#369 Grant Funding for Genetic Counselors: Advice from a $20M Awardee

What would you do if you had millions of dollars in funding to transform the future of genetic counseling? Few in our field have successfully taken on that challenge, and Dr. Kathleen Valverde is one of them; she has secured two groundbreaking grants totaling almost $20 MILLION. We sat down with her in-person for this episode to hear her advice on acquiring grant funding and the profound impact it can have on advancing our profession.

Episode Topics Discussed:

• Kathy's Motivation and Background
  • Kathy's role as a program director and her journey in genetic counseling.
  • The importance of scholarships and funding for diverse backgrounds.
• Grant Funding and Impact
  • Details of the grants from the Warren Alpert Foundation.
  • The impact of these grants on genetic counseling education and diversity.
• Challenges in Genetic Counseling
  • Discussion on the barriers to funding and access in genetic counseling.
  • Kathy's personal experiences and commitment to overcoming these challenges.
• Mentorship and Networking
  • The role of mentorship and networking in Kathy's success.
  • Advice on starting with small grants and building a track record.
• Programs Supported by Grants
  • Overview of the Alliance for Genetic Counseling and Career Ladder Education Program.
  • Benefits provided to students, including tuition, health insurance, and stipends.
• Educational Opportunities and Continuing Education
  • The importance of continuing education for genetic counselors.
  • Details of the Advanced Research Training Certificate Program.
• Long-term Effects and Measuring Success
  • Metrics and outcomes of the grant programs.
  • Success stories and the impact on students' careers.
• Advice for Aspiring Grant Recipients
  • Kathy's advice on grant writing and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  • The importance of perseverance and community support.
• Future of Genetic Counseling
  • Kathy's vision for the future of genetic counseling.
  • The need for continued education and support in the field.

The Guest:

Kathleen Valverde, PhD, MS, LCGC is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and one of the most influential leaders in genetic counseling education. She is the principal investigator of two major Warren Alpert Foundation grants — the Alliance for Genetic Counseling (AID-GC) and the Career Ladder Education Program for Genetic Counselors (CLEP-GC) — totaling nearly $20 million to expand diversity, access, and research training in the field.

Across her 40-year career, she has trained nearly 400 genetic counselors, served in key leadership roles for national organizations including ACGC, and helped establish genetic counseling licensure in Pennsylvania. A BRCA-positive family member herself, Dr. Valverde brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her mission of strengthening the genetic counseling workforce and advancing patient care.

Relevant Resources:

• Grant Superhero: Kathleen Valverde, PhD, LCGC
• Dr. Kathleen Valverde’s PubMed Articles
• Warren Alpert Foundation
• The Warren Alpert Foundation Career Ladder Education Program - The Advanced Research Training Certificate Program for Genetic Counselors (or ART-GC)
• Alliance for Genetic Counseling Fellowship
• Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award (AHSPA)
• Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship (JEMF)
• The Basser Center for BRCA
• PhenoTips Speaker Series Live Podcast Episode: Proving Profitability in Genomics with Dr. Eric Green, Brian Reys, Marianne Olson, and Dr. Colleen Campbell

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episodes:

#25 Interview with Cancer Hereditary Experts (with Ellen Matloff)

#91 Ellen Matloff on Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing

#136 Linda Robinson on the History of Genetic Counseling

#234 Genetic Counseling History: 1st NSGC Conference

#235 Genetic Counseling History: ABGC Formation

#244 Genetic Counseling History: The 70s

#319 New CPT Code 96041 Explained: 2025 Billing for Genetic Counselors

#361 The Economics of Genetic Counseling: Policy, Industry & Career Advice (with Ellen Matloff)

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