Students gain insight with genetic counseling program

By Brooklyn Jones
University News Services

Two Virginia Commonwealth University students have been given a taste of careers in genetic counseling following completion of a summer internship in genetics and disabilities hosted by VCU's Partnership for People with Disabilities and two other universities.

The summer internship was part of a program called SYNERGY, a leadership-training program for genetic counselors who work with children with special health care needs and their families. The eight-week internship was designed for college students who have an interest in genetic counseling, in helping children with developmental disabilities and in careers on a health care team. It was hosted in collaboration with Virginia State University and Virginia Union University.

"They get a lot of exposure to numerous specialties in genetic counseling," said Maria Guiure, a graduate student mentor for SYNERGY. "The program broadens their horizons to what's available and possible career paths."

According to Guiure, the student's observations really put things into perspective.

Designed for VCU and VUU students in good academic standing who are recommended by their advisers, the SYNERGY summer internship allowed participants to gain hands-on experience by working with patients and medical professionals.

Throughout the eight weeks, students became part of a health care team and worked with their own graduate student mentors. At the end of the program, students had to give a presentation on a project.

"I think the program was more hands-on than they expected," said Guiure. "They were actually allowed to interact with real patients. The program let them see things that aren't available in a typical undergraduate program."

The program was made possible by a grant awarded to VCU's Partnership for People with Disabilities to develop a leadership-training program for genetic counselors who work with children.

SYNERGY is a cooperative attempt between the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, a training program of the VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities and the Genetic Counseling Program in the VCU School of Medicine.