PROGRAM NEWS AND EVENTS

Class of 2009: Research

Our research program is driven by the interests of the individual student and takes advantage of the wide variety of genetics initiatives on the University of Michigan campus and within the state of Michigan. The goals of the research project are to improve critical thinking skills, provide first hand experience of the research process, and contribute knowledge to the field of genetic counseling. This year's projects include:

Sophia Ceulemans: Genetic testing for bipolar disorder: Attitudes and beliefs of affected individuals

Lauren Kirkby: Presence of occult ovarian cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers subsequent to risk reducing oophorectomies

Alyson Krokosky: Critical factors in the transition to emerging adulthood for adolescents with visual impairments

Kristen Maas: Impact of the physical exam on diagnosis and management of hereditary cancer syndromes.

Bethany Parks: Myriad's direct-to-consumer BRACAnalysis advertising markets: What messages are reaching the public through the media?

Jessica Szymaniak: Assessing potential delivery models for genetic services: Psychological outcome after genetic risk assessment for late-onset Alzheimer's disease

SUMMER CAMP

Wolverine Health Explorers

Wolverine Health Explorers (WHE) is a week long summer camp for high school students interested in gaining exposure to a wide variety of health professions while also deepening their understanding of their own personal interests, values and skills. This summer the Genetic Counseling Program was a partner in this engaging program. Visiting students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on genetics activities, interact with UM faculty and staff, research scientists, and graduate students.

The topics presented by our Faculty and Graduate Students included basic program information, characteristics and skills that genetic counselors should possess, preparation for school and career, admissions, coursework, and employment opportunities in the field of Genetic Counseling. To learn more about this summer camp for perspective students, visit the University of Michigan's Career Center.

A GUIDE TO GENETIC COUNSELING, 2ND EDITION

A Guide to Genetic Counseling, 2nd Edition

In 1998, University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Program faculty Diane Baker, Jane Schuette and Wendy Uhlmann penned A Guide to Genetic Counseling. The book quickly became a bestselling and widely recognized text, and has since been used nationally and internationally in genetic counseling training programs.

Lead authors and U of M faculty Wendy Uhlmann, Jane Schuette and Beverly Yashar are proud to announce that the eagerly anticipated Second Edition of A Guide to Genetic Counseling will be available for purchase this summer. The book provides a thoroughly revised and comprehensive overview of genetic counseling, focusing on the practical components, theoretical framework, and unique approach to patient care that are the basis of this profession. The book defines the core competencies and covers the genetic counseling process from the case initiation to completion, in addition to addressing global professional issues.

Chapters by leaders in the field of genetic counseling provide the most up-to-date coverage of the practical, historical and applied aspects of genetic counseling practice. Topics include family history, interviewing, case preparation and management, psychosocial counseling, patient education, risk communication, decision making, medical genetics evaluation, understanding genetic testing, medical documentation, multicultural counseling, ethical and legal issues, student supervision, genetic counseling research, professional development, genetics education and out-reach, evolving roles and expanding opportunities, and case examples.

For both students and healthcare professionals, A Guide to Genetic Counseling is an indispensible reference and resource on the field of genetic counseling. Congratulations to Wendy, Jane, Bev and all contributing authors for this critical contribution to our evolving field. Its publication reflects Michigan's focus on shaping the future of the genetic counseling profession.

JANET MILLER

Best of Wishes

After 22 years of dedicated service to the Department of Human Genetics, Janet Miller is retiring this spring. As Student Service Administrator, Janet has always been the "one in the know" when it comes to issues near and dear to students. In addition to the support she provides students, the faculty and staff of the department appreciate Janet’s dedication. In many ways, she has been the "glue" that holds the department together (as well as the source of unlimited chocolate).

What does one do after spending over 22 years surrounded by quirky geneticists, enthusiastic genetic counselors and stressed out graduate students? Janet plans to spend more time with her own "family tree," including her husband Larry, children, and grandchildren. Please share your good wishes with Janet at Janmil@umich.edu.

PERSPECTIVES IN GENETIC COUNSELING

Male Genetic Counseling Trainees, Why Not?

The Spring Edition of Perspectives in Genetic Counseling (Volume 31 Number 1) includes an article by University of Michigan Genetic Counseling student, Barry Tong, in which Barry describes what it means to be a male entering a field that is predominantly female. With contributions from other male genetic counseling students, Barry describes that their "maleness" generates the most discussion from genetic counseling students and genetic counselors-but that patients seem to be unaware of the fact that meeting with a male genetic counselor is perhaps out of the norm.

"As future genetic counselors, we perceive our contributions as males to clinical practices as no less than, nor significantly different from, those of our female role models and colleagues. As such, let us encourage other men to pursue their interests in genetic counseling and cease creating barriers to interviewing males regarding their intention to enter this field." ~ B. Tong

CLASS OF 2010

Welcome Class of 2010!

The University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Program would like to welcome the new class of 2010. Here is a little bit of background on each of our new graduate students.

Michelle Finlon: Michelle is a graduate from Luther College in Iowa and is originally from Minnesota. In preparation for graduate school, Michelle completed a cancer genetic counseling internship at Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center and served as a crisis line counselor at Cornerstone Advocacy Society. During her time at Luther College, Michelle was also a member of the tennis team.

Alicia Giordimaina: Alicia Giordimaina is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned her B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Linguistics. Alicia worked as a research assistant in Sally Camper’s lab here at U of M, where she assisted in research on cochlear mutations in mouse models. Alicia also served as a volunteer at Safe House Center for domestic abuse.

Brittney Dye: Brittney received her B.S. in Biology from Wittenburg University. Last summer, Brittney was fortunate to work as a genetic counseling intern/research student at the Cleveland Clinic. Brittney has been an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society and Project Jericho. During her work with Project Jericho, Brittney helped high-risk youths express themselves through artwork.

Anna Cisler: graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Genetics. During her time at U of W, she gained hands on experience in molecular genetics while working as a research assistant. Anna also served as a crisis counselor for the Briar Patch organization, who specializes in the needs of teens and their families. Anna has also written a children’s book to help young children understand and come to terms with pregnancy losses.

Maureen Mork: Maureen Mork received her B.S. and B.A. in Biology and French, respectively, from the Ohio State University. While at OSU, Maureen worked as a genetic counseling intern with the Cancer Genetics Clinic and a student research assistant with the Cancer Center and the Center for Human Resource Research. She also worked as an HIV Test Counselor at the Student Wellness Center.

Kailey Owens: Kailey Owens received her B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Psychology in 2007 from the University of Michigan. She has spent the last year working as a laboratory research technician here in the Department of Human Genetics with Jeff Innis. Kailey has served as the President of the Student Society for Stem Cell Research. Her advocacy experience includes work as a counselor at Ozone House.

SHARING

Sharing Our Knowledge and Passion

Educational outreach is an integral component of the University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Program, Medical School, and Health System. Over the course of the year, multiple faculty and students in our program have had the chance to work with learners in a wide variety of settings within the medical school, the undergraduate college, and in the greater Ann Arbor community. Our community based outreach program provides an opportunity for genetic counselors and students to provide mentorship and guidance for the future professional development of other genetic counselors, students and colleagues.

Faculty member Jane Schuette has served as the director of the human genetics portion of the Girls in Science and Engineering program for approximately 15 years. This summer, rising second year student Lauren Kirkby and Jane shared their enthusiasm and expertise about human genetics with middle school girls participating in the program at the University of Michigan. Over the course of this exciting one-week camp for middle school students, the girls participated in hands-on activities including DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis. Patters of inheritance were taught using a "face lab" where girls learned about dominant and recessive traits. They also worked through clinical case scenarios, considering medical and ethical aspects of the cases and developed their own "soap opera" pedigrees.

Most of us have a story about the person who was generous with their time and opened our own eyes to the world of human genetics. Community outreach affords our students with the opportunity to share their passion with future genetics professionals.

ANN MADEO

Ann Madeo

Class of 1999

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of alumna Anne Madeo. Anne spent the last eight years working at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) in Bethesda, MD and just recently accepted a new position as the Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute (JHU/NHGRI) Genetic Counseling Training Program.

While working at the NIDCD Anne wore multiple hats as she ascertained, enrolled, and provided genetic counseling to research subjects in studies of hereditary hearing loss, Usher syndrome, and central auditory processing disorders. In addition, she managed significant administrative aspects of the research protocols, including IRB reporting. Anne was also involved in several educational activities including teaching about psychosocial, regulatory, and ethical issues of clinical research protocols at intra-Institute events and supervising and teaching genetic counseling students from the JHU/NHGRI Program. Anne’s recently vacated position at NIDCD will be filled by U of M alumna, Julie Albertus Muskett (Class of ‘05).

In her new position at the JHU/NHGRI Genetic Counseling Training Program, Anne joins U of M alumna, Barbara B. Biesecker (Class of '83), Program Director. Anne's responsibilities include teaching and overseeing clinical training of the genetic counseling students. Anne is also an investigator in the social and behavioral research branch of NHGRI, where she will be conducting her own research related to the genetic counseling process.

In her spare time, Anne enjoys knitting, yoga, baking, and spending time with her family, including her husband and two sons, Izzy and Niki. Anne’s indulgences include taking advantage of Ann Arbor’s Zingerman’s Deli mail order service!