2nd Annual Medical Genetics Awareness Week
Published on
Medical Genetics Awareness Week is celebrated to recognize the invaluable contributions that medical genetics healthcare professionals make in the diagnosis, management and prevention of genetic diseases, and the difference these professionals make in the lives of patients and families. The theme of Medical Genetics Awareness Week is “Celebrating the Contributions of the Entire Medical Genetics Team to Patient Care and Public Health.” The goal is to help inspire others to learn more about and take part in the medical genetics field.
When asked why they’re in medical genetics, members of our team responded with a range of different reasons. Read their responses below:
Dr. Diane Allingham-Hawkins, Ph.D., FCCMG, FACMG
Chief Geneticist
Genetics knowledge and technology is evolving at such a rapid pace - it's exciting to be part of something so dynamic! Also, it is hugely fulfilling to be able to give a family the answer they have been searching for - we really are making a difference!
Harriet Druker, MSc, MBA
Genetic Counselor / Regional Account Manager
I have always been fascinated by the way traits are passed through families and by their subtle variabilities.
Caleb Fleischman
Lab Technician
I enjoy knowing I am contributing to solving patients’ diagnostic odysseys.
Candy Viegut
Client Service Representative
When I started here I just knew this was a good place to work with lots of diverse employee activities. Now that I've been here a while, it is so heartwarming to see the good that genetic testing can do for families and people who need to know what is going on with themselves. I enjoy the aspect of client relationships with providers, and it’s great having clients who are happy to hear my voice on the phone because they know that I will try to give them the best care and answers that I can or I will find someone who will. I would never have thought of myself as loving this role but I really do! No matter who we get on the phone we can change their day by a kind word or them being able to hear a smile in your voice. I love the satisfaction of knowing that people are affected daily by what we do here at PreventionGenetics.
Hannah Polashek
Clinical Genetics Associate
My personal diagnosis of Turner Syndrome sparked my interest in genetics.
Dr. Renee Bend, Ph.D.
Human Molecular Geneticist and Associate Director of Sequencing Lab
The day I first learned about how genes (proteins) combine and interact to make humans, I thought it was the coolest thing going. In 22 years of subsequent study, this fascination has not waned.
Dana Schultz
Regional Account Manager
My entire career has revolved around the healthcare field and I was just lucky enough to gain experience in medical genetics, which led me to my current position at PreventionGenetics. I plan to stay involved with medical genetics because it's cutting edge, always changing/evolving, and growing at an amazing pace - never a dull moment!
Amanda Schussman
Lab Technician
I've always had a passion for genetics. Working in the medical genetics field allows me to both pursue my passion and help people.
Alicia Gardner
Associate Laboratory Manager
I am in medical genetics because I like being able to help families find an answer or a cause to a medical issue they may be facing. Answers help a family move forward from the "why did this happen" to the "how can we treat or manage this"
Farrah Uphoff
Lab Technician
To help patients get answers.
Connie Schultz, MS, CGC
Laboratory Genetic Counselor
Medical genetics is ever evolving (no pun intended), always exciting, is the future of medical intervention, and provides real hope for actual cures, not just fancy band-aids. Family is the core for the answers - how awesome and appropriate is that!?
Dr. Greg Fischer, Ph.D.
Human Molecular Geneticist
I always wanted to make a difference; to find answers. It is what drove me to pursue a career in genetics and healthcare. As a geneticist, I get to provide answers everyday. For a family that has just suffered a terrible loss or is concerned about what they don't know regarding a loved ones condition, a molecular diagnosis can put their mind at ease or provide some sort of closure. That's a powerful feeling.
Sarah Helmer
Associate Laboratory Manager
Working in a molecular lab is exciting - there's constantly new technologies or advancements being made to optimize and speed up ways to turn a starting sample into sequence for analysis. It's a good feeling knowing that even though we don't work directly with the patients or the providers, the work we do every day in the lab makes a huge difference in so many people's lives.
Dr. Eric Bend, Ph.D.
Human Molecular Geneticist
This is an incredibly challenging and rewarding field. The study of clinical genetics teaches me about human physiology from a different perspective with each disease. My pursuit for a diagnosis demands innovation and technical advancement constantly. All of this with the ultimate reward of diagnosing patients in need of answers.
Christina Zaleski, MS, CGC
Director of Genetic Counseling and Client Services
The power of genetics medicine is fascinating. We are all impacted by our family history and genetics. It's rewarding to work in a field where we can improve lives through genetic testing.
Rob Schiek
Regional Account Manager
I personally feel that we are on the cusp of personalized medicine, and genetics is on the forefront of this revolution. I have been in this field since 2006, and never has it been more exciting, with new Whole Exome Sequencing, Whole Genome Sequencing, and pharmacogenetics.
Steven Lenz
Lab Technician
Even though I deal mostly with tubes and pipettes, the fact that the results I produce will impact and, hopefully, improve the lives of people somewhere in the world and their families is really gratifying.
Gina Londre, MS, CGC
Laboratory Genetic Counselor
For the people and the challenge of being a "forever learner." Genetic medicine is a fascinating field with so much hope in gene discovery and novel therapies.
How to Get Involved in Medical Genetics Awareness Week
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) offers a number of resources on their website, including a Medical Genetics Awareness Week logo, customizable graphics, and social media profile picture frames. Participate in the conversation online by using any of the event hashtags:
#MedicalGeneticsAwareness
#IamaMedicalGeneticist
#IamaGeneticCounselor
#IamaLabGeneticist
#IamaNurseinGenetics
#IamaGeneticsPA
#FutureGeneticsProfessional
Careers in Medical Genetics
This is an ideal industry for those interested in a field that is always innovating, where they’ll constantly be learning, and where they can truly help make a difference in the lives of patients. There are a variety of career opportunities within the medical genetics industry, with each role playing a part in caring for patients and their families. Learn more about careers in medical genetics on ACMG’s website, and review our career opportunities here.