Penn Medicine received a donation of $9.7 million from the Warren Alpert Foundation to support the WAF Career Ladder Education Program for Genetic Counseling. credit: Anna Vazaeparanville
of Warren Alpert Foundation Donated $9.7 million to Penn Medicine to support the teaching and research efforts of genetic counselors.
The subsidy is Career Ladder Education Program for WAF-Genetic CounselingAccording to the news release, this will allow genetic counselors to continue their education and research new ways to introduce genomic data into clinical practice. It was published January 4th.
Led by genetics researchers and Perelman School of Medicine faculty, genetic counselors receive advanced training in areas such as inherited diseases, risk assessment, cancer prevention, and family planning.
of WAFs is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health through grants and program activities. In 2021, WAF will become Penn Medicine $9.5 million in grants Promote diversity in genetic counseling. This new grant will allow genetic counselors to continue their educational work.
WAF Career Ladder Education Program for Genetic Counseling Also Includes Creation of New Online Continuing Education Unit course For genetic counselors. Each of her 1-credit CEU courses provides genetic counselors with a comprehensive lesson in genomics or personalized medicine.
Other potential initiatives include creating a certificate program for advanced training, developing a postgraduate PhD in genetic counseling, and designing more CEU courses.
Penn’s Perelman College of Medicine partners with four other institutions. Baylor College of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicineand the University of Washington School of Medicine.WAF chose these institutionsas a grant recipient based on competence in clinical programs, pre-existing master’s programs in genetic counseling, as well as pen medicine, and commitment to research.
“It is important to create a robust career ladder to support advanced training and professional development of genetic counselors.” Daniel Rader“This commitment to career development for genetic counselors is an integral part of the five participating institutions,” said Penn’s Medicine, chair of the Department of Genetics and director of translational medicine and human genetics. It will be transformative not only, but nationally and globally.”
Augusto Caesarexecutive director of the WAF, told Penn Medicine that institutions and organizations that help develop the field of genetic counselors could have far-reaching positive outcomes.
“Given the increasing complexity of career development and the expanding role of genetic counselors, career development support is essential. We are delighted to be able to award this grant,” Schiesser told Penn Medicine.
