Master of Science in Genetic Counseling - MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA

STUDENT GUIDE

Class

of 2023 & 2024

Welcome to IHP

Dear Prospective Student,

I am delighted that you are considering MGH Institute (“IHP”) for your genetic counseling graduate studies!

There is an energy at the IHP that can’t be matched - the focus on interprofessional education, team-based learning, innovative curriculum content and design, and the use of simulation and standardized patients makes this an exciting place to learn, study, and grow professionally. Our experienced faculty will guide you every step of the way, and the IHP is a fantastic foundation for your life-long learning in the field of genetics and genomics.

You will experience innovative teaching, unparalleled access to leading academic medical centers and health care sites across New England and beyond, outstanding clinical and non-clinical fieldwork experiences, expansive research opportunities, and an active-learning curriculum. All of these components create an engaging learning environment that equips genetic counseling students to provide exemplary patient care, recognize and attend to the needs of their clients, effectively communicate complex genetic information, and advance genomics research.

Please explore the IHP on-line, visit our campus, and meet with a faculty member. We are excited to get to know you!

With Warm Regards,

Maureen Flynn, MS, CGC, MPH Associate Professor and Chair, Dept of Genetic Counseling Director, M.S. in Genetic Counseling MGH Institute of Health Professions

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counselors (GCs) are health care professionals who combine their knowledge of basic science, medical genetics, epidemiological principles, and counseling theory with their skills in genetic risk assessment, education, interpersonal communication, and counseling to provide services to clients and their families for a diverse set of genetic and genomic indications.

MS Genetic Counseling Program Highlights:

» Receive mentoring from faculty who are leaders in the field and practicing clinicians, bringing real-life experience into the classroom.

» Learn and collaborate with students and practitioners from across the health professions. Interprofessional teambased experiences will strengthen your ability to provide patient-centered care in an increasingly complex health care environment.

» Team-based learning (TBL) is at the heart of our program. Throughout your course of study, you’ll work with a team of students with diverse skills and backgrounds. Rather than sitting in lecture all day, class time is spent with your team under expert faculty guidance working through real-life clinical problems and scenarios.

» As part of Mass General Brigham (MGB), New England’s largest health care organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions offers you unparalleled access to leading academic medical centers and health care sites across New England and beyond.

Why Study at IHP

As you think about your future studies, there are many reasons to choose MGH Institute of Health Professions.

IMPACT Practice Center

The IMPACT Practice Center was specifically designed for students from the MGH Institute’s genetic counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and speech-language pathology programs to collaboratively learn from and with each other on how to provide the team-based care that improves patient outcomes.

The IMPACT Practice Center will allow the Institute to significantly increase the 10,000 hours of free care – valued at more than $1 million – it provides to Charlestown and Boston area residents. Learn more about our IMPACT Practice Center

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

A new way to learn. A better way to deliver care.

As a student at MGH Institute, you will interact with clinicians from various professions to learn firsthand about the importance of interprofessional practice. Learn more about our Interprofessional Education

EXPERT FACULTY

Leaders in Their Fields.

Learn from faculty members who have earned national and international recognition for practice and research. The majority are active clinicians who bring real-life experience into the classroom and are on the cutting edge of patient care.

Why Study at IHP

Diverse Fieldwork Experiences

At MGH Institute, each student will have a unique fieldwork plan that can be tailored to their interests.

Clinical placement opportunities for our students within Mass General Brigham include:

• Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH)

• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

• Newton-Wellesley Hospital

• Massachusetts Eye and Ear

• Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

These institutions are regularly ranked as the best hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

IHP is dedicated to training genetic counselors for the future of genetics and genomics. Fieldwork opportunities exist within the MGH Center for Genomic Medicine, BWH Genomes2People (G2P) Research in Translational Genomics and Health Outcomes, and Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine (which includes the Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and Translational Genomics Core).

IHP genetic counseling graduate students will:

• Demonstrate competency and effective communication in the delivery of evidence-based genetic counseling services to patients/clients throughout the lifespan

• Adhere to the Code of Ethics of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

• Establish strong interprofessional relationships to support the provision of client-centered, team-based care

• Demonstrate social responsibility, serve as an advocate, and develop skills to influence public policy to improve genetic counseling services and quality healthcare

• Commit to lifelong learning and leadership in the field through participation in professional development activities.

Genetic Counseling Students Garner Awards

Four students in the Genetic Counseling Class of 2022 received small grants from different groups within the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). Pei- Chen (Emily) Hsieh, Gwen Muscato, Abigail Sveden, and Amin Zarkesh were awarded a total of seven grants for their Capstone projects.

Pei-Chen (Emily) Hsieh, GC’22

Project title: Understanding family communication about disease risk in Each Asian individuals with an inherited arrhythmia condition.

Grant awards: NSGC Cardiovascular SIG

Grant Award, NSGC International SIG Grant Award, and NSGC Research SIG award.

Gwen Muscato, GC’22

Project title: Psychosocial outcomes and family communication after genetic testing for a childhood-onset hereditary cancer syndrome.

Grant award: NSGC Pediatric and Clinical SIG Research Award.

Abigail Sveden, GC’22

Project title: Introduction of the genetic counseling profession by teachers in BIPOCmajority high schools.

Grants awarded: Jane Engleberg Memorial Fellowship Student Research Award and NSGC Education Special Interest Group (SIG) Grant Award.

Amin Zarkesh, GC’22

Project title: Identifying views and perspectives towards genetic counseling among Iranians in the United States.

Grant awarded: NSGC Awards Committee Student Research Scholarship.

Meet Our GC Faculty

Maureen Flynn, MS, CGC, MPH Program Director Associate Professor

Gayun Chan-Smutko, MS, CGC Associate Program Director Associate Professor

Joel Krier, MD, MMSc, FACMG Medical Director Associate Professor

Allison Cirino, MS, CGC Director of Student Research Associate Professor

Ann Seman, MS, CGC Director of Clinical Education Assistant Professor

Kristen Mahoney Shannon, MS, CGC Professor

Meet Our GC Faculty & Staff

Jessica Waxler, MS, CGC Assistant Professor

Anshul Kumar, PhD Assistant Professor

Sanae Maouhoub, MA Program Manager

Perman Gochyyev, PhD Assistant Professor

Our Commitment to Diversity

Advancing Care for a Diverse Society

Diversity at the MGH Institute encompasses an inclusive and welcoming environment enhanced by persons who differ in gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, socio-economic background, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, and religious belief. This expression of our commitment to diversity is reflected in a community bound by the desire for equal consideration for all people. It is affirmed by the Institute’s policies and recruitment and retention activities, thus ensuring that all members of our community have the ability to reach their individual and collective potential.

Institute Pledges to Combat Racial Injustice Head On

In late June 2020, the IHP announced the diversity office would become the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, or JEDI. Its agenda includes a new anti-oppression statement; the expansion of the JEDI Fellowship program; programs to improve the diversity, retention, and support of faculty, staff, and students of color, especially Black faculty, staff, and students; and a review and streamlining of procedures for reporting bias.

Commitment to Equity and Anti-Oppression

We define equity as seeking to ensure fair treatment, equality of opportunity, and fairness in access to information and resources for all. Addressing inequities includes making changes in professional practice, health policies, healthcare financing, and systems of care. Our aspirational goal is to develop and teach our students skills to better serve marginalized and minoritized communities in order to address existing inequities. Read more about our Commitment to Equity and Anti-Oppression.

Serving the Community

Serving the Charlestown Community and Beyond

The MGH Institute plays an active role in helping our local and global communities. As a graduate school for the health professions, we are drawn to help those in need whenever there is a call for assistance. Community service is such an integral part of the Institute’s daily efforts that it is one of the key principles in our Mission Statement. Faculty, students, and staff at the Institute participate in numerous community activities throughout the year, including service learning via their education and volunteering in their free time.

Read more here.

Safety on campus

The IHP provides trained security officers to help ensure you are safe on campus. If something goes wrong or doesn’t seem right, help is just a phone call away. We are committed to a safe, inclusive and respectful community, free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

Find out more >

Student Life

Enjoy Life on Our Boston Campus

Located in Boston’s Historic Charlestown Navy Yard, MGH Institute offers a picturesque view of the Boston Harbor, with historic sites such as the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument within walking distance of campus.

Enjoy Life on our Campus

Library

IHP Library is the heart of the Institute. Our huge range of resources, and guidance from our expert library staff, will set you on the path to success.

IHP School Store

MGH Institute has partnered with TextbookX, an online bookstore provider known for reducing costs to students through their textbook Marketplace.

Student Clubs

Clubs and societies are one of the easiest ways to get involved, meet new people, build your network and have an amazing time at IHP.

Find out more about the library

Find out more about our school store and merchandise

Getting to the IHP

There are several options to get to campus, including public transport, shuttle buses and parking facilities.

In and Around Boston

Find out more about our clubs

Off-Campus Housing

Find out how to get to IHP campus

There is perhaps no better place to be a graduate student than the Boston area. Besides a multitude of culinary, historical, recreational, ethnic, and cultural resources, Greater Boston is home to more than 250,000 college students in 50 colleges and universities.

Find out what’s around Boston

Whether you’d like to live with other students or on your own, we can help you find a perfect place to call home.

Find out more about housing

What We Provide

Academic Support Counseling

Academic Support Counseling is a resource for students’ academic and personal development. Students can meet one-on-one with an Academic Support Counselor (ASC) who will work with the student to identify what challenges he or she is facing and discuss strategies for improvement.

Find out more about academic counseling

Personal Counseling

Students of MGH Institute who may be experiencing difficulties that affect their personal lives or program performance are encouraged to use the Mass General Brigham Student/Employee Assistance Program (SAP/EAP) for consultations, short-term counseling, information, and referral.

Find out more about counseling

Career Development

Reaching Your Career Goals: The Office of Career Development is dedicated to assisting students and alumni fulfill their potential as health professions leaders of tomorrow through: individual and group advising, writing tutoring, employment application preparation, career workshops, recruitment events, mock interviews, and job search training.

Find out more about career services

Accessibility Resources

Students at MGH Institute are supported by a caring staff with policies and procedures to ensure equitable access. Accessibility Resources aims to advocate for and support students with disabilities on campus and arrange accommodations when needed that allow them to succeed.

Find our more about accessibilty resources