Supplemental Learning Activities Descriptions

Genetic Counseling Leadership Seminar Series

Offered: Throughout length of the program
Requirement: Required activity

First- and second-year students will participate in a regular seminar series throughout the program, meeting every 1–2 months. This series facilitates exploration of leadership concepts and the leadership process. Through participation in this activity, students will develop better understanding of leadership processes and strategies, and appreciate the vast leadership opportunities and needs within the genetic counseling field, including those aimed at building diversity, equity, and inclusion within genetic counseling graduate programs, the genetic counseling profession, research, and health care. Each session will feature a guest who will engage in unpacking their leadership praxis as it pertains to genetic counseling and interdisciplinary practice.

Genetic Counseling Journal Club

Offered: Throughout length of the program
Requirement: Required activity

First- and second-year students participate in journal clubs throughout the program. Each student will present and lead journal club discussions to their classmates and program faculty. Each discussion topic will be selected by the student, and will include recent publications about advancements in genetic testing technology, policy updates, case reports, clinical research, or opinion articles. Each student will be expected to participate in the discussions if they are not presenting that month.

Attendance at Genetic Counseling Case Seminar I and Genetic Counseling Case Seminar II courses, 1st Year Students

Offered: Fall and Spring of 1st year
Requirement: Required activity

First-year students will attend regular one-hour seminars during which second-year genetic counseling students present and facilitate discussion based on real cases from their clinical rotations.

Interdivisional Genetics Conference

Offered: Summer through Spring of 2nd year
Requirement: Required activity

Students will attend and participate in the weekly interdivisional genetics conference which involves an interdisciplinary group of professionals and trainees within the University and Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Cases are presented by various genetics specialty groups including Pediatric Genetics, Neurogenetics, Adult Medical Genetics, Cancer Genetics, Ocular Genetics, and Reproductive Genetics. In addition, administrative and educational updates relevant to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling are discussed. Non-genetics providers and other trainees are also typically in attendance.

2 Days of Clinical Observation with a URMC Genetic Counselor

Offered: 1st year
Requirement: Required activity

First-year students will spend two clinics (on two different days) observing a genetic counselor during a genetics clinic at URMC. Each clinic will occur with a different genetic counselor and specialty. Through participation in this activity, students will develop greater understanding of the components and structure of genetic counseling visits, and how genetic counselors function as members of the healthcare team.

Laboratory Fieldwork with URMC Cytogenetics and Array Labs

Offered: 1st year
Requirement: Required activity

First-year MSGC students will have a one-week laboratory fieldwork experience with the Cytogenetics and Array labs with UR Medicine Labs (three half days total). Students will tour and observe the laboratory workflow from specimen arrival through to issuing of test reports. Students will be provided with exposures to various test methods (karyotype, FISH and chromosome microarray), protocols, and data analysis and interpretation. Through participation in the laboratory experience, students will develop greater understanding of the lab processes and develop skills that are important in the laboratory setting. In addition, students will come to recognize various professional roles in the broader healthcare system as it relates to the laboratory setting, and practice building working relationships with other members of the healthcare system.

Day Observation with URMC Social Work & Day Observation with URMC Interpreter

Offered: 1st year
Requirement: Required activity

First-year students will spend one half day observing a social worker within URMC, and one day observing a URMC interpreter. Through participation in these activities, students will develop greater understanding of the roles of social workers and interpreters within the medical center setting. Students will develop greater understanding of advocacy for individuals, families, and communities. Additionally, students will recognize various professional roles in the healthcare system and practice building working relationships with other members of the healthcare system.

Thesis Development Workshops

Offered: Spring of 1st year
Requirement: Required activity

First-year students will participate in a Thesis Development Workshop (two workshop meetings total) with their classmates and MSGC faculty members. Students will further develop and review research project ideas, receiving support and feedback from peers and faculty. Within this time frame, each student will confirm a thesis advisor prior to the start of the GNC 491 Master’s Research Thesis I course which begins in the summer semester.

Community Engagement Summer Program (40-hour Community Engagement Experience)

Offered: Summer between 1st and 2nd years
Requirement: Required activity

The University of Rochester MSGC Program recognizes the importance of humanistic and community-oriented genetics care. The provision of this relies upon an in-depth understanding of the impacts of genetic conditions on the lived experiences of individuals and families, outside of the clinical setting. We value opportunities to spread public health awareness and build connections with the communities we serve. Each student will be expected to participate in community engagement activities during the summer between their first and second years of the program. They will spend 40 hours individually at a local community organization of their choice. Faculty coordinators will facilitate connections with local, relevant community organizations. Students are also welcome to suggest another organization to work with, however, this is subject to approval by faculty coordinators. Students will be co-supervised by SMD faculty and point-persons on site at community organizations. After completion of participation requirements, a ‘retreat’ will be hosted by faculty for students to present and discuss their individual and group experiences. Students will also be required to submit a self-reflection essay regarding their individual 40-hour experiences.

Examples of participating community organizations have included:

• 13thirty Cancer Connect
• Goodwill Vision Enterprises
• Roc City Sickle Warriors
• Mary Cariola Center
• Empowering People’s Independence
• Rochester Ataxia Foundation

Employment Preparation Workshops

Offered: Fall 2nd year
Requirement: Required activity

Second-year MSGC students will participate in a workshop series (3 workshops) to further prepare for a genetic counseling career. Information regarding approaches to job search, networking, interviews, negotiations, and CV preparation will be addressed. During this process, all students are expected to develop an updated CV.

Certification Exam Preparation Workshops

Offered: Spring of 2nd year 
Requirement: Required activity

Second-year students will participate in a workshop series (2-3 workshops) in the Spring semester. Through participation in this activity, students will develop greater understanding of American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) Certification Examination requirements, exam content, process, and resources. Strategies for exam preparation/studying will be reviewed. Practice examination questions will be provided. 

Genetic Counseling Community Mentorship Program

Offered: Throughout length of the program
Requirement: Participation optional

All MSGC program students within the University of Rochester have the opportunity to participate in this mentorship program, in which each student will be paired with a “community” genetic counselor mentor. Genetic counselor mentors currently work and/or live in the Rochester/Upstate NY region, or have been part of this community in the past. University of Rochester MSGC program faculty members and rotation supervisors will not serve as mentors. Mentors and mentees will be encouraged to meet (either in-person or virtually) approximately 2-3 times a semester, or as often as they choose.

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