255534926794240872023-06-02T11:08:00.000-07:002023-06-02T11:08:41.603-07:00"If You Knew Everything, You Wouldn't Be Here" - Nicole Weise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkBp-n3gJP1nSf77t_R5nyST4TGcaA683X3ECY98k42zBND2ygTE_tWOFZoYppyctyr7OQ7gqVdLvWhG8e9B5RFJXc-fby0TKow3OsD6oko6yyFVU7POTy00HTFqDaCEEPBpIYEJJzFdM1L30IrXWZ7CLITsOhPg2GBWMQYG4GVKuThoJdmbmLgR-pg/s4032/Nicole%20Weise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkBp-n3gJP1nSf77t_R5nyST4TGcaA683X3ECY98k42zBND2ygTE_tWOFZoYppyctyr7OQ7gqVdLvWhG8e9B5RFJXc-fby0TKow3OsD6oko6yyFVU7POTy00HTFqDaCEEPBpIYEJJzFdM1L30IrXWZ7CLITsOhPg2GBWMQYG4GVKuThoJdmbmLgR-pg/w198-h264/Nicole%20Weise.JPG" width="198" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Going into graduate school, I knew there was a lot I didn’t
know about genetic counseling, and I was eager to get started on my training. Our
first semester was inundated with information about Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium,
lysosomal storage disorders, and risk assessment (who knew Bayes would not be
the hardest part about genetic counseling?). As we finished out the spring
semester, the amount of information we’ve absorbed on hereditary cancer
predisposition syndromes, genetic testing methodologies, and psychosocial
interventions is enough to make one’s head spin. Some days it’s hard to keep up
with everything, and even still, I know there is so much more to take in. This
is not surprising: we signed up to be lifelong learners.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite knowing so little about the actual genetics behind
genetic counseling, I thought I had a very good understanding of the basic
principles of genetic counseling going into graduate school. <i>Patient
autonomy</i>. <i>Non-directiveness</i>. <i>Unconditional positive regard</i>. Self-explanatory,
no nuance. Alas, I should have known – it could never be that simple.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Thursday afternoons from 1:00 – 1:50pm, we had the
opportunity to take <i>Ethical Issues in Clinical and Public Health Genetics</i>,
taught by Drs. Robin Grubs and Michael Deem. This class challenged my
understanding of what I knew to be the basic tenets of genetic counseling. One
of our first, and most impactful, lectures was on non-directiveness.
Non-directiveness is perhaps one of the main defining features of genetic
counseling, born out of the renunciation of eugenics. I had always thought non-directiveness
was straightforward: genetic counselors have a duty to provide patients with
clear and unbiased information so that patients can make fully informed decisions,
free from coercion. As a result, non-directiveness on the part of the genetic
counselor promotes patient autonomy and self-directiveness. But in talking
about non-directiveness in practice, we were asked: can we take a truly
non-directive approach in all situations? If a family does not provide a child
with PKU a diet free from phenylalanine, can we remain non-directive? If
cascade testing can identify a germline pathogenic variant that increases a
person’s cancer risk but the proband does not want to communicate their results
to their family, can we remain non-directive? At what point, if ever, should
the genetic counselor step in and be even <i>a little bit</i> directive?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In addition to non-directiveness, this course provided us
the forum to discuss relevant ethical topics in genetic counseling such as
informed consent, duty to disclose, secondary and incidental findings, and consumer-driven
genetic testing. I was pleased that we also discussed ethical issues raised by
non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS), a topic that is of personal interest
for me. Given the non-invasive nature of NIPS, it may be increasingly seen as a
standard part of prenatal care. Some, however, argue that this may diminish the
informed consent process and even stigmatize a person’s choice not to pursue
NIPS. Additionally, greater access to NIPS raises the possibility that it may
result in fewer individuals being born with genetic conditions, and
subsequently, fewer resources being invested in their health and equity in
society. NIPS, therefore, has the potential to further widen disparities
between abled and disabled individuals. How can we as future genetic counselors
provide the best care possible for our patients when these ethical implications
arise? How can we incorporate our understanding of ethical challenges into
practice while maintaining a commitment towards patient autonomy and choice?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The truth is, there is not always a one-size-fits-all answer
to such ethical questions. Ethics has a way of challenging our perceptions of
what we ought to do, and what we ought not to do. The value of studying ethics
is that we consider viewpoints that are not our own and that we recognize that
not every dilemma has a right answer. It allows us to set our rigid views of
the world aside and consider that things are not always as straightforward as
they seem. The study of ethics has a critical role in our training: the field
of genetic counseling is rapidly evolving, and we should expect ethical issues
to arise and be prepared to face them head on.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-80299423235826453362023-05-17T12:12:00.000-07:002023-05-17T12:12:43.894-07:00Public Health in the Genetic Counseling Space - Megan Zieber<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3Plx38ZNprvIoi6vHFS3eMYEPvlNRcx6LgCAq0qSU_qolfUqTDfMfuLoKteU3KS7TMDB7XXbsO389Fowq3rWpbIplwwj0j5NN8CaOTUlXpWJD9ANtqMut7gZ7QVYjU-3Qnj_OwI5SWutuCH-UVnWQ7bJjKEdoJbQTJ6xkE6yTQZj0simLYQpbuA5xQ/s1497/Megan%20Zieber.copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1124" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3Plx38ZNprvIoi6vHFS3eMYEPvlNRcx6LgCAq0qSU_qolfUqTDfMfuLoKteU3KS7TMDB7XXbsO389Fowq3rWpbIplwwj0j5NN8CaOTUlXpWJD9ANtqMut7gZ7QVYjU-3Qnj_OwI5SWutuCH-UVnWQ7bJjKEdoJbQTJ6xkE6yTQZj0simLYQpbuA5xQ/w198-h264/Megan%20Zieber.copy.jpg" width="198" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since beginning my career at
Pitt Public Health, my appreciation for external influences on health – accessibility,
transportation, and built environment – has grown immensely. The University of Pittsburgh is one of few
schools in the country to offer a dual Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public
Health Genetics and Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) degree. The MPH gives me a unique perspective when
approaching case preparation and patient interactions. Working directly with individuals in
outpatient clinics as well as underserved communities in the greater Pittsburgh
area has highlighted gaps in care and sparked ideas of how, as providers, we can
work on transdisciplinary teams to close those gaps. The MPH also exposed me to more disciplines
that I may interface with in my career – social work, physical therapy and
occupational therapy, as well as environmental and occupational health, to name
a few.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a student currently in
the dual degree program, I recognize some of the benefits of pursuing an MPH in
addition to my MSGC degree; however, I think there are some things you can only
glean from working in the field. With the
innumerable opportunities available to students in genetic counseling and
public health programs, I thought it would be helpful to hear from two
currently practicing genetic counselors on how their dual degrees (MPH/MSGC)
are serving them in their unique careers. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I spoke with Kerrianne Fry,
MS, MPH, CGC and Aishwarya Arjunan, MS, MPH, CGC, CPH, two Pitt MPH/MSGC alumnae. Kerrianne attended Shippensburg University of
Pennsylvania, where she majored in Biology with a Health Sciences concentration
and minored in Psychology. She then
attended the University of Pittsburgh, beginning with her MPH in Public Health
Genetics and graduating with a dual degree in 2016. Aishwarya completed her undergraduate
education at Case Western Reserve University, majoring in Biology. She continued on to the University of
Pittsburgh to complete her Master of Public Health degree. After a year at Pitt, she matriculated into
the genetic counseling program, graduating with a dual degree in 2013. Read on to hear about their journeys with the
MPH and what they’ve been up to since graduation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why did you decide to pursue
a dual degree?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kerrianne: I kind of tripped and stumbled into the
dual degree. I was accepted into the MPH
first. I had applied for both the MS and
MPH, but I wasn’t accepted into the MS program my first application cycle. I decided to continue on the path of the MPH
because I knew genetics was where my passion lied. I reapplied to get into the MS program the
next year and was accepted. I don’t
think I fully appreciated the finer aspects of the MPH until I was into my
working career, and I recognized what my passions were. I realized the MPH strongly aligned with who
I am – my core values as a person. I
think it marries what I really enjoy and am passionate about. I always explain it to people that the MS
degree is one-on-one conversation, and the MPH is the bridge between the whole
population and getting to the one-on-one conversation – the bridge that builds
the gap between the general population and how we get them to that
individualized care. So, I’ve always
seen them as one integrated program rather than seeing them as two distinctly
defined degrees. I always looked at how
I could pull my knowledge base together.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aishwarya: I think public health was something I
became interested in in college. I was a
biology major, but I also took anthropology classes and some sociology classes
in which public health would come up in conversation. Then at the end of senior year [of college],
I decided to apply to public health programs.
[Public health] was something I was really interested in, and Pitt was
the only one that had a public health degree in genetics. I was always looking to be in a healthcare
space. I hadn’t heard about genetic
counseling until senior year when I was in a developmental biology lab class. The post doc teaching the class asked if I’d
heard of genetic counseling, so I talked to one of the genetic counseling program
directors to learn more. They told me
what prerequisites and extracurriculars I needed, like crisis counseling. It was already into one semester of senior
year, so I thought, ‘I’ve already applied to grad programs. Maybe this isn’t for me.’ I went to Pitt for my public health
degree. In the <i>Intro to Public Health
Genetics</i> class, one of the directors of Pitt’s MPH Public Health Genetics program
pulled me aside very early on and said, ‘Have you thought about genetic
counseling?’ These are two people that I
don’t know very well who are saying this is a career I need to look into, so I set
up observations with the genetic counselors in Pitt, and then ended up applying
to the Pitt Genetic Counseling program that Fall. It’s been a blessing because this is not what
I had planned for my life, but this has been perfect for me.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Would you share what your GC
journey has looked like since graduation?
Where has your career taken you?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kerrianne: I’ve worked in many different domains as
a genetic counselor. I was previously
working in the clinic, where my main passion was newborn screening which has a
strong public health component to it. I
was talking to people in one-on-one conversations who have these conditions
that were diagnosed from a population health standpoint. I now work for Myriad in the lab industry,
which I think is where my MPH kicked in even more. My passion as a genetic counselor is lab
utilization and optimization. I really
like the behind-the-scenes work. I love
chatting with patients one-on-one and families, but my ultimate goal is working
on projects that can improve the physician and patient experience. ‘What can I do on the back end to make it an
even better outcome for both parties, individually and collectively, so that
patients can get the best care possible?’
I want to make sure the most appropriate testing is being ordered and
ensure providers know what testing exists to help their patient.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aishwarya: I’m in industry now, but when I
graduated, I found a job where I felt like I could really combine the public
health and genetic counseling degrees.
Eighty percent of my job was with the Center for Jewish Genetics, which
is part of the Jewish Federation in Chicago, and twenty percent of my job was
clinical pediatrics at Lurie Children’s Hospital. My role at the hospital was clinical pediatrics,
seeing patients who were coming in and working with the medical geneticists. My role [at the Center for Jewish Genetics]
was to be educating the Chicagoan Jewish community about genetics and genetic
testing, primarily carrier screening. They
used to have a program that would happen every other month at local synagogues
where people would come in, listen to a presentation about carrier screening
and risks, and have their blood drawn to be sent for testing. When I joined, I switched that program to a
virtual format and made it a continuous program that people could sign up
whenever they want, watch a series of educational videos, and we would reach
out to them once they completed that to answer any questions they might have
had. We would mail a [saliva] kit to
their house. They would get the kits, give
their sample, and send it back to the lab; I would get the results and follow
up to do the counseling. It was an
opportunity to do a lot of education and public health genetics awareness. I was at the Center for Jewish Genetics for a
little over two years, and then switched to industry [in 2015] to work as a
medical science liaison (MSL) at Counsyl.
I was an MSL for a few years, and then I switched over to product. I was the clinical product manager for the
expanded carrier screening. I joined
GRAIL, Inc. in May 2021 as an MSL.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do you think having the dual
degree has helped you in your genetic counseling career? If so, how?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kerrianne: The MPH focuses on all the other
specialties you can run into – health administration, epidemiology, behavioral
health sciences – all the specialties that I would want to refer to or that
might refer to me. The dual degree has
made me more cognizant of other key stakeholders and the importance we all play,
independently and cohesively. The MPH,
for me, has built the acknowledgement that other teams are equally important to
genetics in different ways. It has
broadened my awareness and respect of other practices before I even set foot in
a clinic. I think that’s one of the
biggest differences I see between me and a lot of genetic counselors I’ve
practiced with in the past. I’ve always
looked at it from a much bigger picture; I recognize I can’t be my best self without
the support of different teams of providers. I always thought that I was just a
different genetic counselor. I’ve
learned a lot of that is from my MPH training.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aishwarya: I really think the dual degree helps. More and more of the general public is
getting access to genetic testing and genetic information one way or
another. "Personalized medicine" is the
buzz word. I think there are so many ways
that genetics is intertwined into people’s care that they don’t even realize. I think we need to be doing more; public
health genetics is very important and it’s what drives my role. I strongly believe that if I can help educate
or empower one provider to be more comfortable and understand the testing that
they’re offering and offer better pre-test counseling, the downstream impact is
much larger than I could’ve had seeing patients one-on-one. I think it would be beneficial for a lot of
people to have more of a public health background to really understand how everything
fits together. I think the public health
degree is so useful because it gives you more perspective outside of what might
be your area of expertise. With the MPH,
I had to take an environmental and health sciences class, as well as health policy
and management – additional things that you don’t take as a genetic counseling
student. We need to have as much
exposure to things outside of our area because those things have an impact on
what we do. I think it helps us to be
more open-minded about how we fit into the picture.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">What advice would you give
to students thinking about completing an MPH in addition to an MSGC?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kerrianne: When I first graduated with my MPH, I
wasn’t sure why I put myself in one additional year of debt, but when I reflect
on my MPH, there were so many classes I loved that taught me how other
specialties approached a situation, what types of resolutions they could
provide, what gaps there may be, and where genetics or another specialty could
fill that space. A lot of what the MPH
taught me is to think about the upstream and downstream factors that could influence
the indications bringing individuals into the genetics clinic. If we’re all willing to state our voices and
listen to others to work together, it’s all going to go so much better.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aishwarya: Just understanding other perspectives,
it really helps me be a better genetic counselor. I have a classmate who got an MPH after we
finished grad school and a few years later said, ‘This is really important.’ Genetics is already everywhere, and being
able to have the public health lens and understanding will help you think wider
than our genetics space. I don’t think I
knew all the possibilities of different roles that I could do when I was
graduating. There’s such a diverse
variety of roles that are available for genetic counselors to thrive in. There are so many ways we can use our genetic
counseling skills that we shouldn’t hold ourselves back. I think our genetic counseling degree gives
us a great base and there’s so many things we can grow from, do, and learn.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #833c0b;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If I had to pare down what I
learned from meeting with these accomplished genetic counselors, I would say,
think outside the box and build your network.
Not everything has a genetic cause.
Convergence of environmental factors and genetics can account for more
indications than you may expect. Building
your network will open opportunities for mentorship, as well as growth to help ensure
a better patient experience. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you to Kerrianne and
Aishwarya for taking time out of their busy schedules to provide insight on
their unique journeys with the dual degree.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">*Responses have been
shortened for length purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For more information on
Pitt’s dual MPH/MSGC degree, visit: <a href="https://www.sph.pitt.edu/hugen/academics/dual-mphms-genetic-counseling">https://www.sph.pitt.edu/hugen/academics/dual-mphms-genetic-counseling</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><p></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-1719140924594795372023-05-01T16:49:00.000-07:002023-05-01T16:49:10.577-07:00Making Waves in the SEAs of Genetic Counseling - Leann To<p style="text-align: left;"></p><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4QumuYePzhNrYPJIpVBMSMXVcxh4zun85RugSVVFmAprGj36iDlMsr7GoyWsGaLeGMMx-tvqF6yqCcrZBa7GeTIi4leQr9Ix1hTdifMoh55UA27H_XG0TXjSpDsR8PGUFj5ZfTLaZSojqKFUfUg_jiExeA38Nb_kSwu1N1IRbz_dvHmMbse5Ww9usw/s4082/Leann%20To.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="2616" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4QumuYePzhNrYPJIpVBMSMXVcxh4zun85RugSVVFmAprGj36iDlMsr7GoyWsGaLeGMMx-tvqF6yqCcrZBa7GeTIi4leQr9Ix1hTdifMoh55UA27H_XG0TXjSpDsR8PGUFj5ZfTLaZSojqKFUfUg_jiExeA38Nb_kSwu1N1IRbz_dvHmMbse5Ww9usw/w178-h277/Leann%20To.jpeg" width="178" /></a></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My father fled Vietnam
since my grandfather, a South Vietnamese Army Officer, was sent to a
re-education camp after the Fall of Saigon. He slipped away on a small rickety
boat during a quiet night at a South Vietnamese sea port with two of his
sisters, even after his youngest brother’s multiple failed attempts had left
him imprisoned. At the age of 19, my father stayed at Galang Refugee Camp in
Indonesia awaiting sponsorship for US citizenship. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am a child of Southeast
Asian (SEA) immigrants. My ethnic identity was shaped early on in my Vietnamese
home, where I spent most of my time playing with my brother and cousins in a
quaint Midwestern town. As I grew up, I became familiar with the role of a
translator: from reading bills, writing emails, and explaining my days at
school in Vietnamese.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, going to the
doctor’s office was often a frustrating experience that proved to be difficult.
Due to language and cultural barriers, my mother had difficulty finding a
doctor that would listen to her concerns, which caused a significant delay in
her diagnosis. My family’s experience with healthcare barriers is just one drop
in the ocean of many others in the Asian American (AA) community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to a systematic
review by <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41436-021-01169-y"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Young et al.,</span></a>
many Asian Americans (which includes SEAs) face various challenges to
accessing genetic counseling and genetic testing:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Lack of
Access and Awareness of Genetic Services:</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> AAs have some of the lowest awareness levels regarding genetic
testing services compared to other groups. One study found that AAs have the
lowest proportion of knowledge regarding their family history, which in part
can be attributed to immigration or forced displacement of certain ethnic
groups.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Language
Barriers:</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Patients with limited
English proficiency face a significant barrier. Studies have brought up that
AAs were reluctant to ask questions during GC sessions due to difficulties
formulating questions in English. Differences in language can also create
difficulty in conversing with healthcare providers and understanding and
interpreting test results.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Cultural
Factors:</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> AA patients expected
providers to give specific health recommendations. Some patients felt uncomfortable
with the nondirective nature of genetic counseling. Family roles in
decision-making was also highlighted: one study of East/SEA women showed an
emphasis on collective family decisions, rather than an individual decision for
a range of prenatal tests.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Aggregation
of Asian American Subgroups:</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
Few studies have explicitly compared multiple Asian subgroups. AAs are a
heterogenous group composed of various ethnicities with different needs.
Lumping various Asian communities into one singular non-specific group with no
options to categorize by ethnicity creates inequities and masks meaningful
differences in health.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To serve the needs of a
diverse and culturally rich population and reduce health disparities, our
profession must take measures to increase diversity and promote inclusion to
train graduates who will promote a society in which all people have equal
access to culturally competent healthcare and the resources to make informed
health decisions. This ongoing endeavor starts with the recruitment and support
of students from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the field.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <a href="https://www.nsgc.org/Policy-Research-and-Publications/Professional-Status-Survey"><span style="color: #1155cc;">NSGC 2022 Professional Status
Survey</span></a> reported that 36 genetic counselors identified as SEA, out of a
total of 2,859 completed surveys. To put this in perspective, the US Census
Bureau published data from the <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/05/aanhpi-population-diverse-geographically-dispersed.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">2016-2020 5-year ACS</span></a> stating that there are 5.9 million
SEAs living in the US. We do not have enough SEA genetic counselors (or those
from any racial/ethnic minority groups for that matter) to provide
patient/provider concordance.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The<a href="https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/statistics.html"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc;">National Match Survey
Statistics</span></a> for 2022 reported that 8%
of students who matched identified as East/SEA. There was no increase for the
2023 application cycle. As a minority student in the field, I am excited to be
able to be part of the future generation of diverse genetic counselors.
Although I feel invigorated to promote DEIJ and improve health outcomes for
all, I sometimes feel like a fish out of water in graduate school. To all my
fellow minority genetic counseling students, these are the ways I found a sense
of belonging and a space of support during graduate school:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Find your local community
and relationships outside of the profession.</b> Moving away to a foreign place far away from my family was a
culture shock. I often felt homesick. If I ever feel like I’m drowning in grad
school, I go to my favorite family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Being able to see others who looked like me and shared the same language
reminded me of the reason why I want to be a GC, and I found people who could
be my anchor. Creating your community, whether it be your mail carrier or the
person that cuts your hair, can end up being some of the most supportive people
outside of school. You never know where support can come from.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Connect with other minority
students and GCs. </b>I was able to meet other
racial/ethnic medical genetic professionals through the<a href="https://www.westernstatesgenetics.org/mgpn-resources/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">Minority Genetics
Professional Network</span></a>. I established a monthly
peer support Zoom call for current minority GC students and co-moderate it with
another student I met via MGPN. Other places, like #GeneChat on Twitter has
also provided me with online platforms where I can belong and relate to shared
experiences with other minority GCs and students.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Các cậu hãy nhớ nằng:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Đã từng có một phiên bản
trẻ hơn của cậu đã không nghĩ rằng cậu sẽ đến được đây vào ngày hôm nay. Nhưng
họ đang theo dõi cậu vô cùng tự hào và đầy lòng biết ơn. Vì vậy hãy tiếp tục
phát triển nhé!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tôi là Tô Liên LeAnn, sinh viên tư vấn di truyền. </span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-1051296568304702782023-04-13T11:15:00.000-07:002023-04-13T11:15:45.504-07:00My Favorite Places to Study in Oakland and Shadyside - Gopika Rajanikanth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EGCqyawFGHD2RiujInQU_NCq7F7oidABMDfMUt2gYSkloWpvXrqSjT9cmfXkYrMwneK2-lX9Ay9ltTLDVzrOVWjjHA4QTybJIMBjtwMIXWzKxQaJ3ZW-iH5T1i58dxHo0TdClilY6Wvc0I1tqS_Z-u-lEq2hs1rMCCmOvf6s522kZMdf-_nHJUYKXw/s4032/Gopika%20Rajanikanth%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EGCqyawFGHD2RiujInQU_NCq7F7oidABMDfMUt2gYSkloWpvXrqSjT9cmfXkYrMwneK2-lX9Ay9ltTLDVzrOVWjjHA4QTybJIMBjtwMIXWzKxQaJ3ZW-iH5T1i58dxHo0TdClilY6Wvc0I1tqS_Z-u-lEq2hs1rMCCmOvf6s522kZMdf-_nHJUYKXw/w212-h282/Gopika%20Rajanikanth%20.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Pitt Genetic
Counseling uses a confidence building model, so during our first year, we
mainly focus on classes. As a result, this past year, my classmates and I have
had a lot of assignments to work on and exams to prepare for. Personally, I
find it a bit difficult to focus if I am stuck in the same location for a
while, so I like to study in different libraries and coffee shops around
Oakland and Shadyside. I also went to undergrad at Pitt, so these are some of
the places I have really enjoyed studying in over the last few years as a
student in Pittsburgh.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Human
Genetics Study Rooms</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Human Genetics
department, where the genetic counseling program is housed, is located on the 3<sup>rd</sup>
floor of the Public Health building. On our floor, we have two different study
rooms for students to use. Since most of our classes are located in the Public
Health building, this is a great study space before, after, or in between
classes. The main study room has tables and white boards, which makes it a
great place to collaborate on assignments. The room also has a fridge and
microwave, so we all tend to eat our lunch in here.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The quiet
study room is right next door and is comprised of desks that have dividers, so
you can have some quiet and privacy. I have found that this is a good place to
sit if I really need to focus on something and do not want any distractions,
such as if I am working on an online quiz for class.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Divvy Coffee
& Buns<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This
coffee shop is located along Forbes Avenue, just a 3-minute walk from the
Public Health building. The interior is really cute - they have a massive
floral wall, lots of travel themed décor, and lots of tables. This is a good
place to go if you do not want to go too far from campus and maybe want to get
some food while studying. I actually spent a lot of time here last year writing
and revising my personal statement when I was applying to grad school.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hillman
Library</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is
Pitt’s main library and is a short walk from the Public Health building. The 3<sup>rd</sup>
and 4<sup>th</sup> floors were renovated a few years ago, and the 1<sup>st</sup>
and 2<sup>nd</sup> floors actually opened again earlier this semester after
renovation, so the library looks pretty modern. Something useful about Hillman
is that you can book group study rooms which can be useful for collaborating
with others or if you just need a quiet space.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Coffee
Tree Roasters - Shadyside</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This
coffee shop is located in Shadyside on Walnut Street and is a favorite of many
of my classmates. Since a lot of us live in Shadyside, this is a really
convenient place for us to meet up on weekends and get work done. Coffee Tree
Roasters is a lot bigger than a lot of the other coffee shops in the area, so
it is easier to find a place to sit. Something I really like about Coffee Tree
Roasters is that they have a closed off room in the back that is specifically
meant for studying, so it is a lot quieter compared to the rest of the
available seating.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Carnegie
Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
Carnegie Library system is the Pittsburgh public library system, and the main branch
is located in Oakland right across the street from the Cathedral of Learning. The
inside of the library is really beautiful, and if you go up to the second floor,
you will find a large room with plenty of long wooden tables and outlets,
perfect for studying. There are also massive windows and lots of natural
lighting, which makes it a more pleasant place to study. There is even a coffee
shop downstairs if you want to treat yourself to something while you study. The
Carnegie Library is honestly one of my favorite places to study, and I have
definitely influenced a lot of my cohort to come study here with me. In fact, a
few of us have made it a habit to come here every Saturday morning to get some
work done because we all feel more productive here. Sometimes after studying, I
like wandering around the fiction section downstairs and perhaps checking out a
book or two. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-33429255641332463942023-03-29T06:27:00.000-07:002023-03-29T06:27:21.537-07:00My First Genetic Test - Alex Larson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz3W_yA3UH57uBPqKbqpHC_6TFTqUt8raQUiMSEljLyv7a2W_0Du783mbM2juljgwftFzXJLOGUs4V0rbkDF4PDcTdqKQSLs8BqZSk3YRpAz4OtpySlgNwYkXlkerIYtrWBdizHIbsaZIcQ9l0-gEtfEI951mJ3F9HCi-2RJJ0eHioW4-IBOMPNUQzA/s1316/headshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz3W_yA3UH57uBPqKbqpHC_6TFTqUt8raQUiMSEljLyv7a2W_0Du783mbM2juljgwftFzXJLOGUs4V0rbkDF4PDcTdqKQSLs8BqZSk3YRpAz4OtpySlgNwYkXlkerIYtrWBdizHIbsaZIcQ9l0-gEtfEI951mJ3F9HCi-2RJJ0eHioW4-IBOMPNUQzA/s320/headshot1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><p>In a high school science club, I isolated my DNA from a saliva sample (or at least I believed I did; there was no confirmatory test done) and the concept of a genetic code firmly gripped my curiosity. How could an invisible molecule in a teensy, tiny tube dictate the construction and function of my body? And humans have the ability to read, predict, and manipulate this code? I was hooked.</p><p>Eight years later, I am thoroughly enjoying my first year of genetic counseling training and have a soft spot for a class titled “Genetic Techniques”. In this course, we are treated to lectures detailing different genetic testing methods and other molecular techniques and then get to try our hand at them in lab. Even with a background in bench research, I have learned a lot and gained immense respect for the lab technicians. The professors are thoughtful in explaining the reasoning behind each step in a protocol and are thankfully quite patient as our clumsy hands attempt to execute the experiment. While I likely will not do much pipetting after graduating, it has been incredibly valuable to gain insight into the strengths, weaknesses, and requirements of different genetic tests that I could order for a patient someday.</p><p>Additionally, and unexpectedly, the class has offered a glimpse of some psychosocial aspects of genetic testing. Spread across several labs, we isolated our DNA from blood samples, amplified a gene of interest with PCR, and confirmed successful PCR products (my high school self would have exploded with excitement). We sent our products out for Sanger sequencing and when our results returned, we combed through the reads for a single nucleotide change. In the gene ABCC11, we were looking for a variant that, when inherited from both parents, is seen in individuals with dry earwax and mildly smelly sweat as opposed to wet earwax and sweat with a typical odor. I was happy to find that not only was sequencing of my sample successful, but I have the genotype of a dry-earwaxed-and-mildly-smelly individual!</p><p>When viewing my sequencing results, I felt…excited? Proud? Why did I feel proud? I had not done anything to achieve this genotype and quite honestly, I still felt just as smelly as anyone else. I felt kind of awkward talking about my genotype with my classmates, as if it may make someone feel bad about not having the same discovery in their results. As I reflected on these silly thoughts about my single nucleotide changes, I recognized that this was my first genetic test. I had peered into my genes and, in a little way, pulled back the curtain between my lived experience and my biological blueprint. If such a goofy, insignificant test could provoke an emotional response in me, what psychosocial cartwheels await someone who has just received results of a disease-related genetic test?</p><p>While I previously understood that patient distress can be associated with genetic testing results disclosure, I had acquired a new appreciation for the weight of this information. Even when presented with biological "good news”, people may still wrestle with how to relate to their genetic make-up. As a high schooler I held deep respect for the genetic code, and my genetic counseling training has only reinforced the power of this information. I am grateful for opportunities provided by the program like “Genetic Techniques” to craft myself as a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and sincerely considerate provider.</p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-26210780152080712872023-03-15T09:37:00.000-07:002023-03-15T09:37:08.221-07:009 Things I Wish I Knew Going into GC Applications - Emily Hrach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxPej4AhGFB3LSSz_Kow3vd6vXlX-KTWbPh8aS1JJThGGaIEbC3on923uRXWdzjlXulJcVvw43fbxi09zzcgHdeC-zcemvEvws7QuS2Awud-ryqlOe24IqhMbYMgQMsfbp-a8axBaMZ_5o4iud6yuAwKAJNVOEu-nDhVlsWKywbwy6KRm0maJ6xyVTw/s595/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="595" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxPej4AhGFB3LSSz_Kow3vd6vXlX-KTWbPh8aS1JJThGGaIEbC3on923uRXWdzjlXulJcVvw43fbxi09zzcgHdeC-zcemvEvws7QuS2Awud-ryqlOe24IqhMbYMgQMsfbp-a8axBaMZ_5o4iud6yuAwKAJNVOEu-nDhVlsWKywbwy6KRm0maJ6xyVTw/s320/image001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The GC application process is a long and stressful one, and looking back there are a lot of things I wish I could’ve told myself now that I’ve been through it. Here are some of those things:</p><p></p><p>1. You do not have to be a GCA. When I was applying, I felt like everybody else was a GCA. Being a GCA is a great experience, but the vast majority of my classmates never worked as a GCA- it is not a requirement for graduate programs! These jobs are rare and competitive- I sent in dozens of GCA applications and never got an interview. I ended up getting creative with my gap-year jobs and these ended up being hugely rewarding experiences! If you’re like me and are getting rejection after rejection trying to find a GCA job, don’t sweat. There are a ton of other interesting, unique, and inspiring options out there.</p><p>2. You also do not have to work for Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line is great, but again, it is not the only option out there. If there is a specific cause or organization that you are passionate about, look into local or national organizations dedicated to the topic (I worked at a local center focused on youth housing and it was an incredible experience). Also, think about if you would prefer a text, phone, or in-person experience. Text is definitely the most convenient and accessible while phone/in-person experiences may help you get used to working with people in real time. I personally found in-person crisis management to be extremely challenging, but I learned a lot from the experience. Before setting your mind to one organization, think about what type of experience is right for you, your goals, and your schedule.</p><p>3. Check if the school wants your official or unofficial transcript!! I have a friend who forgot to check and spent a lot of money sending out her official transcripts when she didn’t have to. Don’t do that!!!</p><p>4. There is no common app. You probably already picked up on this if you’ve started applications, but if you haven’t, here is your warning: each application is separate, so be prepared to fill out a bunch of applications and ask your recommenders to submit letters to multiple different sites. This will take much longer than college applications, so be sure to plan your schedule accordingly (most of the people in my cohort started in late summer/early fall).</p><p>5. Don’t let your personal statement read like a robot wrote a resume, and give yourself lots of time to get it right. I’m speaking from personal experience here- my resume-esque first draft was boring, impersonal, and repetitive (they already had my CV!) Your personal statement is a chance to tell a story (not your whole life story, you only have a few hundred words), illuminate your personality, and show admissions directors why you are going to be an awesome GC. Writing an honest, impactful personal statement takes time, so make sure you give yourself plenty.</p><p>6. It’s okay to not be a genetics expert. This is what graduate school is for! It’s okay if you can’t name all the conditions on PA’s newborn screening panel or calculate residual risk after a negative CF carrier screening test. Some interviews have questions about cases, but the goal is for the interviewer to see how you think rather than test you. Don’t study for your interviews, but be prepared to think logically and articulate your thought process. Disclaimer: I obviously did not interview at every school, so I don’t know for a fact that this is true everywhere, but this was my experience and the experience of everyone I have talked to :)</p><p>7. Interviewers are really just people. Seriously. I actually had a lot of fun in my interviews. Don’t get me wrong- it was super nerve-racking, but I ended up having a lot of really informative and interesting conversations. Remember that you are talking to real people who do this job, at least in part, because they enjoy talking to students. You talk to people everyday, and interviewers are just more people to talk to. Take a deep breath, you can do it.</p><p>8. Have a couple really solid answers to common interview questions prepared- each school will ask different questions, and it’s going to be impossible to predict all of them. Some questions, however, are pretty standard (this is true for job interviews, too!) You’ll probably get questions like “tell me about yourself” and “why genetic counseling”. Take some time to think about these questions and find honest answers. If someone asks why you want to be a GC, you’ll probably want an answer that goes beyond just saying that you like science and helping people- dig deep and figure out why you really want to do GC. I’d recommend practicing your responses to these kinds of questions in advance (Katie Lee CGC on YouTube has some really good videos about this).</p><p>9. All the cheesy ones- don’t focus on what other people are doing, take care of your mental health, and remind yourself that this experience does not define you. Think of the things that have helped you get through stressful periods in the past and do those things again. Take deep breaths, prioritize your sleep, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your loved ones and/or a professional. Good luck, you’ve got this!</p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-1434279933057375672023-02-10T10:09:00.003-08:002023-02-10T10:09:59.447-08:00Genetic Counseling Assistant Experience - Grace Waldow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghIB_Mrf5xeCrlfx5bb6kbh2vKEl_UJfqyWttcjwcsuPrhMsmjQXnBI91Nrn5JaeHjgKbAlXXRz65B4wNFEvgWCrWvsWVK7SLIOO-ToXh9fdlBG7zx8OMPg8lqzqGMO7eEqvN5Lrn_eKkWwTQkjp5GqVLjzXDoYnrJ7ywf6uSrHkO4BRR2Fi7pOmOzQ/s3419/FullSizeRender%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3419" data-original-width="2564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghIB_Mrf5xeCrlfx5bb6kbh2vKEl_UJfqyWttcjwcsuPrhMsmjQXnBI91Nrn5JaeHjgKbAlXXRz65B4wNFEvgWCrWvsWVK7SLIOO-ToXh9fdlBG7zx8OMPg8lqzqGMO7eEqvN5Lrn_eKkWwTQkjp5GqVLjzXDoYnrJ7ywf6uSrHkO4BRR2Fi7pOmOzQ/s320/FullSizeRender%20(3).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I work as a genetic counseling assistant (GCA) at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and I
think this experience has been one of the most formative in my decision to pursue genetic
counseling. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for my undergraduate degree and graduated in
2022, and then began my time as a student in the genetic counseling program here at Pitt the
same year. I have worked as a GCA since October 2020 and have had many different roles
within my position, as it has evolved with the needs of the clinic I work for. </p><p>Originally, my responsibilities were very similar to that of a traditional GCA role. The clinic
included five genetic counselors, and so I helped them call patients about insurance
authorization, obtain medical records, mail letters and scripts, and track test results. In addition,
the genetic counselors also had a utilization management role. Utilization management involves
working with providers and genetic testing labs to ensure that appropriate genetic tests are
ordered and that these tests are cost and time efficient. As a GCA, this means that a critical part
of my role includes managing a database of genetic testing ordered in the hospital, and tracking
certain types of tests for results and subsequent disclosures. Over time, the clinic has been
restructured and now primarily has a laboratory role. Since I mostly work with the genetic testing
database, I am able to be a part of several different research projects through the clinic. For
example, I researched hearing loss panels ordered through the clinic and presented these
findings with a genetic counselor to the Audiology department at the hospital. Currently, I am
helping in a project that looks at the utility of whole exome sequencing in an inpatient setting. I
hope to continue my work in the utilization management space, and am planning to pursue a
related project for my thesis. </p><p>I have learned a lot and gained many skills from my time as a GCA. Before working at the
Children’s Hospital, I had limited experience interacting with patients or genetic counselors.
However, I have now had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of patients and shadow several
genetic counselors in different types of appointments. In addition, I have learned a lot about
genetic testing methods and have become familiar with genetic tests that are commonly ordered
in a pediatric setting. Working as a GCA is also interesting because I am able to see and
experience parts of a genetic counselor’s job outside of direct patient care – and there are a lot!
For example, genetic counselors work with insurance companies to get testing approved for
their patients, coordinate genetic testing with providers, work through challenging cases with
their fellow genetic counselors, and lead research projects about genetic testing. </p><p>Although having a work position as a student is a considerable time commitment, it is an
invaluable addition to the process of becoming a genetic counselor. My time as a GCA has
allowed me to gain confidence in talking to patients, learn how to navigate clinical information,
and nicely complements my coursework where I learn about genetics and genetic counseling. I
am excited to continue in this position, and would recommend the experience to anyone
interested in the field!</p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-51293558923756988672023-01-30T08:23:00.000-08:002023-01-30T08:23:22.366-08:00Entering Grad School with Different Work and Education Background - Gabi Slizewska<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPsVKvrg8BsAARtq1VfihZnILb7KN6r-mLoFtK3I9uptpGCYGNgcvugjTeLfBDB8vL7Crf7GJM3UM5wusdhEsBVGaKrRqLL_YruoUEpCXdmjIsoLI380ADpiG1BTyjBZV1mCNGetx2ubvRGTKTgKiwdOQuEdHmfIbuNaq_ssS5MMKNFUrXx15RSsCMA/s1170/IMG7220203479598518997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="936" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPsVKvrg8BsAARtq1VfihZnILb7KN6r-mLoFtK3I9uptpGCYGNgcvugjTeLfBDB8vL7Crf7GJM3UM5wusdhEsBVGaKrRqLL_YruoUEpCXdmjIsoLI380ADpiG1BTyjBZV1mCNGetx2ubvRGTKTgKiwdOQuEdHmfIbuNaq_ssS5MMKNFUrXx15RSsCMA/w190-h238/IMG7220203479598518997.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Applying to graduate genetic counseling programs can be incredibly overwhelming. It is a very lengthy, expensive, and stressful process. Unfortunately, spots are limited and many qualified candidates are unable to secure a spot. With all this in mind, it’s easy to understand why many prospective students focus on perfecting their resume. I remember scouring the internet for the best resources and hounding current genetic counseling students for advice. However, my resume was far from perfect, and I couldn’t help but worry that I was never going to match with a program. Now, as a first year student, I am finally starting to realize that a good candidate does not have to fit a certain mold.</p><p>We all need to meet certain academic requirements to qualify for a program, but you don’t need to have all A’s. In fact, it’s even okay if you failed a class or two the first time around. I did! Just because you struggle with a certain class, doesn’t mean you’re not intelligent enough or cut out for this field. STEM courses are difficult for many of us, and life can sometimes make academic success even more challenging.</p><p>I also remember focusing on checking off the boxes in terms of experiences; getting the right job, the same opportunities, and the same experiences as everyone else. One example of this is research. The truth is, I came into this program with no research experience. I was very open about this during interviews, and during the start of the program. The program leadership has been very understanding about this, and I’ve received a ton of support and guidance as I began brainstorming ideas for my thesis project.</p><p>Another area where I struggled was in obtaining counseling experience. Unfortunately, with the onset of the pandemic, many in-person opportunities became scarce and online opportunities became over-saturated with volunteers. There are a few organizations that are particularly popular with applicants, but they became exceedingly difficult to get in touch with. It is perfectly fine to look for other options and to explore opportunities that are local to you! Having unique experiences may even make you stand out more against other applicants!</p><p>Lastly, I spent a lot of time searching for a GCA position. It seemed that just about every current student I talked to had one. I was very anxious about the fact that I did not have this experience on my resume. What I learned is that a GCA position is a very good experience to have on your resume, but it is absolutely not necessary. There aren’t a lot of these positions available, and even fewer in rural areas. Program leadership knows this! There are lots of other ways to learn more about the field. Talk to genetic counselors, talk to current students, talk to program leadership, and look into online resources. There are also plenty of other job opportunities that relate to patient care, counseling, or education. Not to mention, it is perfectly okay to work in an unrelated field, as long as you can learn something applicable to genetic counseling. This can even be something like leadership or communication skills!</p><p>What I want to convey is that it really does not matter if your resume looks just like mine or any other genetic counseling student’s. Focus on doing things that you are passionate about, and make sure that passion comes through in your personal statement and during interviews. I was so happy to meet my cohort and learn that they all came from different backgrounds and with many unique experiences. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, but what we discovered is that we all complement each other. There really is some sort of magic involved when this program’s leadership makes their choices during the match process!</p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-55057539571128502742022-11-30T08:35:00.000-08:002022-11-30T08:35:21.136-08:00Faculty Spotlight: Christine Munro<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFcn8ZddMYdktNCADCGZ0yvb6ribbPX5VY5JLvFhGOYN8pICbuWaZKNde32D_yJ4B_dNzHdMqYsFjgnFZgnP8IlgzxWbJMfzwUM7nfe4JsBtf24RKd4kcFF3tO3-9SRVdxgS07QZ40DhyC1rFyMiiso8-Iap1rwO08qI6cnqiM75Oyb3HY0Gyp7oFl1g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFcn8ZddMYdktNCADCGZ0yvb6ribbPX5VY5JLvFhGOYN8pICbuWaZKNde32D_yJ4B_dNzHdMqYsFjgnFZgnP8IlgzxWbJMfzwUM7nfe4JsBtf24RKd4kcFF3tO3-9SRVdxgS07QZ40DhyC1rFyMiiso8-Iap1rwO08qI6cnqiM75Oyb3HY0Gyp7oFl1g" width="192" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Christine serves as the Director of Recruitment and Admissions at the Pitt Genetic Counseling Program and as a genetic counselor with the UPMC Primary Care Precision Medicine Clinic. We asked her some questions about her and her role, and here are her responses.</p><p><u>1. How did you find out about genetic counseling?</u></p><p>During my undergraduate degree, genetic counseling was briefly brought up in a genetics class. After doing some research on my own it truly felt like the perfect merge of my interests but I had always thought I would apply for a public health degree as my next step. When I learned of the University of Pittsburgh’s dual degree option in Public Health Genetics and Genetic Counseling, I could not have been more excited and knew that is where I wanted to land.</p><p><u>2. What does your current role in the program entail?</u></p><p>My current role is Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the Genetic Counseling program. I lead the holistic applicant review process with the program’s admissions committee and develop recruitment strategies. I am also involved with students through research mentorship and I work as a clinical site supervisor in our Primary Care Precision Medicine rotation.</p><p><u>3. What made you decide to work to develop the Primary Care Precision Medicine Clinic? What is the mission of this clinic?</u></p><p>The Primary Care Precision Medicine clinic was created to bridge a current gap in genetic service delivery. There is an increasing awareness and uptake of genetic testing and Primary Care clinics find themselves at the forefront of genetic risk assessment and appropriate triage but physicians have expressed a lack of confidence in their genetics knowledge. Genetic counselors (GC) embedded in primary care is one potential solution to scale genetic services. When we take a look at the services that primary care physicians (PCP) provide in areas like preventative care, prescription management, routine screenings, prenatal care, newborn care, and chronic disease management, there is a great deal of overlap and connection with subspecialty genetic services such as risk assessment, pharmacogenomics, cancer risk assessment, prenatal carrier screening and testing, newborn screening, and polygenic risk scores. This highlights the potential for a complimentary relationship between PCPs and GCs. Additionally, individuals will have genetic needs throughout their lives and a single genetics visit is unlikely to be enough. There are multiple points where an individual might require genetics care and this unique clinic model allows for that follow-up loop. Lastly, we know there are barriers to appointments and disparities in referral practices. This clinic model has the potential to decrease logistical barriers, meet patient’s where they are at, ensure appropriate referrals for all, decrease wait times for specialty clinics and reduce costs for specialty appointments. The goal of this clinic is not only to scale genetic services but to improve equitable access to these services. I am very proud to work with such an amazing and innovative team. I am also so happy our genetic counseling students get an opportunity to rotate with us in this unique space.</p><p><u>4. What does your role in clinic look like?</u></p><p>In my clinical role, I work with a multidisciplinary team seeing patients for a variety of indications. We also work on research projects and genetics education initiatives for physicians.</p><p><u>5. What is your favorite part of your job?</u></p><p>It is really difficult to choose one “favorite” thing about my job so I will list a few: the field of genetics is constantly evolving which is stimulating, the ability to mentor students and witness their progress and contributions is so rewarding, and lastly the opportunity to guide and advocate for patients and families during a difficult time is extremely fulfilling work.</p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-8327439764037679282022-11-14T09:22:00.000-08:002022-11-14T09:22:36.116-08:00Michelle Takemoto Leadership Seminar Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeocTRbeM9qrxqqR2XMy4s03mA94YfUBDftgfcRMhx6ZWUKJRWaQtQHt-UT9sT2RGnBRjHpNW-NEkQVDYaDjTYhtRCNrwCyWBhfu6DVrswYd6bk-kJ0XhrDur9plWWo2MEgkqDt3-ciUCyReJtrJwAvCTvP32bqK-RKLNejaPOqZdwIJQqlVauKIZbg/s1600/IMG_20221104_134320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pitt Genetic Counseling students and Michelle Takemoto are pictured with a mosaic background" border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeocTRbeM9qrxqqR2XMy4s03mA94YfUBDftgfcRMhx6ZWUKJRWaQtQHt-UT9sT2RGnBRjHpNW-NEkQVDYaDjTYhtRCNrwCyWBhfu6DVrswYd6bk-kJ0XhrDur9plWWo2MEgkqDt3-ciUCyReJtrJwAvCTvP32bqK-RKLNejaPOqZdwIJQqlVauKIZbg/w349-h262/IMG_20221104_134320.jpg" title="Michelle Takemoto, center, and Pitt GC students and leadership" width="349" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Michelle Takemoto, a genetic counselor with the Hawaii Department of Health and MGPN coordinator, spoke to our students on November 4 about a broad range of topics as part of our Leadership Seminar Series. Our students reflected on her talk:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am thankful that I had the opportunity to meet Michelle and listen to her phenomenal presentation about public health genetics. It was great to learn about her own personal journey to genetic counseling and how she became a leader in the field. From working on projects that increase accessibility to genetic services for underserved populations to starting the Minority Genetic Professionals Network, I am incredibly appreciative of all the work she has put in to advocate for marginalized identities. From one member of MGPN to another, thank you for providing me with a community of shared experiences and a sense of belonging in the profession! - <i>Leann To</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am so grateful that we all got to meet Michelle for our leadership seminar! It was interesting to hear how her work ties in both genetic counseling and public health, and learn more about the genetics services in Hawaii. As a member of the Minority Genetics Professional Network, I was excited to learn more about her role in the creation of the organization and how she envisions its future. It was inspiring to see how passionate she is about serving underserved populations and advocating for underrepresented minorities in genetic counseling. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to talk to one of the leaders in the field, and I am looking forward to hearing her speak at NSGC! - <i>Impana Shetty</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was so awesome to hear from Michelle for our leadership seminar! She really brought forth a lot of barriers that need to be addressed in the field of genetic counseling, but also talked a lot about the intersection between public health and genetic counseling. It was wonderful to hear from a GC who plays a role in her local public health initiatives, which as a dual degree student was so inspiring because she is doing the dream that so many dual degree students want to accomplish. She was so real with us about our goals and I honestly loved her advice of making space for ourselves in these public health spaces, because GC’s are needed there. It was fantastic to have Michelle come speak with us and I cannot wait to hear her talk at NSGC. – <i>Samantha Runa</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Meeting Michelle has been one of the biggest highlights of my graduate career thus far. She shared not only her immensely important perspectives on inspiring and growing inclusivity within the field, but also connected with us all on the importance of the interplay between public health and genetics (specifically, the importance of building relationships). This talk could not have come at a better time in my journey to becoming a genetic counselor. I felt like I learned so much about how to better expand my own opportunities as well as how to become involved in making the field more equitable. Her talk at NSGC is going to be incredible, and I’m so thankful to have gotten to know her on a more personal level. - <i>Ariel Breeze</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What a refreshing experience. I appreciated the straightforward and genuine presentation given by Michelle, having firmly planted feet in both public health and genetic counseling worlds. It was a privilege to speak with her about inequities in healthcare, and it has lit a fire in myself to do my part. I am looking into the Minority Genetics Professional Network to connect with other professionals and hopefully make a difference. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you at NSGC! - <i>Daniel Brennsteiner</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I appreciated hearing the perspective of a genetic counselor outside the "bubble" of Pittsburgh. Hearing about Michelle’s journey to genetic counseling and her passion for the field was energizing. She touched on the intersection between public health and genetic counseling, which is helpful and inspiring to a dual degree student like myself. Newborn screening processes and accessibility of testing sites/clinics are things we may take for granted in places like Pittsburgh. Working on an island like Hawaii, Michelle has had to be flexible and advocate for patients and counselors alike. Hearing first-hand how I can be a leader in the field using both my degrees adds focus to a world of opportunity. - <i>Megan Zieber</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Michelle gave a wonderful talk in Leadership Seminar that included her role in MGPN and the incredible work they do to connect underrepresented minorities in the genetic counseling profession to each other. She addressed some important barriers that genetics services in Hawaii face and described some ways to move forward. I appreciated the time she took to speak with us at different points throughout the day. She was so down-to-earth, and I cannot wait to hear her speak at NSGC! - <i>Rebecca Oberschmidt</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was wonderful having Michelle as our Leadership Seminar speaker. Her talk was compelling and motivating. I enjoyed hearing about her roles with MGPN and Regional Genetics Networks. Most interesting to me was her work in telegenetics training and increasing access to genetic services. Michelle and I had a conversation after her talk about some of the many barriers to genetic services, including the ways in which telegenetics is not always the answer. Looking forward to hearing more from Michelle at NSGC and in the future! - <i>Madalyn Charnego </i></p><div><br /></div>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-47705674197754682382022-10-11T16:42:00.002-07:002022-10-11T16:42:48.746-07:00Student Spotlight - Daniel Brennsteiner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhool8v3KrYk988KkTay57rRIsdgQkZ72_JdN51huZ3bB7sQWuJgDYd9OriL474FqwgAMxzHBDBfvbwwGiDRCADBncJiPynibuWGM9q_FK-2Y0zzrN4_Q_D5v0srASF8_8E1hBp-EDopsyI0xrslwCcmjEfwptMadSF9j8u5eeOH_Qdj2Fzc8_wczs4g/s1376/dan%20brennsteiner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhool8v3KrYk988KkTay57rRIsdgQkZ72_JdN51huZ3bB7sQWuJgDYd9OriL474FqwgAMxzHBDBfvbwwGiDRCADBncJiPynibuWGM9q_FK-2Y0zzrN4_Q_D5v0srASF8_8E1hBp-EDopsyI0xrslwCcmjEfwptMadSF9j8u5eeOH_Qdj2Fzc8_wczs4g/s320/dan%20brennsteiner.jpeg" width="236" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Returning to school as a graduate student? Feeling a little rusty? Perhaps you have fresh notecards kept safe and pristine in a location you forgot all about. Locate your supplies and gather your courage. Strap yourself in because grad school is a long rollercoaster ride with many bumps, turns, and fancy new inversions. This blog post contains pieces of advice for incoming genetic counseling students who share similar concerns of transitioning to grad school after having gap years.</p><p></p><p>For context purposes, I am currently a dual degree-seeking student, projected to graduate this year with both an MS in Genetic Counseling degree and an MPH with a specialization in Genetics degree. I took five years off after undergrad due to various reasons, one including a profession change. That story, however, is for an entirely separate blog post.</p><p></p><p>First off, you are not alone. Feeling nervous about returning to school with or without gap years is perfectly normal. Though genetic counseling programs tend to be smaller, ranging between 3 and 30 students, someone in your cohort will relate to you on some level. The field of genetic counseling is filled with professionals that would readily hear your trepidations. Debrief with them. I would recommend reaching out to your fellow genetic counseling students and leadership. Allow them to listen and share with you their own perspectives and advice surrounding this major lifestyle adjustment.</p><p></p><p>Those preserved notecards will come in handy, be sure of it. However, be prepared to adapt to your graduate level courses and adjust accordingly. What do I mean by that? Times have most likely changed since you walked across the stage dressed in your cap and gown. Studying methods from previous undergraduate courses may not be as effective now. Anecdotally, I can remember holding on to my archaic handwritten notetaking ways throughout my first year as a grad student, exhaustively attempting to keep up with energetic genetic professors and boundless PowerPoint presentations. Let go of your pride and adapt your studying techniques to best fit each class and do this early. The sooner you adapt, the easier your life will be. Second-year genetic counseling students will have their own thoughts on which methods worked best.</p><p></p><p>Adapting to the workload of a graduate student is just as important, and time management is key. You have an advantage. After undergrad, you most likely entered the work force bright eyed and bushy tailed. Treat genetic counseling school like a 9AM-5PM job. You know what it’s like to wake up, make breakfast, work, eat lunch, work through the tryptophan, and head home. Going back to sporadic college schedules might include having odd breaks throughout the days and evenings. Temptations to nap throughout these days and putting work off will be thrust upon you. Sticking to that workday mindset can help maintain healthy sleep schedules and sanity while managing your workload and life balance as a genetic counseling student.</p><p></p><p>Lastly, imposter syndrome exists, and it exists in everyone. That feeling of doubting your own abilities can overtake your mind and consume. Knowing that others in your cohort experience similar thoughts can help normalize your own. Share your thoughts and feelings, you are in safe company. Remember, getting into the genetic counseling program is proof enough that you are fully capable of succeeding in your program and afterwards as a practicing genetic counselor. Hold on to that achievement - you can do this!</p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-63367971553309292882022-08-30T10:09:00.000-07:002022-08-30T10:09:01.524-07:00Inpatient Genetic Counseling - Glenna Noska<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrYiVrt0S9ilVWhQqFk3v85mAXqaEqs69CcWRylZ3xuqkmJmk-XQHQM4cAIxEGqdTjBFl9308R8kdmGByYQPGfLf9isWvK1LY5eazXvnSaPVEUChhnpOayJMlZ5DNbleWhLSlKVnbTHKbTZ4opoN1IkrwZdzF3Xc8TLNW4G5Am3z1BQZ8Z1fph32JkA/s4032/glenna%20noska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrYiVrt0S9ilVWhQqFk3v85mAXqaEqs69CcWRylZ3xuqkmJmk-XQHQM4cAIxEGqdTjBFl9308R8kdmGByYQPGfLf9isWvK1LY5eazXvnSaPVEUChhnpOayJMlZ5DNbleWhLSlKVnbTHKbTZ4opoN1IkrwZdzF3Xc8TLNW4G5Am3z1BQZ8Z1fph32JkA/w192-h256/glenna%20noska.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">When I first learned about genetic counseling during my last semester of nursing school, I was only aware of the three core outpatient specialty areas within the profession: prenatal, pediatrics, and cancer. It wasn’t until entering genetic counseling graduate school that I learned of the many subspecialty areas in the field. I wasn’t aware, for example, that inpatient genetic counseling even existed, let alone the possibility that I may really enjoy it. But after having the opportunity to spend time in inpatient during my pediatric clinical rotation, that’s exactly what happened.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">According to an article published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling in 2021, Characterization of Genetic Counselor practices in inpatient care settings, over 130 genetic counselors (GCs) provide care in the inpatient setting. However, the exact number of inpatient GCs is unknown (Magness et al., 2021). For comparison, according to the National Society of Genetic Counselors 2022 professional status survey, the number of certified genetic counselors in the United States as of April 2021 is 5,629 (National Society of Genetic Counselors, 2022). But despite the relatively small number of GCs working in inpatient, there is no denying how valuable of a role they play as part of the patient care team. Among the many roles they provide, having inpatient GCs increases patients' access to genetic services and testing and provides patients at the bedside with valuable support and continuity of care. Their genetic knowledge and expertise also guide healthcare providers and helps ensure the most appropriate genetic tests are being ordered. Having inpatient genetic counselors’ benefits patients and their families and the healthcare system as a whole.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">As genetic counseling students at Pitt, we have 9-week clinical rotations in prenatal, cancer, and pediatrics, which includes two weeks with the inpatient pediatric GCs at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). During my pediatric rotation, I observed inpatient clinical rounds with the Geneticist and was given the opportunity to provide patients with pre/post-test counseling, genetics education, result disclosures, and psychosocial counseling.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I found my time in inpatient to be challenging, given the reduced preparation time as compared to outpatient, but also incredibly rewarding for its fast pace and multidisciplinary approach. I enjoyed having to think quickly on my feet and loved the opportunity to provide one-on-one counseling to patients at the bedside.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Still, my experience inpatient was only two weeks. For more insight into what it means to be an inpatient GC, I spoke to two from CHP who have been at it much longer than I have: Leslie Cyprych, LCGC, and Linford Williams, LCGC. Here’s what they had to say about inpatient genetic counseling:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>What is an average day like for you as an inpatient genetic counselor?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Linford: Day to day on inpatient varies so much. Often it includes seeing around 1-2 new consults or new patients (on average), checking in on some patients you've seen earlier who are still admitted to discuss their thoughts on the recommended genetic testing, speaking to families about genetic testing results.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Throughout every day we're communicating with various other hospital teams as well such as ICU teams (ex – NICU, PICU), specialty teams (ex – cardiology, neurology) or general pediatrics teams.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">Leslie: The genetic inpatient genetic counselors are the "first call" for genetics from 8a-4pm, so we carry a pager and a cell phone and triage calls throughout the day. Whenever a team in the hospital thinks their patient could have a genetic condition they page us, we prep the chart, and go see the patient. From there, it's pretty similar to an outpatient genetics appointment… you're just usually standing up at a patient's bedside rather than sitting across a table from them. We work alongside our geneticists to make sure the patient gets appropriate testing and counseling for whatever the concern is that has them admitted to the hospital.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">We also field calls from all sorts of other folks who might be paging the Genetics service… Pediatricians and other doctors who have questions, labs with urgent results (like an abnormal newborn screen), and families who need to speak with a geneticist immediately.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">In any time that I'm not actively seeing a new patient or handling incoming calls, I follow up on patients who have left the hospital by doing results disclosures, writing notes, and helping to get them established with our outpatient team for follow-up.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>What is your favorite part of being an inpatient genetic counselor?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Linford: There are two aspects of this role which I enjoy a lot. One is the flexibility in terms of time you get to spend with a patient/their family. Unlike outpatient, we're not necessarily bound by any schedule, so we're able to meet with families for as long as or as many times as they need to fully process our discussions. There are many families that I've met several times to talk through their thoughts on genetic testing or any abnormal results for their child. I often find that I'm able to build much more rapport and meaningful relationships with inpatient families because of this.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Second is the variety. Every day on inpatient is different from the next. By nature of the position, you get exposed to numerous patient indications, diagnoses (common and rare), and different situations that families are in. It both keeps you engaged and grows your skillset quickly.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">Leslie: I love the teamwork aspect of inpatient care. I interact daily with so many different specialists, nurses, dieticians, social workers, and more. I have learned so much in this position and have made so many wonderful professional connections.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">I also really appreciate the opportunity to work with this specific patient population. It's a real privilege to be able to support families during such a vulnerable experience.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>What is the most challenging aspect of being an inpatient genetic counselor?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Linford: The most challenging part is balancing all the demands on busy days and determining what can and can't be done in a day. Triaging each family's needs can be difficult because every patient and family we see is in some level of crisis that they haven't necessarily been in before. It's natural to be empathetic to each situation and hard to sometimes not try and do it all to not overwork yourself.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">Leslie: Time management for sure! Since the inpatient genetic counselors are the first ones who get calls throughout the day, it's our job to triage a lot of the workflow for the day. For example, if you get more than one consult in a day, you need to be able to decide which one you're going to work up and see first. All while your pager keeps going off! It's one big rolling to-do list!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>What advice would you give to students wishing to pursue a career in inpatient genetic counseling?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Linford: Inpatient genetic counseling is an evolving field and looks different across each institution and specialty. Sometimes the breadth of the role is also determined based on the administrative support of the institution.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">The newly formed inpatient SIG is a great place to start getting some information about the ins and outs of inpatient genetic counseling across the specialties. Otherwise, I would advise purposefully seeking out positions which have some aspect of inpatient in the job description or advocate for that role when interviewing.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;">Finally, although you can never be fully prepared for what inpatient can throw at you, I would also advise starting with outpatient as a new grad (at least some of the time) to have a good foundation. Inpatient often involves quickly applying a knowledge base of genetic conditions as well as some of the ins and outs of the hospital you're working at to be the most successful, both of which come with some work experience. In an outpatient setting, this knowledge can be gained in a less time-sensitive manner.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">Leslie: Try to get exposure to the specialty. We are very lucky at Pitt that inpatient experience is built into the pediatric rotation. I'm not sure I would have ever known this was a possibility if I hadn't had been part of Pitt's training program.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;">Other ways to get exposure would be to seek out inpatient counselors (ex: on the NSGC website), and joining the inpatient special interest group (SIG) within NSGC. The inpatient SIG is fairly new, but it has been a wonderful connection to other inpatient GCs so that we can share experiences and grow the specialty. The SIG also has a lecture series, which is great!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">According to Magness et al. (2021), of the genetic counselors who work in the inpatient setting, 50% had not had exposure to inpatient genetic counseling during their graduate education. Gaining exposure to inpatient genetic counseling introduced me to a specialty area I didn't know existed, and it is a specialty I can see myself pursuing. Without this opportunity, I don't think I would have known that, and I am incredibly grateful that, as a student at Pitt, I had this unique opportunity.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to thank the Pitt GC program and the CHP pediatric genetics department staff, including the genetic counselors and physicians. I also want to thank Linford and Leslie for their willingness to provide their time and insight into this unique specialty.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Link to Inpatient Genetic Counseling SIG for more information:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.nsgc.org/Members/Special-Interest-Groups-SIGs/Inpatient-SIG">https://www.nsgc.org/Members/Special-Interest-Groups-SIGs/Inpatient-SIG</a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">References:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Magness, E., Magoulas, P., Moscarello, T., Ma, D., Helm, B. M., & Mizerik, E. (2021). Characterization of genetic counselor practices in inpatient care settings. Journal of Genetic Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1401</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">National Society of Genetic Counselors. (2022). NSGC > Policy, Research and Publications > Professional Status Survey. Www.nsgc.org. https://www.nsgc.org/Policy-Research-and-Publications/Professional-Status-Survey</span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-14428387846004723772022-08-06T11:18:00.001-07:002022-08-06T11:18:31.112-07:00Student Spotlight - Kate Cioffi<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV0JqjSK729y19RJ58KNUMFN5M_tsWqCXKFqVPUJTmwkFiNFOiT2fX46rv_qUd6IZzZQTIkk9VupluUesSJ5qyQ9Q2pxjwMAehynxJcwALGrm5kEfjtSxmGRYEyFivtsDHaWQYZOOfns-r9iFTwN2ml-0-EYtev1Lfm3Q5qh8HfX98YR1UB30sjSPag/s544/kate%20cioffi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="544" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV0JqjSK729y19RJ58KNUMFN5M_tsWqCXKFqVPUJTmwkFiNFOiT2fX46rv_qUd6IZzZQTIkk9VupluUesSJ5qyQ9Q2pxjwMAehynxJcwALGrm5kEfjtSxmGRYEyFivtsDHaWQYZOOfns-r9iFTwN2ml-0-EYtev1Lfm3Q5qh8HfX98YR1UB30sjSPag/s320/kate%20cioffi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a year of coursework, my classmates and I were eager to begin our clinical rotations. My first rotation block was in cancer genetics, a specialty that is particularly dear to me as I am a Genetic Counseling Assistant at the UPMC Hereditary GI Tumor Program. Although there is always a level of anxiety that comes with starting something new (the transition from didactics to clinicals is certainly a significant one!), I learned an incredible amount in just nine weeks.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;">During the rotation, students split their time between the UPMC hospital system and Allegheny Health Network. This serves to enrich the student experience as it enables us to be exposed to a variety of counseling styles, patient populations, and indications. It’s also valuable to observe how processes and workflows differ between health systems, especially given the fact that students will likely be spread throughout the country after graduation.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Students start small by initially taking on certain parts of the session and working their way up to complete the entire session by their fifth week. Though this may sound fast, with the support and feedback from supervising genetic counselors, this goal is more than attainable. In my nine weeks on the rotation, I saw patients with a variety of indications beyond those that are considered more typical for a cancer genetics clinic, like Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer. I counseled patients with suspected conditions ranging from Gorlin syndrome to Von Hippel Lindau disease. Students also spend three days in the Hereditary GI Tumor Program, gaining additional experience with hereditary GI cancer syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis. There, we also observe the physician, Dr. Randall Brand, work with patients to gain a broader perspective of these patients’ clinical care.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another important aspect of the rotation are the weekly clinical case reviews, wherein counselors and students present their upcoming cases. We discuss plans for each patient and get input from the team regarding differentials, testing approaches, and more. I found this helpful in improving the way I communicate with other providers and learning to identify the most critical parts of a case for review.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In all, I really enjoyed my time on the rotation. I appreciated being able to work with many different genetic counselors and glean bits of wisdom from each. It was rewarding to be able to work with so many different patients, who all had different stories and motivations for coming in to see us. Though I consider cancer genetics to be a bit of a “safe space” for me given my background, I’m excited to begin my rotations in other specialties and learn everything I can from the amazing genetic counselors we have in Pittsburgh!</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-71284933237041767072022-07-15T12:21:00.000-07:002022-07-15T12:21:46.316-07:00Student Spotlight - Samantha Runa<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuUDcSykW919ERo_mB5kCqWOnleIHlfVNRHMm4YEemAbsDnfx2gcdzx0F9u5Db94r912DE359geiTeFE6Id_3owiJW58GbLB0ZA-YNbADLBga-92IG-xhxVAmgDEcMALAu0P3bKt41yuhzSIaxmt9PhAuEcI7vkplpDPVHQadpWsvMBpxrfRr2gLuNg/s903/sam%20runa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuUDcSykW919ERo_mB5kCqWOnleIHlfVNRHMm4YEemAbsDnfx2gcdzx0F9u5Db94r912DE359geiTeFE6Id_3owiJW58GbLB0ZA-YNbADLBga-92IG-xhxVAmgDEcMALAu0P3bKt41yuhzSIaxmt9PhAuEcI7vkplpDPVHQadpWsvMBpxrfRr2gLuNg/s320/sam%20runa.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">A study done in 2018 noted that
graduate students are 6 times more likely to suffer from mental health issues
than the general population, and being a part of that cohort, it is really no
surprise. With an average age at about 28, many are balancing school, family,
work, and overall life while also trying to maintain good grades and attaining the
goals set out by their individual program. A time where students should be
celebrating their accomplishments and drive for trying to achieve their goals
can be overshadowed quickly under the mounds of responsibility and stress that
comes with their dream program.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Genetic counseling is no exception
to the rule. As many will tell you, the stress begins with applications and for
many that get in, it continues into the first and second year. Establishing
support and boundaries is key when you take your first step into the world of
being a genetic counseling student. I struggled for so long in undergrad
without help that I thought once I moved on into graduate school, I figured
that I would be fine. </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I survived the first time, so I should easily survive
this time.</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> However, surviving isn’t what you want to do in grad school, you
want to thrive. You achieved so much to get where you are that hating every
moment, dreading school, dreading social encounters, isn’t a sustainable way to
continue throughout your two (or more) years.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The past two years of graduate
school, I have learned so much about how to both put my mental health first and
strive to thrive as a budding genetic counselor.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Set Time Boundaries for yourself</b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> It is so easy to spend hours upon hours studying, prepping, and/or doing
homework. And it is easy to spend hours upon hours binging Netflix all day.
Everything is perfect in moderation and a skill I started doing to give me more
agency in my life and to alleviate stress is to set boundaries for myself of
when I want to accomplish things and listening to my body/brain when rest is
required. I have learned that being on campus is where I will accomplish most
of my work, so going to study 2 hours before class time is key. I have also
learned that I need to relax a couple of hours after being in clinic all day,
so if I spent a couple hours watching something, I can better relax for
studying later in the evening. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Both Thank and Forgive yourself</b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Struggling with anxiety has really forced me to address my body and my brain as
separate entities that I am not at war with. Anytime I get a panic attack I try
(and sometimes fail) to not focus on the why, but sit and thank my brain and
body for trying to protect me. And in the same tone, if I decide that I cannot
focus on homework for the day and really just need the time to read a book, I
work on forgiving myself and not spending hours going through self-loathing
spirals. As weird as it sounds, this simple task has provided validation for my
feelings and provided me the space to learn that the anxiety I feel is a part
of me that I am not trying to hide and get rid of, but rather something that is
always a part of me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> 3.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><b>Find a therapist that you Enjoy and Utilize
your School’s Resources</b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> </b>None of the above would be working for me if I didn’t seek outside help
first. When I began my spiral, I couldn’t even leave my house, and it took me a
bit to realize that I couldn’t survive this on my own this time. We are very
fortunate at Pitt to have mental health resources that are free to students,
and that includes meeting with a therapist. My therapist is an amazing human
being that has helped me move from crying everyday before class to going out
with friends on a regular basis. I know that seeking help is difficult, but my
suggestion is to look at your school’s mental health resources before you
start, and get yourself set up with a therapist you enjoy. Asking for help is
the scariest first step, but it is the most necessary one.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Do Self Care … whatever that means for you</b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Although I would love to say I like my alone
time, I find myself thriving after spending time with friends. At the same
time, I love to be able to take an hour-long bath and watch a movie with
candles going. There are also weekends that I choose to spend 4 hours cleaning
my whole apartment, because the process is so cathartic and cleansing for me.
This is all a long way of saying do what fuels you and makes you happy (as long
as it is not self-destructive) and make sure you do it as often as you can.
Don’t wait until you are alone, on the verge of tears, to practice self-care.
Do a little every day, and your body and mind will thank you.</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Grad school is supposed to be an exciting time in your life,
where you focus in on your goals and aspirations, and achieve them in awe
inspiring ways. But you cannot do any of the amazing things you are destined to
do while struggling. The best part about being in GC school is that you are
surrounded by individuals who are right there alongside you and are being
supported by those who just want to see you succeed. Being surrounded by my
cohort has made is easier to seek help and has made it easier to talk about
when school and life are tough, but their support and the support that I have
found for myself has allowed me to grow and be a better GC in the future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Pitt Genetic Counseling program seeks to support students through mental health issues. Our program emphasizes setting professional boundaries and self-care. Program leadership emphasizes their support for students on an individual level. The University of Pittsburgh provides resources to students, including graduate students, such as the University Counseling Center (<a href="https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/cc/" target="_blank">UCC</a>), access to <a href="https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/campus-recreation/" target="_blank">recreational facilities</a>, and the Stress Free Zone (<a href="https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/shs/stressfree/">SFZ</a>). In addition, the program has a <a href="https://publichealth.pitt.edu/Portals/0/HUGEN/Policy_Timely%20Referral%20to%20Support%20Services_FINAL_no%20page%20numbersz_Updated_10-20-20_1.pdf?ver=2020-10-23-163526-863" target="_blank">policy</a> on timely access to support services.</i></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-81173226685197621762022-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:002022-06-30T10:31:36.237-07:00Student Spotlight - Rebecca Oberschmidt<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp_VUH7re8PA1CJkjbEOh4vF_8R6EHY4NJQ1v9KVl26Ie85SVcxDPJNqP_9iYTYbRfLaCG5Lw9nH7K7gqi0XjSJL-bifFqKWDjR6qFtmAQJ6XI-Py-MlbnZV3h2KFtG9xFVvSQinw3XSNVpEL5DetHv-RU--HUsd-S5KfWlz6BLczXxBDQymCq4tRRA/s1029/rebecca%20oberschmidt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="687" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp_VUH7re8PA1CJkjbEOh4vF_8R6EHY4NJQ1v9KVl26Ie85SVcxDPJNqP_9iYTYbRfLaCG5Lw9nH7K7gqi0XjSJL-bifFqKWDjR6qFtmAQJ6XI-Py-MlbnZV3h2KFtG9xFVvSQinw3XSNVpEL5DetHv-RU--HUsd-S5KfWlz6BLczXxBDQymCq4tRRA/w199-h298/rebecca%20oberschmidt.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br />During my undergraduate time at Pitt, I stayed in Pittsburgh for one summer and learned about all the events and things there are to do during the summer in Pittsburgh. I am so excited to spend another summer here during graduate school, and here are some highlights. <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">My classmates and I went to a Pirates game one weekend and got to see some fireworks afterwards (pictured below). It’s a short ride on public transit, and the view from the stadium is amazing, as it has been called one of the best places to see a baseball game. The fireworks are set off from the Allegheny River just outside the stadium so the breeze feels nice in the summer. In Shadyside, Walnut Street is a great area with restaurants, bars, and shopping. Throughout the summer, they have events like the Arts Festival and Jam on Walnut, an outdoor concert series which was our first hangout as a class last August. There are several large events that take place over the summer, with my favorite being Picklesburgh. You guessed it - the theme of this event is all things pickles!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc135ob0SF-EiergBHkmZrc7EH3vuhnGKs6EaNEGbAphXguaDI_2JrVWStMHwuafpKmyALToHoh2t6Asn0to6lO2MGn6p-bL8KHqzvZE_6PKQfs99U8IVixcmorwvXcYvq6y9zupjQN2Oe0JyacJaNVlzdpOk1KEDHKf4XFYXqmb71qZ-Pe1lCkJXAg/s1600/IMG_20220521_205422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc135ob0SF-EiergBHkmZrc7EH3vuhnGKs6EaNEGbAphXguaDI_2JrVWStMHwuafpKmyALToHoh2t6Asn0to6lO2MGn6p-bL8KHqzvZE_6PKQfs99U8IVixcmorwvXcYvq6y9zupjQN2Oe0JyacJaNVlzdpOk1KEDHKf4XFYXqmb71qZ-Pe1lCkJXAg/w294-h221/IMG_20220521_205422.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pittsburgh’s many parks have tons to take advantage of during the warmer months. There are disc golf courses, hiking trails, and great picnic spots to enjoy that are just a walk or bus ride away. Lots of events happen in them too, from live music concerts to movie screenings. Pitt offers discounted tickets to different shows and events in the Cultural District. I went to see the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra recently and we got great seats to a great show. During the school year, a lot of the museums and other spots (like Phipps Conservatory, and our trip there is pictured below) that require admission fees are free for Pitt students. There are outdoor concert venues in the city and a short drive out of the city. My classmate Madalyn and I saw the Jonas Brothers when they came to the Pavilion at Star Lake last year, and it was such a great night! My parents and I also took a trip to Fallingwater and Ohiopyle, which are about an hour outside the city. Fallingwater is one of the houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is built on a waterfall, so it was beautiful with such interesting architecture.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVODc9nnHh4ebjT681nST5QkL1CpHQ5oSLzzFlbepLuxM1dlDCxEXZH78YtuoxOTkeWvyCjB9LvzHkKClYaX9BlVhSf0kEM4agtv0977JhJgc5Oy6NmpYYmDRzxzSAYiMuCfVCGy-LzbZfiuXD0Y0og0NczlaD8QbMn4v4c6t016ccTxaphWSVNhFeWA/s992/IMG4048521729286794765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVODc9nnHh4ebjT681nST5QkL1CpHQ5oSLzzFlbepLuxM1dlDCxEXZH78YtuoxOTkeWvyCjB9LvzHkKClYaX9BlVhSf0kEM4agtv0977JhJgc5Oy6NmpYYmDRzxzSAYiMuCfVCGy-LzbZfiuXD0Y0og0NczlaD8QbMn4v4c6t016ccTxaphWSVNhFeWA/w279-h209/IMG4048521729286794765.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br />All in all, Pittsburgh is a great place to live, and with some more time on our hands and the weather in our favor during the summer, we get to enjoy more of what the city has to offer. There are so many things to take advantage of as a Pitt student, so I am happy that I got another chance to check some things off my Pittsburgh bucket list!<p></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052791630335662975.post-75764797018366064952022-06-13T08:40:00.000-07:002022-06-13T08:40:24.078-07:00Student Spotlight: Ariel Breeze<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ag-KRnyi_bhX7q9lIXfZErXh7PbPgGSvXuWUix7eFnJdUIsgb_FjCmSTQSZUE4A7Utle2AjA2ENLRrKZ94jOmDKmayTiWhyC2AQZMXibrqcIz0Vb8kXxyxRQ5CiEbRzoM8q-tEEnXFTBx8Yz0NSHhiXI9GXC_dVxUIrW43s_iRWs7YVaLbZK0rQi2Q/s1535/ariel%20breeze.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ag-KRnyi_bhX7q9lIXfZErXh7PbPgGSvXuWUix7eFnJdUIsgb_FjCmSTQSZUE4A7Utle2AjA2ENLRrKZ94jOmDKmayTiWhyC2AQZMXibrqcIz0Vb8kXxyxRQ5CiEbRzoM8q-tEEnXFTBx8Yz0NSHhiXI9GXC_dVxUIrW43s_iRWs7YVaLbZK0rQi2Q/s320/ariel%20breeze.png" width="244" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Transitioning into clinical rotations has
been a component of the program I have been looking forward to since as early
as the application cycle. I started my rotation block with pediatrics at the
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, which has proven to be an incredibly
rewarding experience in such a brief period. Prior to rotations beginning, I
was paired with a genetic counselor working at the hospital who has provided me
with significant guidance throughout the rotation, helping me to find certain
types of conditions and appointments to shadow or participate in and helping to
build my confidence and comfortability.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of
Pittsburgh provides a truly unique experience with a host of opportunities outside
of the typical clinical indications you anticipate seeing. Specifically,
everyone who rotates at Children’s is given the opportunity to see three
specialties beyond typically pediatric cases: inborn errors of metabolism
(IEM), lysosomal storage disorders (LSD), and inpatient. The IEM component of
the rotation involves seeing patients with a physician, a nurse specialized in
metabolic genetics, a dietician, and a genetic counselor depending on the
indication. You may also observe an abnormal newborn screen if the opportunity
arises while in this portion of your clinic experience. As each student is
provided with the opportunity to choose an optional rotation experience, I have
elected to pursue mine in the newborn screening and IEM space especially given
my interest in public health screening initiatives as a dual-degree student.
The LSD component of the clinic allows students to see these patients both in
an outpatient setting and while they are receiving enzyme infusions, one of the
treatment types that works most effectively in these patients. We also spend
two weeks seeing inpatient cases, which involve patients having been admitted
to the hospital that have had genetic consults requested. These cases arise
spontaneously and are both fascinating and rewarding. I have had the
opportunity to observe one inpatient case during my rotation block thus far,
and the entirety of the session feels vastly different than a typical
outpatient case from the pedigree creation process to the discussion of genetic
testing. Parents are exhausted and, understandably, scared, and this provides
an opportunity to really put those counseling skills to work and help these
patients as much as possible despite the tense environment.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Additionally, any students interested in
other opportunities can spend their time at Children’s seeing patients in the
pediatric cardiogenetic clinic, the pediatric cancer predisposition clinic, or
at satellite clinics serving Plain communities in Hermitage or other hospitals
in Wexford and Monroeville. Personally, I have made time in my rotation block
to see pediatric cardiogenetics patients considering my wide interest in
cardiovascular conditions. I learned so much during these cases, and despite
being a pediatric case at Children’s as well, the workflow for these cases
looks vastly different than what you will see with typical outpatient
experiences. Generally, these patients enter will enter their appointments
already aware of the sort of condition they likely have, allowing for more
tailored sessions of the genetic condition being considered and the inheritance
pattern of these conditions (for example, Long QT syndrome).</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Transitioning from a full class load into
full-time rotations has certainly been an adjustment. While I find myself as
busy as ever, looking through my patients’ medical histories in preparation for
sessions feels important and rewarding. Though I have just started my
rotations, I have already learned so much and my supervisors have provided me
with several tips to help me hone my genetic counseling skills. The types of
indications you will see in pediatrics is so broad that you end up learning so
much simply by talking to your patients that you would not necessarily read
about otherwise. Rarely does the amount of time spent feel like a chore when
there is so much to look forward to during these rotation blocks. Pitt offers a
rich variety of clinical rotation experiences even housed within the typical
core rotation blocks, and so there is truly something for everyone throughout
your time spent in the clinical setting.</span></span></p>Pitt Genetic Counseling Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11994863656731413164noreply@blogger.com0