It’s Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day!

Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day takes place on the second Thursday of November each year. 

It is an opportunity for Genetic Counsellors throughout North America to raise awareness and interest around this exciting healthcare field. Laura has worked as a genetic counsellor at the MUHC in the specialty of cancer genetics for 20 years. Like her colleagues, she has a specialised education in both molecular and medical genetics as well as psychosocial counselling and ethics.

We asked Laura, what does ‘We are the MUHC’ mean to you?

“For me, what it means is that all staff are integral to providing excellent patient care—there is no MUHC without the lab technician to process blood samples, the molecular geneticist who interprets complicated DNA test results, or the genetic counsellor who ultimately conveys the information to a patient and their family. Physicians, nurses, allied health, administrative staff, IT, technical services, and the countless other silent heroes of our workplace; all of us are the MUHC.

“Without an amazing administrative staff, supportive managers, or a general collaborative spirit, it would have been difficult for me to last 20 years in this field! Some days are challenging and at times, feel thankless. That said, there is a spirit of innovation at the MUHC that is very motivating. We are always trying to do more with less and behind great ideas are great people. Genetics is very much a field that is constantly evolving and many of us stay the course because we are passionate about what we do and we understand the direct impact we can have on patients and families.”

On a more personal level, Laura says it has been incredible to witness the evolution of hereditary cancer genetics over the past two decades:

“What was once seen as a very niche subspecialty of medicine is now very mainstream in the oncology world. Through the close collaboration of our medical genetics and oncology teams, the MUHC has been leading a massive paradigm shift which places genetic testing at the centre of personalised medicine for cancer patients. Genetic testing has become more accessible than ever at the MUHC, reaching more patients with a quicker turnaround time. It is exciting to see this evolution.”

Laura describes the MUHC as the right place for new patients:

“Patients hear by word of mouth that the MUHC is a centre of excellence, and that is where you go to receive the best care. In some ways, we are victims of our own success!

“At the MUHC, we are fortunate to be able to serve members of the same family, whether they live in Montreal or Le Grand Nord (or anywhere in between). Telemedicine has enabled us to expand genetic counselling services to reach more patients with the ultimate goal of providing greater access to genetic testing. Through education and improved accessibility to testing, we have worked hard to demystify the field of medical genetics. We want to be seen as mainstream and not intimidating. Genetics can have a tremendous impact on both common and rare diseases that affect the population in a way that no other medical subspecialty can.”