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FACULTY MEMBER | BIOGRAPHY |
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Nancy Anoja,ÌýMSc, CCGCNancy Anoja graduated in 2009 from Université de Montréal (with an MSc) in genetic counselling and has been a Canadian Certified Genetic Counsellor since 2011. She has worked in a clinical setting since then; including four years in cancer genetics and one year with Orphanet-Quebec, gathering resources that are available as Orphanet’s reference portal. During the last 8 years, Nancy has worked at the Montreal Neurological Hospital, working as part of a multidisciplinary clinic for the ALS clinic, Movement disorder clinic, Epilepsy clinic and the Neurogenetic/Neuromuscular clinic. Working closely with specialized clinicians, researchers, nurse specialists and the clinical trial research unit, has allowed her to refine her knowledge and counselling skills specific in neurodegenerative diseases. |
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Adrienne Atayan, MSc, CCGCAdrienne Atayan is a genetic counsellor on the Adult Genetics team at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre in the Division of Medical Genetics. Adrienne obtained her BSc in Biology from the University of Manitoba in 2018 and her MSc in Genetic Counselling from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in 2021. Prior to joining the MUHC, she worked as a clinical research coordinator and research genetic counsellor at the Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute. In the General Adult clinic at the MUHC, she provides counselling and support to individuals and families with a wide diversity of genetic conditions. She also is involved in a specialty OculoGenetics clinic with particular focus on inherited retinal dystrophies, as well as other specialty clinics for aortopathies and sudden unexplained death. Adrienne is involved in the teaching and clinical rotation supervision of trainees of the McGill genetic counselling program. |
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Laurence Baret, MA, MSc, CGC, CCGCLaurence Baret has been a Genetic Counsellor in the Adult Genetics Program in the Division of Medical Genetics at the MUHC since 2015. Prior to joining the MUHC Genetics Program, she worked in prenatal diagnosis and cancer genetics at the Jewish General Hospital.ÌýShe received a Master of Arts in Bioethics in 2008 at Université de Montréal and a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling from University of Toronto in 2013.ÌýLaurence is a Lecturer in the Department of Human Genetics at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ as well as a clinical supervisor and research mentor to students in the MSc Program in Genetic Counselling.ÌýLaurence is an active member of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC); she has served as co-chair of the Scientific Planning Committee of the Annual Education Conference. She is also a member of the Canadian Certification Board. Laurence became the Associate Director of the MSc in Genetic Counselling Program here in January 2022.Ìý As a genetic counsellor, Laurence provides comprehensive genetic counselling consultations to individuals and families with a history of a genetic condition. Laurence sees patient with diverse genetic conditions at her General Adult Genetic Counselling clinics. She is also involved in the following specialty clinics: cardiogenetics, oculargenetics,ÌýAshkenazi Jewish Screening Program for Tay-Sachs disease, Familial Dysautonomia and Canavan Disease,ÌýHuntington predictive testing Genetic Counselling Program and the Neurogenetics’outreach Program with Abitibi. |
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Michaela Bercovitch Sadinsky, MSc, MSc, CGC, CCGCMichaela Bercovitch Sadinsky is a certified genetic counsellor at the Jewish General Hospital where she specializes in cancer genetics. Michaela obtained her BSc in Anatomy & Cell Biology (2017), MSc in Biochemistry (2019), and MSc in Genetic Counselling from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (2021). She then received both Canadian and American certification as a genetic counsellor. She has acted as co-coordinator for the first-year genetic counselling practicum course since 2022, and contributes to clinical and research supervision of genetic counselling trainees. Michaela’s main interests are alternative service delivery models of genetic counselling/testing and providing equitable access to genetic testing to aid in cancer prevention. She has served on committees with the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and Gynecology Oncology Canada, and enjoys volunteering for patient-facing events. |
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Frédéric Coulombe, MSc, CCGCFrédéric Coulombe is a certified genetic counsellor at the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory of the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre. Frédéric completed a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology at the University of Sherbrooke and a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling at the University of Montreal. Frédéric is the first genetic counselor in Quebec to be fully integrated in a molecular laboratory where his expertise is used in the approval of genetic testing requests, the education of requesting healthcare professionals, the review of genetic test results, the writing of result reports and the coordination of research projects. He is the organizer of the Medical Genetics Grand Rounds, a series of conferences from experts in the field of genetics held annually for the McGill Medical Genetics Division. He also has an appointment of Faculty Lecturer in the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Department of Human Genetics. His main interests are in optimising the genetic test request process, facilitating access to medical genetics services and advancing the role of genetic counselors in the laboratory setting. |
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Stella Drury, MSc, CGC, CCGCSince shortly after graduating as a Genetic counsellor, Stella hasÌýbeen working in the Pediatric Medical Genetics clinic at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Although the clinic is general, she is specifically interestedÌýin disorders of sex development and genodermatoses. SheÌýalso enjoy being a clinical supervisor for the MSc in Genetic Counselling program and teachesÌýa series of lectures in the 1st year Practicum class.ÌýOutside of work, herÌýinterests include hiking, cooking and classic literature. |
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Yasmin D’Souza, MSc, PhDPrior to obtaining her MSc in Genetic Counselling at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (2023), Yasmin completed a PhD degree in Cell Biology. Yasmin has coordinated projects in several areas of research, including cancer biology, kidney transplantation, and peroxisome biogenesis disorders. Currently, Yasmin is a clinical specialist in medical biology in the core molecular diagnostics laboratory at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Center. She combines her training in molecular biology and genetic counseling to develop targeted gene panels and interpret germline and somatic tests. Also, Yasmin’s primary research interest is ocular genetics; she is presently characterizing the genetic profile of individuals with inherited retinal dystrophies from Quebec. |
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Janine El Helou, MSc, CGC, CCGCJanine El Helou graduated from the Master’s of Biomedical Sciences Program in 2013 and the microprogram in Medical Genetics in 2015 from the University of Montreal. In 2017 she graduated from the Master’s of Genetic Counselling Program from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and obtained her Canadian and American certifications. After graduation, she worked in cancer genetics at the Jewish General Hospital and then in cancer genetics and adult genetics (endocrinology) at the CHUM. Janine has been working at the Jewish General Hospital in cancer genetics and prenatal diagnosis since 2018. Janine is involved in training and supervising genetic counselling trainees and residents in genetics. Furthermore, she co-coordinates a course offered to Genetic Counselling trainees at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Janine is currently the treasurer of the Quebec Association of Genetic Counsellors and has also previously served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and was co-chair of the Genetic Counselling Awareness Committee. |
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Jennifer Fitzpatrick, MSc, CGCJennifer FitzpatrickÌýis a genetic counsellor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics. She obtained her BSc in Biology from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in 1988 and her MS in Human Genetics/Genetic Counseling from the University of Michigan in 1989. She worked clinically in pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto and at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, and spent 2 years at INSERM SC11 in Paris as a research assistant, prior to returning to Montreal in 1999.ÌýAt McGill she has worked clinically in pediatrics at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and in prenatal diagnosis at the Jewish General Hospital.ÌýShe became the Director of the MSc in Genetic Counselling Program in 2005 and currently enjoys teaching and learning with students in the Faculties of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Law. |
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Stephanie Fox, MSc, MS, CGC, CCGCI have worked at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre since 2005 as a clinical genetic counsellor, first for a year in the hereditary cancer and Huntington disease clinics and then transferring to the pediatrics team at the Montreal Children’s Hospital where I have worked ever since. Most of my clinics are general genetics clinics, but I am specialized in some conditions, including ocular genetics conditions, neurofibromatosis and the periodic fever syndromes. I am involved in clinical supervision of genetic counselling students and genetics residents during their training and I teach a module on risk assessment to both groups as well as other trainees in genetics. I have also given lectures about our ocular genetics clinic to both ophthalmology and genetics trainees. Beyond the clinical work, I am co-lead in the effort to put professional regulation in place and ultimately obtain title protection for genetic counsellors in Quebec. |
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Steffany Grondin, MSc, PhD, CCGCSteffany Grondin is a Canadian certified genetic counsellor. She is currently working as a genetic counsellor at the MUHC’s cardiogenetics clinic. She completed a year of study in the Master of Experimental Medicine at the University of Laval, with Dr. Jacques Simard’s breast cancer research team. Following this, she pursued her studies with a Master’s in Genetic Counselling at the Université de Montréal, from 2015 to 2017. During these years, she was involved in a research project based on the parental expectations and perspectives regarding genetic testing for developmental disorders in Drs Annie Janvier and Isabelle Tremblay’s team. In May 2017, she began her career as a genetic counsellor at the Montreal Heart Institute’s cardiovascular genetics clinic. In 2018, she decided to pursue advanced studies and completed her Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences (PhD) with honors focusing on experimental medicine (cardiogenetics) under the supervision of Drs. Rafik Tadros and Mario Talajic. Her thesis subject was based on the genetic determinants of inherited cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias associated with sudden cardiac death. During her years of study, she was involved in the international gene curation group, ClinGen, as a curator for the cardiac conduction disorder panel. She also participated in an expert group within INESSS focusing on the evaluation of next-generation sequencing genetic panels for hereditary cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, and aortopathies). She now sits on the permanent deliberative committee for diagnostic approaches and screenings at INESSS. |
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Leah Hammond, MSc, MSc, CGCLeah graduated from the University of Toronto MSc Genetic Counselling Program in June 2022. She has worked since October 2022 in Prenatal Diagnosis at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. Prior to training as a genetic counsellor, she completed an undergraduate degree in biology and a master’s in human genetics at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. During this time, she cultivated a fondness for both genetics, and the vibrant city of Montreal. Leah previously worked for a science education company based in Montreal, where her science communication skills and creativity were constantly put to the test! When not talking about genes, Leah enjoys cycling, running, and stoking the blood sugar levels of her friends and family with baked goods. |
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Catherine Hudon, MSc, CGC, CCGCCatherine Hudon is a genetic counsellor working at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. She graduated from the Master of Science program in Genetic Counselling at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in 2019 and has been working in the subspecialty of oncogenetics ever since. Catherine previously worked part time as a clinical care coordinator, where she helped ensure that those patients who were found to carry a pathogenic variant in a gene predisposition to breast and/or ovarian cancer had the indicated follow-up with appropriate specialists. Catherine is passionate about timely and compassionate patient care. She consistently works with her team to devise and implement more effective ways to address long wait-lists that are present across all genetics clinics and subspecialties in the Province of Quebec. |
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Alana Mistry, MSc, CGCAlana holds a Master of Science in Genetic Counselling from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and a BSc in Psychology from the University of Ottawa. Following graduation, she achieved ABGC certification and worked clinically in Cancer Genetics at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut before returning to Montreal to pursue a Neurogenetics role at the Montreal Neurological Hospital. She currently holds a dual role at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre as a Laboratory and Clinical Cancer Genetic Counsellor while also co-coordinating the Practicum I course offered to first-year McGill Genetic Counselling students. Alana is committed to providing high quality patient care from both a laboratory and clinical perspective, and hopes to continue to broaden her expertise to provide meaningful contributions to society and the growing genetic counselling profession. |
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Lara Reichman, MSc, CGC, CCGCLara Reichman isÌýgenetic counsellor primarily specializing in cancer. In the last few years, she hasÌýworked in a both research and clinical role, seeing patients for pediatric and adult oncogenetics. SheÌýworks with Dr. Catherine Goudie on a variety of projects related to pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes, including the McGill Interactive Pediatric OncoGenetic Guidelines (MIPOGG) app and a registry tracking events in people living with cancer predisposition syndromes. TheyÌýmanage a Pediatric Oncogenetics Surveillance clinic for children and adolescents at the MCH who require regular screening. She says, "It is aÌýprivilegeÌýto work with these families."ÌýThis dual role has given LaraÌýmore research experience and provided a great foundation to contribute to the HGEN 610 Independent Studies Project course. Lara is alsoÌýinvolved with the HGEN 641 Genetic Counselling Practicum II course. |
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Laura Palma, MSc, CGC, CCGCLaura received her MSc in Genetic Counselling from the University of Toronto in 2005 and joined the Department of Medical Genetics at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Center (MUHC) shortly after graduation where she remains today. She is certified by both the American Board of Genetic Counselors and the Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling. In her role as a clinical cancer genetic counsellor, Laura sees patients and families at risk for a variety of hereditary cancer and neoplasia syndromes, both in the adult and pediatric settings. Laura is an Assistant Professor in the McGill Department of Human Genetics and is actively involved in course coordination and teaching, clinical research, and supervision of genetic counselling students. She is currently co-chair of the Private Pay testing ad hoc committee of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and is an active member of the Canadian Cancer Genetics and Genomics (C2G2) Community. Her research interests are in the areas of hereditary cancer and mainstreaming models of cancer genetics service delivery.
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Guillaume Sillon, MSc, CCGCGuillaume Sillon is a genetic counsellor working at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Center since 2008, after graduating from the Master’s in genetic counselling of the University of Montreal. Certified by the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) in 2009 and after 2 years in prenatal diagnosis, Guillaume has been working in adult genetics with patients and families affected with different conditions (cardiovascular, neurological, ocular etc.). He has also been involved with the improvement of the access to carrier screening for the Ashkenazi Jewish community through the establishment of an . Guillaume is involved with teaching Ï㽶ÊÓƵ genetic counselling students. He has served on the Board of the CAGC and of the Quebec Association of Genetic Counsellors, has been involved with a few CAGC committees and contributed to the development of , an online translation tool of genetic counselling terms. Finally, he started collaborating with the genomics team of the World Health Organization in 2015. His main interests are population screening and facilitating access to medical genetics services globally |
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Evan Weber, MSc., CGC, CCGCEvan Weber is a certified genetic counsellor at the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre where he provides clinical genetic counselling to adults and children in the Hereditary Cancer Clinic. Evan received a Bachelor's degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, and a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling from the University of Toronto. As a part of the McGill MSc in Genetic Counselling program, Evan provides clinical supervision to trainees, as well as didactic teaching and supervision of student research projects. He has an appointment of Faculty Lecturer in the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Department of Human Genetics. Evan's clinical and research interests include genetic testing for ovarian cancer, genetic counselling service delivery models, and pediatric hereditary cancer syndromes. Ìý |
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