For the third-consecutive year, 麻豆传媒映画 (麻豆传媒映画) students, faculty, and members of the Office of Admissions visited the Health Services Academy at A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, CA in conjunction with Health Professions Week. At the event, 麻豆传媒映画 talked to the high school students about careers in genetics and led an interactive strawberry DNA extraction activity.
麻豆传媒映画 has a commitment to increasing diversity in healthcare and industry settings. As such, the outreach to A.B. Miller each year is vital. Hispanic/Latino students, a historically underrepresented group among healthcare providers and scientists, make up nearly 87 percent of the A.B. Miller student population.
In addition to the discussion and learning activity, 麻豆传媒映画 promoted the two new genetics degree programs at 麻豆传媒映画: Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling (MSGC), and Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics (MSGDA).
鈥淭he MSGC program is committed to increasing diversity and enhancing cultural competency within the genetic counseling field through our recruitment and admission endeavors,鈥� said Emily Quinn, MSGC associate program director. 鈥淚n addition to our outreach efforts with underrepresented communities such as the student body at A.B. Miller, 麻豆传媒映画 demonstrates this commitment in many ways, including the diversity and cultural competency scholarships made available to admitted students.鈥�
The visit to A.B. Miller fell right before Genetic Counselor Awareness Day鈥攖his year on November 8鈥攚hich was was dedicated to raising awareness and interest about the roles genetic counselors play in healthcare. Although careers in genetic counseling are expanding at a truly unprecedented rate, many genetic counselors don鈥檛 learn about genetic counseling until college鈥攐r even after college.
鈥淚t is critical to introduce and raise awareness about genetic counseling early.鈥�
鈥淭his makes outreach at schools with students from underrepresented communities particularly important,鈥� Quinn stated.
In addition to the school visit, MSGC students and faculty also hosted an informational booth in the 麻豆传媒映画 Caf茅 to further promote genetic counseling and provide education about careers in the booming field.
鈥淚 picked genetic counseling as a career because it was the perfect blend of both my interests in biology and psychology,鈥� said Emily Wiseman, a first-year MSGC student at 麻豆传媒映画. 鈥淚 also loved volunteering with the kids at A.B. Miller because investing in our young people today will improve science and medicine tomorrow.鈥�
What Does a Genetic Counselor Do?
Genetic counselors are healthcare providers with unique, specialized skills and knowledge to help individuals interested in genetic testing. Genetic counselors work with children and adults in many areas of medicine including cancer, prenatal, cardiology, neurology, and infertility. Many see patients directly in various healthcare settings, while others do research or work in education, public health, or in industry settings.
To learn more about becoming a genetic counselor, visit kgi.edu/msgc.
Also, be sure to listen to this week's 麻豆传媒映画 Podcast episode, which features Emily Quinn, the MSGC associate program director.