National Society of Genetic Counselors

In her #Perspectives article, Malika Sud reflects on the legacy of Roe v Wade and the role Genetic Counselors play in the future of reproductive rights. For more: https://lnkd.in/gTZmQ5RW

We are excited to welcome Shannon Kieran, NSGC's Incoming Secretary/Treasurer-Elect, to the 2025 NSGC Board of Directors. Swipe to learn more about Shannon!

We are excited to introduce Carrie Haverty, Incoming President-Elect of the 2025 NSGC Board of Directors. Swipe to learn more about Carrie!

Happy #NationalMentoringDay! 🎉 Mentorship is essential to the future of genetic counseling, and we thank all the mentors who inspire and guide the next generation! Looking to grow or give back? NSGConnect makes finding a mentor or mentee who shares your interests easy. Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/g8injbZV

How can clinical practice guidelines shape the integration of genomic testing into routine care? Join NASEM Health and Medicine Division for a public workshop on October 29. NSGC representative Cathy Wicklund and other leaders in the space will explore the impact of guidelines on patients, clinicians, lab partners, payers, and test developers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how we can enhance the adoption of genomics in clinical practice. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ga6NSnSV

Considering a career in genetic counseling? The Western States Regional Genetics Network (WSRGN) is hosting the 2024 Genetic Counseling Virtual Career Fair on October 29! Designed for high school and undergraduate students, this event offers a chance to learn about the genetic counseling field. Connect with over 50 Master’s programs, explore career opportunities, and see how genetic counselors make a difference. Know someone who might be interested? Share this event with them and help inspire the next generation of genetic counselors! 🗓️ Date: October 29 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/eWyNnHSY

At the National Society of Genetic Counselors #NSGC24 Annual Conference, Arpita Neogi, Dr. Christine Eng, Troy Becker, Blake Vuocolo and Brian Reys illuminated the critical challenges and progress in the genomic diagnosis of rare diseases during, “This or That? Debating the Role of Panels, Exomes, and Genomes in the Diagnostic Odyssey.” Original live-tweets: https://lnkd.in/gYq-fhjY Patients and families often face a prolonged diagnostic odyssey, averaging five to seven years, with a significant number experiencing misdiagnoses along the way. About half of these patients are children whose diagnostic paths are more complicated and prolonged. The evolution of genomic technologies has been swift and transformative. From using karyotypes in the 1950s to the advent of whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) in 2010, and now the clinical application of RNA technologies, we've seen tremendous growth in our capabilities. However, provider knowledge gaps, insurance and financial hurdles, and the scarcity of comprehensive clinical guidelines still hinder access to timely and accurate diagnoses. The session also sparked a vibrant debate on the utility of genomic panels versus exomes and genomes. Genomic panels, with their curated focus, offer definitive diagnoses and enable quicker medical interventions at a lower cost compared to broader genomic technologies. These discussions are essential as they guide our understanding and optimization of genomic tools to shorten the diagnostic journey for many patients. As we navigate these challenges, the insights shared during the NSGC conference are invaluable in shaping a more effective and compassionate approach to genomic medicine

Did you miss all the news coming from #NSGC24? Here are a few newsworthy highlights from the Annual Conference: 🧬“[W]e really need to first and foremost talk to patients and understand their perspective when it comes to treatment.” Precision Medicine Online covers genetic counselors' vital role in patient care in the age of #GeneTherapy #NSGC24. https://lnkd.in/gergJZ6e 🧬ICYMI at #NSGC24: The new CPT Code for genetic counseling (96041) is a positive step for our profession that could mean better reimbursement. GenomeWeb has the details from the Annual Conference. Check it out here:https://lnkd.in/gQpjwjmT. 🧬 “Few studies look at the age of diagnosis of breast cancer in patients with mutations in these three genes,” says Susana San Román, MS, CGC. Learn more about her significant research on low-moderate breast cancer risk genes, first presented at #NSGC24. Explore the findings here: https://lnkd.in/gy-gss6c. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth 🧬 “Our findings show that it’s possible to expand access to genetic counselors into more clinics through flexible programs designed to fit the clinician,” says Cara Barnett, LS, LGC. Read about her study on the positive impacts of a third-party telemedicine model on patient access to genetic counseling, first presented at #NSGC24. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gfnAUhTk. It’s inspiring to see the buzz around NSGC! #GeneticCounseling #PatientCare

I'm still reflecting on the session I live-tweeted at the #NSGC24 Annual Conference, “Precision Prenatal Medicine: Genetic Counseling and Fetal Exome Sequencing,” which emphasized the utility of fetal exome sequencing in pregnancies with structural anomalies, highlighting the impact on future care, the ethical considerations and the essential role of #GeneticCounselors. It's coming up for me on a weekly basis in my role Boston Medical Center (BMC). The panel explored the growing role of fetal exome sequencing, especially in pregnancies with structural anomalies and negative microarray results. Studies have shown high diagnostic rates - as high as 44% (!) for CNS anomalies - begging the question of how and when we should offer this testing more widely. The panel of Dr. Asha Talati, Nicolette Walano, Rachael Bradshaw and Kristen Miller, MGC, LCGC emphasized that the results often change the current and future course of care for patients. Genetic counselors are essential in this process. Patients rely heavily on our guidance, not only in deciding whether to pursue fetal exome sequencing but also in understanding the implications of the results for their reproductive healthcare in the future. As panel member Nikki Walano highlighted, informed consent is critical, especially during emotionally challenging situations. The art of genetic counseling is evident in how we help patients navigate difficult decisions and manage complex results—whether positive, negative, or uncertain. It's about knowing when to be bold and deliver the statements patients may need to hear, and when to sit back and fully hear that patient's story. As we look toward the future of fetal medicine, with the potential for fetal genomes, therapies, and even exome sequencing as a screening tool, the panel noted that there are important ethical questions to address. Should we pursue screening simply because we can? This is an evolving area, and genetic counselors must remain central to these conversations. Practical considerations, like insurance coverage and the role of cytogenetic approaches, remain challenges we must navigate as we implement these advancements in clinical practice.  I welcome thoughts from my peers and colleagues here and thank the panel of speakers for their valuable insights!

NSGC President Colleen Campbell highlights a key barrier to precision medicine: access to genetic counselors. As gene therapies advance, patients need timely #GeneticTesting and expert guidance, but Medicare still doesn’t recognize genetic counselors as providers. NSGC is advocating for the #AccesstoGeneticCounselor Services Act to change this and expand access to life-changing care. Read more in Health Affairs: https://lnkd.in/gKEwAydf