Thursday, June 9, 2011

Update from the Genetic Counseling Advanced Degree Task Force

The update below is a guest post from the Genetic Counseling Advanced Degree Task Force.

The Genetic Counseling Advanced Degree Task Force (GCADTF), with representatives from the American Board of Genetic Counseling, the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors, the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors Certification Board, the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors, held its second meeting on May 25th. As reported previously, this group is tasked with exploring the potential benefits and limitations of an advanced clinical degree in genetic counseling, including the Clinical Doctorate. Since the last announcement in March, the GCADTF has been unable to identify resources that would allow for the original proposal of hosting a summit focused on this topic. Therefore the GCADTF developed a lower cost means of educating our various members using a Webinar format. This is a complicated issue and it is vital that there be a knowledgeable discussion among our members.

The Webinar, tentatively planned for later this summer, will spell out several issues that must be considered if a profession chooses to move to a Clinical Doctorate degree. It will include information about issues relevant to students contemplating the genetic counseling profession, practicing genetic counselors, training programs and more. The Webinar will be hosted more than once so that ideally everyone who wishes to participate will be able to do so. In addition, we plan for:

1. Brief facilitated discussions to follow each Webinar where there will be an opportunity to submit comments.
2. An on-line survey for comments to be posted after each Webinar.
3. Additional electronic forums where interested stakeholders can submit comments.

Watch for further announcements and be part of this very important conversation!

Of course if you have any questions, feel free to contact a GCADTF representative!

Debra Lochner Doyle, MS, CGC (ABGC)
Holly Peay, MS, CGC (ABGC)
Sheila O'Neal (ABGC)

Jaspreet Sekhon-Warren, MS, CGC (CAGC)
Stephanie Kieffer, MS, CGC (CAGC Certification Board)

Jennifer Fitzpatrick, MS, CGC (AGCPD – Canadian Programs)
Casey Reiser, MS, CGC (AGCPD)
Laura Conway, MS, PhD CGC (AGCPD)
Carol Walton MS, CGC (AGCPD)

Karin Dent, MS, CGC (NSGC)
Brenda Finucane, MS, CGC (NSGC)
Meghan Carey (NSGC)

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