Faculty Spotlight: Christine Munro

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.

1. How did you find out about genetic counseling?

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.

2. What does your current role in the program entail?

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.

3. What made you decide to work to develop the Primary Care Precision Medicine Clinic?  What is the mission of this clinic?

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.

4. What does your role in clinic look like?

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.

5. What is your favorite part of your job?

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.

Michelle Takemoto Leadership Seminar Reflections

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:

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! - Leann To

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! - Impana Shetty

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. – Samantha Runa

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. - Ariel Breeze

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! - Daniel Brennsteiner

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. - Megan Zieber

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!  - Rebecca Oberschmidt

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! - Madalyn Charnego 

Student Spotlight - Daniel Brennsteiner

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Inpatient Genetic Counseling - Glenna Noska

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

What is an average day like for you as an inpatient genetic counselor?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is your favorite part of being an inpatient genetic counselor?

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is the most challenging aspect of being an inpatient genetic counselor?

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.

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!

What advice would you give to students wishing to pursue a career in inpatient genetic counseling?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Link to Inpatient Genetic Counseling SIG for more information:

https://www.nsgc.org/Members/Special-Interest-Groups-SIGs/Inpatient-SIG

References:

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

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

Student Spotlight - Kate Cioffi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Student Spotlight - Samantha Runa

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.

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. I survived the first time, so I should easily survive this time. 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.

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.

      1.     Set Time Boundaries for yourself

     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.

      2.     Both Thank and Forgive yourself

      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.

      3.    Find a therapist that you Enjoy and Utilize your School’s Resources

      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.

      4.      Do Self Care … whatever that means for you

    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.

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.  

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 (UCC), access to recreational facilities, and the Stress Free Zone (SFZ). In addition, the program has a policy on timely access to support services.

Student Spotlight - Rebecca Oberschmidt

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.  

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!

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.

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!

Student Spotlight: Ariel Breeze

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.

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.

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).

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.

Student Spotlight: Elise Williams

I am a dual degree student in the Genetic Counseling and Public Health Genetics programs and in addition to the offering the dual degree plan option, I was drawn to the Pitt Genetic Counseling program’s model of clinical preparation called the “Confidence-Building Model”. We go from in-class learning and observing patient sessions to having simulated patient sessions before we start our clinical rotations. I have recently started summer clinical rotations and I have been reflecting on just about how far my class and I have come in less than a year!

The confidence building model is an educational framework that gradually provides us with skills and the space to try new things as we get more comfortable with transitioning from classroom learning to clinical work. We focus on classroom-based learning our first semester, transition to clinical education and simulations in our second semester, and then start clinical rotations in the summer before our second year. Starting with classroom learning gave us an educational foundation of genetics. As we all come from different backgrounds prior to joining the program, these courses helped us have a good starting baseline knowledge of genetic counseling.

In the second semester of the first year, we start observational rotations where we can observe pediatric and cancer genetic counseling sessions. Being able to observe these sessions helped me learn some things that are difficult to learn in a classroom, such as the structure of the different sessions, what the flow of a clinic looks like, and where I can keep my lunch! During the last month of our second semester, we also had an amazing opportunity to have simulated patient sessions. Each week for four weeks, we have the patient actors simulate a genetic counseling session. We divide the session up among a group of students to practice our genetic counseling skills and have the chance to ask them questions. These simulated patient sessions helped me feel more confident about presenting genetic information and helped me learn how to co-counsel with my classmates, which will be important in clinical rotations as we work with other genetic counselors to complete a patient session.

Our clinical rotations start in the summer, so I am currently in my third week of rotations (ever) in Prenatal genetics. Each day, I am learning new ways of counseling and given opportunities to try new things in patient sessions. Yesterday, I was discussing how a session had gone with a genetic counselor mentor. I told them that I felt I could have done a better job explaining a topic but that it was the first time I had discussed that topic with a patient. “You did fine!” they said, “that’s genetic counseling; you just practice, and practice, and you will change things a little bit each time you meet with a patient.” So, when will I have enough confidence to complete the model? This conversation made me realize that when you choose a career in genetic counseling, there is no end to the confidence building model! With constant adaptation of counseling styles as we have new experiences and learn new things about genetics, we will always be growing and changing to have the privilege of helping meet our patients’ needs.

Student Spotlight: Carolyn Maxwell

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) is a graduate-level interdisciplinary training program focused around improving the health of people with disabilities. I have always been interested in how interdisciplinary teams work together to provide the best care for a patient, and I thought of LEND as an excellent opportunity to learn from other healthcare providers' perspectives.

I was interested in LEND, but I was also worried about overloading my plate. I am a dual degree student, and I have a job as a clinical research assistant; suffice to say, I am busy enough. When Jodie discussed these opportunities through LEND, she explained a new program they were piloting called the Medium Term Traineeship (MTT). The MTT would allow me to pick LEND learning modules I was interested in and participate in a long-term project. To complete the MTT, you participate in at least 40 hours of LEND events and attend two monthly MTT meetings.

I completed the MTT through LEND this year, and it was such an impactful experience. I entered the MTT expecting to learn about interdisciplinary teams and their perspectives to enhance my practice. What I actually learned about were transdisciplinary teams, in which the family and their input are integral in all health decisions. In LEND, there are trainees such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and many more health care disciplines. Importantly, families are also trainees in LEND who attend all the classes and participate in the events. These families have a child with a neurodevelopmental disability or themselves have a disability. The family's perspectives challenged how I approached problems and enhanced my understanding of the challenges and the joys of having a child with a neurodevelopment disability. The MTT enhanced my knowledge of so many topics we discussed in our coursework and will impact my understanding in clinical as well.

For more information about the LEND program, check out:
https://www.lend.pitt.edu/

Q&A: Elena Kessler, Pediatric Genetic Counselor

 

Elena Kessler is a graduate of the Pitt Genetic Counseling Program and now works at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). In addition to seeing regular pediatric patients, she began the Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Program and sees many oncology patients. Pitt genetic counseling students have the opportunity to rotate through this program during their second year!

 

Why did you decide to become a genetic counselor?

I was in my junior year of college taking a genetics class as a bio major, and at the time I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. I loved all my psych classes, and considered some jobs in that realm, but I was deep into the bio path at that point. I considered physical therapy and athletic training, but after shadowing those professionals, the careers did not click for me. I really liked my genetics class, and one day we learned about the field of genetic counseling. We were assigned a case to present to the class, and I played the role of GC with my lab partners playing a couple with a family history of fetal alcohol syndrome. Everyone’s cases were really interesting! After class, I asked some questions and my professor told me more about the field. He mentioned that he knew a GC in my hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, and thought it could be a career for me to consider. After learning more about peds genetics, I thought back about many kids and families I spent time with as a child while my parents officiated the Special Olympics. I knew I wanted to work with and help people in some way, and many aspects of the field achieve that, so I found my path towards GC!

 

Why did you decide to specialize in pediatric genetic counseling?

After completing my rotations in grad school, I had interests in both peds and oncology. I spent the first 3 years working in the GI genetics clinic, and then moved to CHP when a position became available. I love that in peds specifically, you often have a long-term relationship with the family and can continue helping them and updating them for years.

 

What is an average day like for you?

Fast-paced and unpredictable. I see patients 2-3 days per week, and other days are spent calling out results, and doing other patient-centered tasks.

 

What is your favorite part about being a genetic counselor?

Helping families understand the child’s test results and connecting them with valuable resources. Many of the conditions we deal with are ultra rare, and newly discovered. We have a unique role to empower families in this learning process with us. I think I learn something new every day in this job

 

What inspired you to develop the Pediatric Cancer Predisposition program, and what has that experience been like?

After my experience working in adult genetics, I naturally became the point person at CHP for oncology cases. But we rarely saw the oncology patients in genetics, both due to low referral rates and the numerous other priority visits these families frequently have. And many oncologists weren’t as up to date on pediatric cancer syndromes, so they didn’t think genetics was needed. Our currently graduating hem/onc physicians are trained extensively on genetics, mostly due to the many somatic changes that occur in tumors. One day, I had the opportunity to present at the hem/onc staff meeting about genetics, which was great, and physicians would periodically contact me about patients, but it was still rare. Over the years, more large institutions developed pediatric cancer genetics clinics, so I expressed interest to Dr. Vockley in teaming up with hem/onc to see these patients. In 2016, the hem/onc department hired a new physician, Dr. Wendy Chang, and she had experience during her fellowship working with genetic counselors. We started from scratch developing every aspect of the clinic until we launched officially in 2017. We presented information about our new clinic and gave an educational seminar to 7 different departments around the hospital, and we created pamphlets for the hem/onc waiting room and survivorship clinic appointments. Currently I run the program with Dr. Julia Meade, who is a neurooncologist. I now spend the majority of my time in oncology, with a few patients in medical genetics every week or so. In the next year or two, I will likely move over there full time!

 

Is there anything that surprised you when you first started working as a genetic counselor?

You can be as knowledgeable and prepared for a case as possible, but psychosocial issues and unexpected questions will continue to challenge you. Those are fun things though 😊

Student Spotlight: Madalyn Charnego

 

    When I received my offer to join the Pitt master’s of public health program for fall of 2020, I was a few short days away from Match Day. At that same time, I was coming to terms with the fact that I had lost the end of my undergraduate career to the COVID-19 pandemic. The blur of excitement that should have been the spring of my senior year was overtaken by virtual classes, virtual interviews, and lost opportunities. When Match Day came, I was left without a program and unsure of where my next chapter would take me. Looking for a sense of purpose, I chose to accept the offer from Pitt’s MPH program.

              Receiving my MPH was always something that I had been interested in and was a big factor of why I had applied to Pitt in the first place. The chance to learn more about how genetics impacts populations was intriguing. I knew that there would be a lot of new opportunities for me that would open up by completing an MPH. I was still thinking that genetic counseling was the career for me but starting this MPH would give me the chance to explore some more avenues. Although this was not the path I had intended for myself originally, I tried hard to keep myself focused on the positives. I had a new plan of action and was excited to get started.

              When the fall semester began, I was immediately shocked by how supportive and welcoming the School of Public Health and the Human Genetics Department were—even over Zoom! I fell in love with the department and the culture at Pitt. I broadened my horizons from genetics into health equity and health literacy. I was able to take classes that explored those topics on a deeper level. Through my MPH coursework, I found a new passion for advocating for better access to health care information and materials written and presented at appropriate levels for all patients, instead of only for individuals with high health literacy. I ultimately chose this topic to focus my thesis around.

              As the application cycle for 2021 began to open up, I struggled with what to do. I knew I wanted to finish what I had started with the MPH, but I knew that genetic counseling was really where my career goals were. I chose to apply to only Pitt for the 2021 cycle. Although applying to one school could be considered a gamble, it was a chance I was willing to take. Similarly, I found comfort in the fact that no matter what, I could always apply again, and I was still going to finish my MPH. I updated my application materials to reflect all that I had accomplished since starting the MPH program and spent time learning more clearly what the Pitt GC program had to offer. The application cycle moved fast, and soon I was interviewing and submitting my very short rank list. When Match Day brought me the news that I was going to finally accomplish my dream of not only becoming a genetic counselor, but also receiving my MPH at the same time, I was overjoyed.

              Matching meant I get to stay in Pittsburgh for three years total, instead of only two. With this comes extra time to complete my thesis, more chances to take courses in areas that interested me, and more opportunities to explore the city I now call home. On top of all of this, completing a full year of course work before starting the GC program proved to be incredibly beneficial to my success. Because I had already been in many of the courses that first year GC students take, I was able to focus more effectively on the GC-specific courses that I still needed to take. Plus, I could use the knowledge I had already acquired the year before to inform my learning in other classes. While this path is not necessarily the ideal for everyone, it has turned out to be the perfect fit for me. Taking three years to complete my two degrees has given me space to follow my passions and grow as both a student and a future genetics provider.

-Madalyn Charnego

Student Spotlight: Lucy Galea

 

When I was furloughed at the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020, it was a time for me to reflect on where I was in life and reassess where I wanted to be heading. Genetic counseling had been on my mind for a little while, but the pandemic granted me the time to do a deep dive on the profession and see if this was the career for me. I decided that it was! I quickly found out, though, that shadowing opportunities were unavailable in Pittsburgh, understandably due to the pandemic, which meant that all my genetic counseling exposure came from other forms of experiences.

Informational interviews were a big part of me learning about genetic counseling. I used the Find a Genetic Counselor search function on the NSGC website to see which genetic counselors in my area were interested in speaking with students. Plenty of emails were sent, and six genetic counselors from all different fields found time to speak with me and answer my very long list of questions, for which I will always be grateful for.

There were a couple of different series on YouTube that I watched, that helped me see for myself what a genetic counseling session would often look like. The NSGC Master Genetic Counselor Series and the Genetic Counseling in Action video series were great ways to see what genetic counseling involves with a patient. Over time, I went back to the sessions and watched them again and as my exposure to the field grew, I could point out different elements and aspects of the appointment. Another series that I watched was the Voices of Genetic Counselors video series. These videos were very useful in seeing the impact that genetic counselors could have on their patients and the impact that patients have on genetic counselors’ lives.

A silver lining of the pandemic was that a lot of exposure days and genetic counseling conferences went online, which meant that I was able to attend these events from all over the country without having to leave my home. Some of the annual education conferences I attended were hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Genetic Counselors, Southern California Genetic Counselors, Michigan Association of Genetic Counselors, and Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors. I attended prospective student days online including Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Genetic Counseling Virtual Career Day, the DNA Sample Day with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and the Geisinger Genetic Counseling Open House. The Twitter and Instagram genetic counseling communities were also great at promoting these kinds of events, so following relevant accounts that promoted virtual events was helpful (these change cycle to cycle, so search to see who has an active account currently). Webinars for professional development also took off in 2020 and these were a great opportunity to get a short insight into a particular topic.

Listening to genetic counseling podcasts on long walks really helped to cure my pandemic cabin fever! There are some fantastic genetics specific podcasts out there, including from the perspective of the genetic counselor, the patient perspective and about current professional issues. Patient Stories with Grey Genetics had a big impact on how I started to think about genetic counseling, because it really opened my eyes to the patient’s side of the story and the impact that genetic diagnoses can have on a patient and/or family. The NSGC Podcast Series gave me a great view into the life of a genetic counselor. Recently I have been listening to The Beagle Has Landed and GC Chat, which both give thought provoking perspectives on topical professional genetic counseling issues and recently seen cases.

Finally, I would like to highlight how helpful it was to meet with Pitt’s faculty during virtual appointment hours that were specifically dedicated for prospective students. These sessions really helped me to get a feel for the program and the faculty involved, and I got vital feedback on how my application was progressing.

In some ways, I am thankful that my exposure to the genetic counseling field began during the pandemic because I believe it truly broadened my view of genetics and genetic counseling. It made me seek out of different ways to gain exposure to the field, which ultimately allowed me to see and hear presentations about topics that I would never have otherwise been able to.

-Lucy Galea

Student Spotlight: Impana Shetty

 

    When I first started at Pitt this past fall, many people told me that grad school would go by fast. I was pretty skeptical, especially since a two-year program seemed like a pretty long time! Now that I am more than halfway into my first year, I have realized that grad school truly does go by fast. It seems like we were learning about taking pedigrees only a few weeks ago, and now we are having the second-year students give us presentations on clinical rotations. With rotations starting in a few months, I have been starting to seriously think about what I would like to do for my optional rotation.

    At Pitt, students have space for a three-week optional rotation in their rotation schedules. The optional rotation is a time for students to get experience in a specialty they are interested in. A few of the rotations on the list of possibilities are working at Ophthalmic Genetics, the UPMC Clinical Genomics Laboratory, and the Muscular Dystrophy Clinic. You can also get extra exposure in a certain rotation or even craft your own rotation with the help of the program directors and site supervisors. If you want to spend your optional rotation outside at Pittsburgh, you can use this time as an opportunity to either rotate at a place close to home or work at a place you might want to live in after grad school. If there is a particular optional rotation that a second-year student has recently done, you can talk to them about their experience to get a better idea of what the rotation is like.

    Being able to choose an optional rotation is exciting since there are so many different possibilities you can choose from. However, with all of these options, it can also be overwhelming to pick the one rotation you want to do! As I go through the list of the optional rotation possibilities, I have started narrowing down my top three choices based on the specialties I may want to pursue in the future. After taking a GeneDx seminar series last semester, I became curious about laboratory genetic counseling and working in a non-clinical setting. As a result, the options that are in my preliminary top three list are rotating at GeneDx, focusing on exome testing, and conducting research. Since I do not have prior experience in these areas, I think that rotating at one of these places would be a great way to get a better understanding of these specialties and see which one could be a good fit for me in the future!

-Impana Shetty

Student Spotlight: Morgan Brzozowski

 

              I knew I wanted to enter the field of genetic counseling before I graduated high school. I had my path perfectly planned out in my mind: I would go to college, study biology and psychology, graduate, and go directly to grad school to pursue my masters in genetic counseling. I had no doubts this was it. Several years and applications later, I realized that my path wasn’t going to be so direct. I came to accept the fact that my future was now unknown, and I needed to gain more experience in the field to strengthen my application. Luckily, I was able to find a position as a genetic counseling assistant (GCA) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in neurogenetics. While at Penn, I was exposed to the ins and outs of the daily responsibilities of a genetic counselor. I knew I was gaining invaluable experiences through speaking with patients, prepping appointments, ordering tests and following up with results. After a year of working as a GCA at Penn I was able increase my workload to include research coordination on projects involving telehealth satisfaction in neurogenetics. This was an entirely new experience that further opened my eyes to the different possibilities of working as a clinical GC.

              I loved the work I had been doing and was ready to get back into the application cycle. Several months later, I was beyond excited to learn of my acceptance into the program at Pitt. As I began to prepare for this next step in my journey, there was a nagging reminder that I hadn’t been in a classroom for several years. I knew I was entering a program with academically rigorous schedule, and became anxious as to what it would feel like to be back. I often found myself thinking, how will I start to study? What will it feel like to be in a lecture again? How am I going to manage working while taking classes?

              Two weeks after arriving on campus, everything began to fall into place. I realized that I needed to alter my previous style of taking notes and develop a new study regime. As expected and appreciated, classes moved at a faster pace, and I was more passionate about the courses than ever before. My classmates contributed greatly to my transition to being a student again and became a strong support system. In addition to beginning classes, I was also starting a new job as a GCA in ophthalmology at UPMC. I was excited to be able to take on this position but was aware that it would add on another layer of complexity to my schedule. I knew it would provide unparalleled exposure to a new specialty; however, I would have to find a balance between work and school. This was a challenge for me. I quickly recognized that there were not enough hours in a day to complete everything on my to-do list. My time management skills would have to be adjusted so that I could use my days most efficiently and effectively. As the time passed, I began to learn that I needed to take a step back and evaluate, to breathe and not become overwhelmed. By creating a schedule, and holding myself responsible, I acknowledged that there was enough time, and that with stability came success. I found myself back on that path I set years ago. 

-Morgan Brzozowski

2021 Leadership Seminar Series

 

Each year, the second-year genetic counseling students invite an individual from the genetic counseling community to speak as part of our annual Leadership Seminar Series. This is an opportunity for us to hear a unique and important perspective on leadership, genetic counseling practice, and professional opportunities as we approach our graduation. In 2021, we hosted Dr. Gillian Hooker, genetic counselor, former President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and current Chief Scientific Officer at Concert Genetics.

Below are some reflections from our current genetic counseling students.

 

When the time finally came for our esteemed speaker, Dr. Hooker, to join us at the University of Pittsburgh, I wondered how someone at the start of their GC journey like myself could possibly approach a conversation with someone with such a robust list of experiences and accolades in the field. However, it didn't take long to see how down-to-earth, relatable, and passionate that Gillian was! I immediately understood her role as a model and expert in the field, and became motivated to gather as many nuggets of expertise from her during her visit as possible. During this time, it was apparent how invested she is in educating the next generation of genetic counselors on how to be innovative as we continue to push the field forward. I appreciate the time that she took to visit us here in Pittsburgh and look forward to reflecting on key points from her fantastic seminar as I prepare for graduation and enter the workforce!

-Frank Swann, Class of 2022

 

It was wonderful to hear Gillian speak about her perspectives regarding the evolution of genetic counseling; being one of the young genetic counselors fighting to make a difference and change what our field looks like was meaningful and made me feel even more excited about my position. Gillian has had an abundance of leadership experience in the field and I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned from her and apply that to my future career.

-Ariel Breeze, Class of 2023

 

Gillian’s presentation was incredibly inspiring. It was great to hear from someone so successful in our field and it made me excited for my future as a genetic counselor.

-Madalyn Charnego, Class of 2023

 

It was so encouraging to hear from someone so well-known and established in the genetic counseling field, and how they believe we should move forward as a field. Being able to discuss and address some of the field of genetics’ shortcomings and how to best proceed made me feel integral in the process and gets me excited for the future of genetic counseling.

-Samantha Runa, Class of 2023

 

Gillian’s talk was both informative in regard to the past and present of our field, as well as invigorating regarding its future. I’m so excited to be joining a profession with such thoughtful and inspiring leaders!

-Kate Cioffi, Class of 2023

 

I was so thankful that Gillian took the time to speak with us. As we enter this fast-growing community of genetic counselors, it feels important to hear about where the profession started and how things may shape in the years ahead. Having the privilege to speak with Gillian, who has been such a leader in the genetic counseling community, helped me understand our responsibility to the profession and made me excited for what is to come.

-Elise Williams, Class of 2023

 

Gillian is a true leader in the genetic counseling field and it was a privilege to have her be our presenter in 2021. Listening to Gillian’s lecture, and speaking with her afterward, about the past, current, and future trajectory of our profession was certainly inspiring!

-Lucy Galea, Class of 2023

 

It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to speak with Gillian before hearing her lecture at the Leadership Seminar. As a second-year class, we were so excited to invite Gillian to be the speaker for this seminar because of her incredible work in the field. She gave such insight into the evolution of the field of genetic counseling and where the field may be headed in the future. Gillian’s talk was both informative and invigorating, and made me so excited about the fact that I will soon be transitioning from the role of a student to that of a genetic counselor. Thank you, Gillian for inspiring future GCs!

-Savannah Binion, Class of 2023

 

It was such a privilege to hear Gillian speak and learn more about her professional journey in genetic counseling. She is so inspiring and it definitely excited me for my future as a genetic counselor!

-Glenna Noska, Class of 2023

 

Unfortunately, I was unable to make it in person, but I appreciated the discussions remotely. Gillian’s lecture was energizing, and her encouragement made me proud to be a part of the "game changers" generation of genetic counseling as a first-year GC student. Afterwards, I reached out to her via LinkedIn to thank her, and she immediately replied with the same energy!

-Daniel Brennsteiner, Class of 2023

 

I was so grateful to have the opportunity to hear Gillian speak and share her knowledge as one of the leaders in the field. As a future genetic counselor, hearing her perspective on the future of the profession was eye-opening and motivating!

-Impana Shetty, Class of 2023

 

It was such an amazing experience having Gillian as our speaker. She really embodies what it means to be a leader in genetic counseling and her insights into where the field is moving really opened my eyes to what it means to be an innovative leader.

-Carolyn Maxwell, Class of 2023

 

I really enjoyed meeting with Gillian and listening to her talk. She came at a time during the semester where things were really starting to pick up speed and get pretty stressful. Her discussion of the future of genetic counselors and genetic counseling was some much-needed motivation to keep going. She made me so proud to be a part of this community and reminded me why I love this field and its people so much.

-Julia Knapo, Class of 2022

 

It is 6 months away from my graduation, and along with the feeling of excitement, I feel the uncertainty in getting my first job and looking into directions for my career. Gillian’s talk has come at such a right time, not only in terms of motivation and dedication, but also an important reminder for me to broaden my horizons and envision what is and will be in the field, as well as what I aspire to make an impact on. As I take what I learned from her talk to shape my niche hopefully starting from my first job, I hope to reconnect with her and hear more of her insights which are sure to be invaluable.

-Phuc Do, Class of 2022

 

I am grateful for having the opportunity to meet with Gillian and have her speak at our Leadership Seminar. We were able to sit down and talk with Gillian before our seminar where she shared her path and took a true interest in getting to know all of us and our journeys. She also talked about the work she is doing to help improve access to genetic services and where she sees growth in the genetic counseling community. I have always had a passion for finding ways to increase access to genetic services and being able to speak firsthand with a leader in this area has made me even more excited to become a genetic counselor.

-Kristen D’Aquila, Class of 2022

 

It was inspiring to hear Gillian present on her experiences in the field of genetic counseling. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about how she views the future directions of genetic counseling and the ways in which we can contribute to the growth of the field as we continue our education.

-Morgan Brzozowski, Class of 2023

 

Gillian’s lecture was very critical to the evolution of the field of genetic counseling. It is important to be reflective and address the areas that we can improve. Listening to her present was a wonderful experience. Thank you Gillian!

-Haley Soller, Class of 2022

 

I was in awe of Gillian’s lecture as it made me reflect on how far the field of genetic counseling has come in such a short time. Gillian was able to artfully highlight the strengths of our field while addressing the ever-changing areas of growth. I will take her wisdom with me as I enter the field myself and always remember the foundation our careers have been built on.

-Natalie Tri, Class of 2022