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DNA Dialogues: Conversations in Genetic Counseling Research

DNA Dialogues: Conversations in Genetic Counseling Research

By: Journal of Genetic Counseling (Jehannine Austin Naomi Wagner Khalida Liaquat Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen)
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 In DNA Dialogues we dive into the intricate world of genetic counseling research. Join us as we peel back the layers of groundbreaking articles from the Journal of Genetic Counseling, bringing you exclusive discussions with the authors themselves. Each episode sparks a vibrant exchange, exploring the latest discoveries, ethical dilemmas, and technological advances that are shaping the future of medical genetics. From navigating complex testing decisions to building trust with diverse communities, listen in as we unpack the science, challenge assumptions, and celebrate the human connection at the heart of genetic counseling research. So, grab your headphones, unravel the double helix, and prepare to be captivated by the array of voices in DNA Dialogues, a podcast where the blueprint of life meets intimate human conversation.Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved Biological Sciences Science
Episodes
  • Genetic Counselor Appreciation: Professional Identity & Well Being

    Genetic Counselor Appreciation: Professional Identity & Well Being
    Nov 27 2025
    Earlier this month, we celebrated Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day on November 13! In recognition of this, we are featuring 2 articles that explore professional issues in the field of genetic counseling. In our first segment, we talk to Dr. Rachel Mills about the professional identity of early-career genetic counselors and in the second segment, we speak to Dr. Laura Yeates about self care strategies in cardiovascular genetic counselors.

    Segment 1: Early-career genetic counselors' professional identity formation through experiences with continuing education at a professional conference

    Dr. Rachel Mills is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research for the University of North Carolina Greensboro Genetic Counseling Program. She is a career-long research genetic counselor who is passionate about mentoring student researchers. Rachel's recent research has focused on professional issues in genetic counseling.

    In this segment we discuss:

    • How early-career genetic counselors form and affirm their professional identity.
    • Generational differences in values and post-COVID conference experiences.
    • The role of mentorship and community in fostering belonging.
    • Implications for training programs and future identity research.

    Segment 2: Well-being and self-care strategies for cardiovascular genetic counselors: A qualitative study

    Dr Laura Yeates is a certified cardiac genetic counsellor with more than 18 years' experience, working in both research and clinical roles. She recently completed her PhD in genetic counselling under the supervision of A/Prof Jodie Ingles at the Garvan Institute in Sydney, Australia. Her PhD focused on developing a support intervention for families affected by sudden cardiac death as well as well-being in cardiovascular genetic counsellors. Laura is a past Chair (president) of the Australasian Society of Genetic Counselors (ASGC) and continues to volunteer on various ASGC committees.

    In this segment we discuss:

    • How cardiac genetic counselors experience and manage the emotional impact of sudden cardiac death cases.
    • The role of countertransference, supervision, and team support in sustaining well-being.
    • How administrative burden contributes to stress and reduces time for meaningful clinical work.
    • Practical and organizational strategies that help counselors build sustainable self-care routines.

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Sydney Arlen.
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    53 mins
  • #21- From Specialty Clinics to Family Medicine: Rethinking Access to Genetics

    #21- From Specialty Clinics to Family Medicine: Rethinking Access to Genetics
    Oct 30 2025

    The case for integrating genetic counselors into primary care:A paradigm shift for our profession

    Natasha Berman (she/her) MA, MS, MPH, CGC is a clinical genetic counselor at the UPMC Department of Family Medicine who works within the primary care precision medicine clinic. She provides direct patient care to patients for a variety of indications. She has coauthored multiple textbook chapters covering family medicine genetic topics. Her primary areas of research include improving equitable genetics care.

    Vivian Pan, MS, CGC is a Senior Genetic Counselor at the University of Illinois Cancer Center and Mile Square Health Center, where she provides genetic counseling services and conducts research on integrating genetics into primary care settings. She has extensive experience developing telehealth and precision medicine programs across diverse healthcare settings, with a focus on increasing equitable access to genomic medicine for underserved populations.

    In this episode we discuss:

    • Integrating genetic counseling into primary care to improve access and equity
    • Educating and collaborating with primary care providers to enhance and expand genomic care
    • Expanding counselor roles for multifactorial conditions and preventive care
    • Sustaining the model through advocacy, partnerships, and reimbursement reform

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • #20- Revisiting Research: Implementation Science & Retrospective Chart Review

    #20- Revisiting Research: Implementation Science & Retrospective Chart Review
    Sep 25 2025
    In this episode, we talk with two authors who have papers featured in the special issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling on Research Methods in Genetic Counseling. In the first segment we explore implementation science and its utilization in bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. In our second segment, we talk to an author about retrospective chart reviews and the benefits and drawbacks of this methodology. Segment 1: A guide to utilizing implementation science for genetic counseling Alanna Kulchak Rahm is a certified genetic counselor and implementation scientist with a PhD in Health and Behavioral Science. She has spent her career specializing in the implementation of genomics and precision health in healthcare systems. For over 25 years, she has conducted research on the utilization of genetic information by individuals and healthcare systems, new paradigms for identifying individuals with genomic risk, and new service delivery models for genomic testing. She has been a driver for the integration of implementation science and patient engagement to understand and study the integration of genomics into the learning health system, and is a tireless advocate of implementation science in genetic counseling. She has participated in and led many workshops and trainings on implementation science in genetics, serving as a faculty mentor for the NIH Training in Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer (TIDIRC) and recently as a co-lead of the Training in Dissemination and Implementation Research in Genomics and Precision Public Health (TIDIR-GPPH). She is currently a Program Director in the Division of Genomic Medicine at the National Human Genome Institute (NHGRI) where she directs the Network of Genomics-Enabled Learning Health Systems and other programs and continues to advance the integration of implementation science and genomics. In this segment we discuss: Implementation science (IS) as a bridge between research and clinical practice in genetic counselingMisconceptions about IS, key frameworks like RE-AIM, and practical applications in daily workUsing IS to identify and reduce inequities in genomic medicineFuture integration of IS into training, research, and professional practiceLink to the 2025 annual conference on dissemination and implementation Segment 2: Leveraging hindsight: A retrospective chart review how-to for genetic counselors Dr. Ramsey is the Section Chief of Individualized Therapeutics in the Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovation at Children’s Mercy. She is leading the implementation of a pharmacogenomics program that is fully integrated with the electronic health record, developing model-informed decision support for several medications, and Co-director of their Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology Fellowship Program. Before joining Children’s Mercy, Dr. Ramsey was an Associate Professor and co-director of the Genetic Pharmacology Service at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Pharmacogenetics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and received her PhD in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Dr. Ramsey is interested in all aspects of pharmacogenetics, from basic research to implementation in patient care. In this segment we discuss: The role of retrospective chart reviews in genetic counseling researchCommon pitfalls such as unclear aims, time demands, and data extraction challengesStrategies for success, including SOPs, REDCap, and multidisciplinary collaborationLessons learned on refining criteria, ensuring data quality, and team engagement Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”. For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others. Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com. DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
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