Facility San Jose Medical Center Department of Genetics Address 5755 Cottle Road - Bldg. 1 San Jose CA 95123 Map & Directions Telephone 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

Background

I grew up in Long Island, New York and received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. After working in the pharmaceutical industry for five years, I realized that the area in healthcare that I was missing was patient contact. I pursued my longstanding interest in genetics and combined it with my wish to have direct patient contact when I attained my master's degree in genetic counseling at Brandeis University in 1998. I began working at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center after graduating in 1998, but left in 2005 following a cross-country move back to Massachusetts, where I worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the Adult Genetics Clinic and as a project manager for the ”Brigham and Women’s Hospital Family History Project”. I returned to the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center in 2011.

Philosophy of Care

As a genetic counselor, my goal is to help my patients understand complex genetic information and provide support in decision-making. As a provider in Kaiser Permanente, I am able to offer many services and resources available within the organization. I want my patients to feel that they are able to ask questions and receive answers in a comfortable environment. Please feel free to contact me at (408) 972-3310.

State University of New York at Stony Brook; Bachelor of Science, Biology, 1991

Brandeis University; Waltham, MA, Master of Science, Genetic Counseling, 1998

About Genetic Counselors...

Although the field of genetic counseling has been around for over 30 years, many people are unfamiliar with the role of genetic counselors in medicine. Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. They work as members of a health care team, providing support and information about genetic conditions using easily understandable language. Genetic counselors identify families at risk for birth defects or genetic disease, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, 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.

Personal Interests

In my free time I enjoy playing with my children, biking, swimming, and listening to music.

Recommendations

The specialty of genetics is constantly evolving and growing as we continue to learn more about the genetic basis of disease. There can also be a lot of confusing information in the popular media. Please be cautious when using the internet to learn more about genetics as many sites are not regulated. The genetics team makes every effort to stay up-to-date regarding new developments, both in clinical practice and research, and to apply this knowledge in caring for our patients. Please visit these credible web sites for more information about genetics.

Kaiser Permanente Genetics Web Site

March of Dimes

National Society of Genetic Counselors

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