Dr. Colleen Campbell Leadership Seminar Reflections

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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