Specialty Genetics Facility San Jose Medical Center Department of Genetics Address 5755 Cottle Road - Bldg. 1 San Jose CA 95123 Map & Directions Telephone Direct Line: 408-972-3213 Fax: 408-972-3298 Office: (408) 972-3300 E-mail your doctor View your preventive services

Department Hours

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Closed	8:30 am 5:00 pm	8:30 am 5:00 pm	8:30 am 5:00 pm	8:30 am 5:00 pm	8:30 am 5:00 pm	Closed

Certified Genetic Counselor

Regional Cancer Genetics Coordinator

Regional Huntington Disease Predictive Testing Program Coordinator

Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors identify families at risk for birth defects or genetic disease, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, and analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family. Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. For more information about genetic counselors please visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors website at www.nsgc.org .

My Biography

I come from Toronto, Canada and moved to San Jose in February 2000 to work with Kaiser Permanente (KP). My particular area of interest and expertise is hereditary cancer predisposition. In my position as the Regional Coordinator I am responsible for Cancer Genetics Services at all northern California KP facilities.

I have been the genetic counselor and coordinator for our northern California Huntington's disease predictive testing program since August 2005. This program was started by geneticist Dr. David Witt in 1990. He continues to head the program today.

As a practicing genetic counselor I have developed an interest in medical ethics and pursue professional activities and education in this field. I have been serving on the hospital Ethics Committee at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center since 2002 and on the Biomedical Institutional Review Board of Kaiser Foundation Research Institute since 2001.

As a genetic counselor my philosophy is to CARE for you and your family by:
C - interpreting Complex family histories and genetic test results for patients and providers.
A - Accessing and providing up-to-date inforamtion.
R - Reviewing and selecting the most appropriate quality care.
E - Educating families and facilitating decision making about. management and preventive strategies.

Bachelor of Science	University of Toronto	1993
Master of Science in Genetic Counseling	McGill University	1995
Certified Genetic Counselor	American Board of Genetic Counseling	1999

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