Sheila Zwiesele, MS

Sheila Zwiesele, MS [email protected] Website: phd.msu.edu/divisions/human-genetics/clinical-genetics.html

Background: - Undergraduate Degree in Biology from Oakland University - Wayne State University Masters Program in Genetic Counseling - Pediatric Genetic counseling with Michigan State University (Sparrow and outreach in Clinton and Kalamazoo)

Genetic counseling: Helping families understand the genetic contributions to disease. A growing field!

Can have a couple of different roles - Clinical setting: pediatrics, prenatal, cancer, cardiovascular, etc. - Lab setting: figure out which genetic tests are the best to order and interpreting results - Public health - Representatives for companies

Applicants: 1. Personal statement 2. Letters of recommendation 3. Advocacy hours at a counseling service (Planned Parenthood, etc.) 4. GRE 5. Beneficial to have shadowing 6. Don’t have to be a genetic major to go to a genetic counseling training program; most are biology majors, but there are also students with psychology, languages, etc. Just need the core classes that are required of the program.

Genetic Counseling Training Program: Masters Program 2 years long Involves internship (prenatal, cancer, and pediatrics)

Three components to each training program: 1. Coursework (lectures) 2. Research (responsible for research project) 3. Internships (rotate through different specialties) Each program is structured a bit differently, but they have these same similarities.

There are 32 training programs in the United States, and 2 in Michigan (Wayne and University of Michigan). They accept 4-12 students a year; highly competitive Being a Genetic Counselor: There are some patients that they follow up with regularly (haven’t found explanation yet for their problems, need additional testing, etc.). Most patients are met with once (the diagnosis explained).

Whole genome sequencing: A great tool for complicated cases because it gives you all the information. The patients with the right insurance don’t have to pay for it!

Pros: - Training was only a Masters degree and still work in the medical field - Can see a direct impact on patients - Working one-on-one with families Cons: - Work with the insurance companies - Would like to do more patient care, but there is a lot of follow up and preparation (In the clinic two days a week, and the rest of the week is when you do prep, call insurance companies, etc.) - After training, often have to choose a specialty or choose a location, it’s difficult to be able to choose both because the field is slightly restrictive - Getting more and more information, but less time to go through it

A normal week as a genetic counselor: Monday and Wednesday: Case prep (8 patients a week) Cancer and prenatal can see more because there is less prep, but pediatrics needs more because they are more diverse Tuesdays and Thursdays: In clinic (Sparrow and outreach) Fridays: Writing letters to families to summarize the diagnosis and what they talked about

Prenatal Specialty: Carrier testing for hundreds of conditions Parents coming in to see their chances of having a child with a genetic disorder

Pediatrics Specialty: Help counsel families with children with genetic disorders (blood and clotting disorders, cystic fibrosis, etc.) - Can help families finally get an explanation Common genetic disorders: 1. Down syndrome (extra 21 chromosome; multi-system disorder): parents often have a lot of questions (is it a risk for other family members?) 2. Neurofibromatosis (diagnosis based on clinical diagnosis)

Salary: Depends on the industry, specialty, and region Private industry: higher salary Anywhere from $40,000 to $150,000

For more information about becoming a genetic counselor, visit www.nsgc.org