Media advisory: Genetic counseling for college students

WHAT: The University of Iowa is hosting an information session for college students in Iowa and neighboring states who are interested in master’s programs in genetic counseling.

Patient care is moving toward “personalized medicine” where decisions affecting a person’s health—such as what drugs to take for a condition to potential complications with having children—can be tailored to each individual. Genetic counseling is a key part of that personalized medicine movement, in that professionals are specifically trained to help an individual be aware of their health issues—from pre-natal to cancer to mental health—by tying it to their genetic makeup.

The problem is there are not enough certified genetic counselors to meet demand. In fact, in Iowa, there are only 12 such practicing professionals, or one for every 250,000 residents.

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Iowa Institute for Human Genetics, Room 283 Eckstein Medical Research Building, off Newton Road, UI campus (see map).

WHO:

• Undergraduate students at Iowa colleges who can talk about why they’re interested in the field

• Interns who are working with genetic counselors at UI Hospitals and Clinics, who can talk about what it means to be a genetic counselor and real stories of interacting with patients

• Colleen Campbell, a certified genetic counselor in Iowa who can talk about the need for such professionals in the state.

OTHER INFO:

• Please contact about plans to attend, so we can plan accordingly.

CONTACT: Richard Lewis, Office of Strategic Communication, richard-c-lewis@uiowa.edu; 319-384-0012 (w); 401-662-6336 (cell); Twitter: @UIowaResearch