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GOLDEN: A grassroots initiative to increase the number of Black genetic counselors

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Barbara Harrison, MS, CGC

Howard University

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Disclosures

  • I have no disclosures to report.

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Learning objectives

After this presentation, participants should be able to:

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  1. Describe the events and workforce challenges that led to the development of the Genetics Opportunities, Learning, Development and Empowerment Network.
  2. Name the various ways that GOLDEN provides support to prospective Black genetic counselors.
  3. Summarize the initial findings of a qualitative assessment of the value of GOLDEN to mentees, as well as positive and negative aspects of the GC career pathway process.

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GOLDEN Co-Founders

Barbara Harrison, MS, CGC

  • Raised in rural Southern Maryland
  • Parents African-American, lived on tobacco farms, graduated from HBCUs
  • Undergrad at Univ of MD College Park
  • GC degree from University of Pittsburgh, first Black graduate in 1995

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Grace-Ann Fasaye, ScM, CGC

  • Raised in Silver Spring, MD
  • Father is Nigerian, mother is African American
  • Graduated from University of Maryland Baltimore County
    • Meyerhoff Scholar
  • Bridge year spent as an intramural research training awardee at the National Institutes of Health
  • GC degree from the NIH/JHU genetic counseling training program in 2000

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GOLDEN Team Members

Erica Price, MS, CGC

Social media

  • Born and raised in Washington, DC
  • Born to African-American parents
  • Undergrad at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
  • Graduate degree from Arcadia University in 2019

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Tatiana Garrison, MS, CGC

Outreach

  • From Englewood, New Jersey
  • Born to African American parents
  • Graduated with a biology degree from Howard University in 2019
  • Graduated from the Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program in 2021

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GOLDEN Origin Story

  • A bond and a shared passion
  • Years of discussions about lack of diversity in the field
  • Development of genetic counseling “camp” career awareness programs
  • Intersection of historical events and impact on all aspects of society
    • Murder of George Floyd
    • Black Lives Matter
    • COVID-19 pandemic
    • Healthcare disparities
  • Initially supported by funds from the New York Mid-Atlantic Caribbean Regional Genetics Network

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Why Must We Increase the Diversity of the Genetic Counseling (GC) Workforce?

GCs are needed who understand the culture, speak the language, and are trusted by traditionally underserved and exploited communities

GCs whose racial and ethnic background is similar to that of the patient are more likely to present information in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner

Diversity leads to decreased health disparities and improves outcomes for minority patients

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Mentoring activities to prepare future students for GC graduate school�

Meetings to assist prospective GC students with the application process

Conduct individual and group mock interviews for applicants to GC programs

1 on 1 tutoring with a writing specialist to improve writing skills, especially to assist students with GC program personal statements

Case conferences to expose students to GC in clinical practice, especially for those not able to access these opportunities elsewhere

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Networking activities �

  • Share resources and guidance for obtaining GC internships and shadowing opportunities

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    • Resources provided through private LinkedIn group and email lists

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  • Provide networking opportunities to prospective and current GC students
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Outreach

  • Conduct informational seminars and workshops to educate students about the genetic counseling field

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  • Primarily target Black minority premed/health undergraduate organizations at HBCUs
    • Biology/Chemistry Clubs
    • Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS)

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Social Media�

  • Increase awareness of GC and related career events through posts and videos on various social media outlets (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) geared toward post-baccalaureate, undergraduate students and high school students

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  • Most active during Black History Month and Match Day

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LinkedIn

YouTube

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Experiences of Mentees and the Impact of GOLDEN

  • Almost 300 mentees since 2021
  • Conducted 19 semi-structured interviews in 2023 and 2024
  • Aimed to:
    • Elicit barriers and facilitators during the GC career pathway process, from discovery of the career to applying to programs
    • Assess perceptions of being a member of GOLDEN
  • Reflexive thematic analysis approach to analyze transcripts
  • All self-identified as Black, African-American, Black African or Black Caribbean
  • 11 matched to programs, 8 did not

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Impact of participation in GOLDEN

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Positive aspects of the

career pathway process

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Negative aspects of the career pathway process

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There are structural and resource barriers to becoming a genetic counselor, and support organizations can play a critical role to address them, specifically those intentionally designed to meet the needs of prospective genetic counselors from underrepresented groups.