May 27: Case Based Webinar - Part Two

Explore how unexpected findings and non-traditional clinical pathways can lead to metabolic diagnoses in this case-based NSGC webinar. Through real-world examples, speakers highlight key features of metabolic disorders, diagnostic challenges, and strategies to shorten the diagnostic journey. Attendees will gain practical insights to recognize atypical presentations and improve identification and care for patients with metabolic conditions.

Presenters: 

NSGC Metabolic and Lysosomal SIG
Dawn Laney, MS, CGC
Kelly Jackson, MS, CGC

Learning Objectives: 

1. Review case studies that delineate non-traditional paths to metabolic diagnoses
2. Understand key features of metabolic diseases that can help lead providers to diagnosis
3. Consider education for providers along non-traditional pathways that might help decrease the diagnostic odyssey for metabolic conditions

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for Serendipity and Coincidence: Non-traditional Routes to Metabolic Diagnosis. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification.

Successful Completion:
1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

This package includes all 24 webinars, along with CEUs, from NSGC's 2025 Webinar Series in one comprehensive package.

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer Category 1 contact hours for the activities in the 2025 Webinar Series Package. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification.

Successful Completion:
1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

Join us for an engaging, case-based webinar that brings the realities of genetic counseling into focus through complex, real-world clinical scenarios. In this interactive session, expert genetic counselors will walk through challenging cases that highlight evolving genetic knowledge, nuanced risk assessment, and the counseling strategies needed to support patients facing difficult decisions.

Presented by: 

Rozalia Valentine, MS, CGC
Brettne Frewin Elizabeth Spitzer, PhD
Kendra Schaa, ScM, CGC
Laura Godfrey Hendon, MA, MS, LCGC

Date: March 18, 2026

Learning Objectives: 

1. Illustrate the role of a genetic counselor in client-centered decision-making
2. Demonstrate how genetic counselors fit within the larger healthcare system
3. Review the wide differential and one center’s testing strategy for fetal cystic hygroma.
4. Examine the impact of severe intrafamilial variable expressivity in a “lethal” Mendelian disorder on patient expectations and coping.
5. Assess the limitations of current NMD vs NDD classification frameworks in DYNC1H1-related disorders and their impact on accurate diagnostic prognostication
6. Integrate patient and caregiver narratives into genetic counseling practice to inform communication, expectation-setting, and support.

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for NSGC Case Based Webinar - Part One. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification.

Successful Completion:

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

Join the genetic counseling champions behind the NSGC Cancer Business Case Toolkit for an in-depth discussion of its development, strategic framework, and practical applications. This session will explore how the toolkit was created, how it can be effectively leveraged within your institution, and how its principles can inform the development of a compelling business case to integrate a genetic counselor into your practice.

Presented by:

Allison Harvey, MPH, CHES, Rhizome
Sara Pirzadeh-Miller, MS, CGC
Jaime Grund, MS, LGC
Stephanie Cohen, MS, LCGC
Charlie King, MGC, CGC
Kristen Shannon, MS, LCGC
Scott M. Weissman, MS, CGC

Date: March, 16 2026

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the core elements of the NSGC Business Case Toolkit for oncology genetic counseling services.
2. Describe how toolkit elements can be applied to your practice
3. Recognize the importance of clinical, financial, and operational metrics in developing a sustainable oncology genetics program

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for Making the Case: A Business Toolkit for Expanding Genetic Counseling in Oncology. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification.

Successful Completion:

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

This webinar equips genetic counselors and healthcare professionals with practical knowledge to navigate hereditary thoracic aortic disease across diverse clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on the clinical significance of these conditions, relevant practice guidelines, their contribution to sudden cardiac death, and current as well as emerging innovations that inform patient care. 

Presented by: 

NSGC Cardiogenetics SIG
Christina Rigelsky, MS, CGC
Erin Demo, MS, CGC
Gretchen MacCarrick, MS, CGC 

Date: September 10, 2025 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify relevant guidelines for aortic disease.
2. Recognize the genetic basis of syndromic and non-syndromic hereditary thoracic aortic disease.
3. List medication and surgical innovations for individuals with hereditary thoracic aortic disease. 

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for Aorta University 101, 201, 301. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification. 

Successful Completion: 

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

This webinar will cover recent research on what motivates genetic counselors to remain in their positions, emphasizing the role of generational differences—an important consideration as the field faces a projected workforce shortage by 2030. Insights suggest that retention strategies may be more effective when they are tailored to counselors' generational age, personal motivations, and specific work environments, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. 

Presented by: 

NSGC Leadership & Management SIG
Jade Frye, MS 

Date: June 25, 2025 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify the top factors influencing retention among patient-facing genetic counselors.
2. Compare the key factors influencing their decision to stay in their current positions with those identified in this study.
3. Analyze how retention factors differ by generational age group (e.g., Generation X vs. other generations) among genetic counselors.
4. Compare how work setting types (e.g., industry, academic centers, non-hospital clinics) impact the prioritization of different retention factors

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for Factors Influencing Retention of Patient-Facing Genetic Counselors: Role of Generational Age and Work Environment. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification. 

Successful Completion: 

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

In 2020, a major laboratory upgraded the CDKN2A c.146T>C (p.I49T) variant to variant to “likely pathogenic” (LP). This prompted reevaluation of internal data and consultation with other major laboratories regarding their current classifications of the variant to determine how to appropriately provide cancer screening recommendations for individuals with this variant, as well as their families. It became clear there was still a discrepancy in classification and further evaluation was needed to clarify the significance of this CDKN2A variant. To help inform the cancer phenotype of this variant, a collaboration was formed between the Cancer Genetics groups from Stanford, UCLA, UCSF, USC, and UT Southwestern - centers that serve a significant number of patients who are Hispanic/Latino, especially those of Mexican ancestry. We will review the primary findings from this research collaboration as well highlight psychosocial issues, insurance considerations, importance of anticipatory guidance surrounding secondary findings, and the complexities of counseling about a variant with discrepant classifications and limited phenotype data by using case examples. We hope this brings awareness to the ongoing complexities and nuances of managing patients' care with the CDKN2A p.I49T variant, as well as the role of a genetic counselor in navigating uncertainty. 

Presented by: 

NSGC Cancer SIG Antiracism Subcommittee
Ashlie Browning, MS, CGC
Charité Ricker, MS, CGC
Daisy Hernandez, MS, CGC 

Date: June 11, 2025 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Review the status of discordant classifications of the CDKN2A I49T variant (2020-current).
2. Highlight the primary goal of a collaborative research effort and summarize our main findings.
3. Illustrate case examples and identify common counseling challenges associated with CDKN2A I49T.
4. Discuss the psychosocial challenges CDKN2A I49T may have on Hispanic/Latino (H/L) patient populations 

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for CDKN2A p.I49T – to screen or not to screen?. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification. 

Successful Completion: 

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

Join us as we discuss how the FDA's Final Rule on Laboratory--Developed Tests (LDTs) could shape the genetic testing industry and genetic counseling practice. We will cover the current state of regulation of laboratory tests including FDA authorization, CLIA certification, and CAP accreditation before exploring the details of the Final Rule, its historical context, and its implications for labs, clinicians, and patients. With ongoing litigation, advocacy, and political influences at play, this session will provide a timely overview of the evolving landscape of LDT regulation. 

Presented by: 

NSGC Lab and Industry SIG
Emily Dalton, MS, CGC
Jennifer (Jen) Leib, Sc.M., C.G.C. 

Date: April 16, 2025 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Define the difference between an LDT and FDA-approved IVD and provide examples of each.
2. Explore the regulatory landscape of laboratory testing and different entities involved.
3. Understand how the Final Rule on LDTs changes the definition of medical device, how the FDA will phase out its practice of enforcement discretion, and ongoing advocacy efforts to rescind the rule.
4. Identify the challenges and opportunities this regulatory change creates for genetic counselors. 

Continuing Education Unit Approval: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for Regulatory Shifts: How The FDAs Final Rule Could Shape Lab Developed Genetic Tests and Genetic Counseling Practice. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification. 

Successful Completion: 

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation

There is widespread interest in and uptake of qualitative forms of inquiry across healthcare professions, including genetic counselling. Despite this, there are limited qualitative research training opportunities and much of the work being produced may not reach the quality threshold needed to be useful for informing evidence-based practice. Methodological coherence is a tool that can be used to enhance quality. It is defined as the alignment of the major elements of a research study (e.g. research question, methods/methodology, presentation of results) with the philosophical assumptions underpinning the research. This webinar will cover topics to enhance awareness of methodological coherence when reading, taking up qualitative research findings as an end-user, appraising qualitative research as a reviewer, and as researchers planning, conducting, and supervising qualitative research. By improving understanding of qualitative research paradigms and methodological coherence and providing strategies for ensuring coherence, this webinar will prepare attendees to engage in meaningful and rigorous qualitative inquiry.

Presented by: 
1. Dr. Tasha Wainstein, PhD, MSc (Med), CCGC

Date: April 2, 2025  

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the key philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research (i.e., ontology, epistemology, axiology, methodology) and their utility in guiding the conduct of genetic counselling research
2. Compare the major qualitative research paradigms (i.e., positivism, constructivism, critical theory, pragmatism) and their implications for knowledge generation in genetic counselling research
3. Describe important considerations involved in choosing a methodological approach for qualitative genetic counselling research
4. Appraise the quality and rigor of qualitative genetic counselling research using methodological coherence 

Continuing Education Unit Approval:

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for From Paradigms to Practice: Methodological Coherence in Qualitative Genetic Counseling Research. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification. 

Successful Completion:
1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation