Genetic Counseling Experience Initiative
About us . . .
GCEI is currently a student-organized group of prospective genetic counselors. Our events are organized by our student staff and in coordination with the genetic counselors who are kind enough to support our efforts. GCEI was started as a response to the shadowing difficulties prospective students were facing from the Covid-19 Pandemic. Our programs have evolved into another way for prospective students to gain exposure to the field. We hope our programs will continue to serve as a way to help decrease the informational gap that exists between prospective students and the field of genetic counseling, especially amongst students with less accessibility to genetic counselors.
About our Programs . . .
Syndrome Symposium
The Syndrome Symposiums is a program offered by GCEI focused on providing prospective students with educational information about syndromes seen in the patients genetic counselors treat. The presentations are done by genetic counselors and can be accessed via our YouTube channel by private links shared on Syndrome Symposium's recordings channel and on the Google Sheet.
Case Series
The Case Series is a program offered by GCEI focused on providing prospective students with information and examples of how genetic counselors treat their patients and focuses on providing applicable information. The presentations are done by genetic counselors and can be accessed via our YouTube channel by private links shared on Case Series' recordings channel and on the Google Sheet.
Journal Club
The journal club is a student and prospective student-organized group that meets to discuss the scientific literature being published by the GC research community. Journal club provides an opportunity for members to develop their analytical skills and provide exposure to current topics for research in the context of the genetic counseling profession. The discussions happen via Zoom and recordings are accessible by members of the group via a Google Drive folder. The folder is shared within the Discord and emails sent out.
Book Club
The Book Club is a student and prospective student-organized group that meets to discuss books relevant to the field of genetic counseling. The books selected are books suggested by the NSGC and Program Directors from ACGC accredited genetic counseling programs. Books were curated to illuminate new world views to its participants, ranging from patient and medical professional perspectives to the experiences of people with disabilities. Participants can vote for the monthly book via Discord. Book Club is scheduled for the third Saturday of odd-numbered months.
Movie Club
The Movie Club is a student and prospective student-organized group that meets to discuss visual media relevant to the field of genetic counseling. Our watch list is curated to illuminate new world views to its participants. The media selected varies from movies, short films, and documentaries. Topics depicted include not only the lived experience of living with disabilities and/or genetic disease but also public health and medical ethics. Movie Club is scheduled for the second Saturday of even-numbered months.
