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Genetic Counselor Awareness Day is Nov. 14. Genetic counselors (GCs) are licensed and board-certified healthcare providers who practice in many different specialty areas, providing clinical care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The profession of genetic counseling began in 1969, and over 5,000 GCs currently practice in the United States. In addition to clinical care, genetic counselors also work in research, education, and industry. Fifteen genetic counselors currently work at UVA Health, practicing in cancer, cardiovascular, neurology, pediatrics/general genetics, and prenatal settings.

Genetic counselors have specialized education in both medical genetics and psychosocial counseling and are collaborative members of an individual’s healthcare team. Genetic counselors fill a crucial role in healthcare — identifying key information and assessing risk based upon an individual’s personal and family health history, helping patients better understand the genetic testing process, ensuring informed consent and navigating the complexities of possible results, and supporting individuals and families upon receiving a genetic diagnosis. 

As healthcare moves toward personalization, genetic testing is more frequently being requested from patients and providers in all areas of medicine. Genetic testing may help to elucidate an underlying cause for disease, illuminate potential health risks for patients and family members, inform medical management/treatment, and connect patients and families facing a rare disease with resources and community. In addition, genetic testing results are increasingly being used to guide selection of chemotherapy and determine eligibility for gene therapy and/or clinical trials. GCs are valuable members of the healthcare team helping to increase access to genetic testing and empower patients in making informed healthcare decisions.

Genetic Counselor Awareness Day is an opportunity to highlight the unique expertise genetic counselors at UVA Health bring to patient care, and their dedication to ensuring that clinicians and patients have access to genetic counseling and testing at our institution. Join us today to celebrate your GC colleagues at UVA Health for their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care!