#112 Sam Toy on Pediatric Genetic Counseling

On this episode, we explore the pediatric speciality of genetic counseling. Guest Sam Toy is a pediatric genetic counselor at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She earned her BS in Biology and MS in Professional Biology from Indiana University. She went on to earn her MS in genetic counseling from Indiana State University.

On This Episode We Discuss:

The role of a pediatric genetic counselor

Outline of a genetic counseling session

Unique aspects of pediatric genetic counseling

Genetic testing whole genome/exome vs specific genes

Genetic testing results’ give a diagnosis, change medical management, and insurance coverage

Psychosocial aspects of counseling

Transitioning from grad school to being a genetic counselor full time

Application deadlines are approaching for genetic counseling grad schools, if you are working on your applications check out episode 87 which features tips from genetic counseling students on applications. Then episode 97 has advice on the other half of the application process (interviews, ranks, and match) once January/February rolls around.

Next week is Thanksgiving in the US, and that means it’s National Family Health History Day, so if you have an opportunity with family this holiday ask them about health history, it’s the best genetic test we have!

Variant classification and interpretation have become important skills for genetic counselors. But it takes so long! Even if it’s just a VUS you want to double check. To make it streamlined check out franklin.genoox.com/DNAToday. You can access so much information about a variant including relevant publications, automated ACMG classifications, annotations and phenotypes/disease. Best part? It’s free! All this data about one variant is compiled at your fingertips. No more sifting through PubMed! Join the future of variant interpretation.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on December 6th, 2019. New episodes are released on the first Friday of the month with some bonus episode thrown in there. See what else I am up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and iTunes. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNApodcast.com.