logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
31m 11s

#336 Sharpening Genetic Counseling Skill...

Kira Dineen
About this episode

It’s an in-person episode! On Sarah Lawrence College’s campus, host Kira Dineen interviews former classmate Carli Andrews, MS, CGC. We explore the evolving landscape of continuing education for genetic counselors. 

 

Carli joins us to discuss GC+ Academy, an innovative educational initiative designed to enhance professional skills and provide continuing education units (CEUs) for genetic counselors. She shares insights into the academy’s unique learning model, which integrates real-world applications, case-based learning, and flexible course structures to accommodate busy professionals. We also explore how GC+ Academy is addressing crucial gaps in genomic education by offering courses in personalized healthcare, business mindsets, systems theory, and communication strategies.

 

Tune in to gain valuable insights into how genetic counselors can apply systems thinking to healthcare, understand the business side of their profession, and prepare for the future of precision medicine. Carli also highlights the importance of communication training in bridging the gap between genetic counseling and the broader healthcare community. Learn how GC+ Academy is transforming continuing education for genetic counselors and how you can take advantage of this cutting-edge learning platform!

 

The Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership has generously provided a discount to all DNA Today listeners! Use our code “DNATODAY” for a 20% discount on all GC+ Academy courses and learning paths. In truly generosity, the code doesn’t expire, because we should always be learning! 

 

Topics Covered in This Episode:

  • The inspiration behind GC+ Academy and the need it fills in genetic counseling education
  • How GC+ Academy differs from traditional CEU programs
  • The benefits of flexible, self-paced learning paths
  • Why understanding healthcare systems is crucial for genetic counselors
  • The growing importance of business and financial knowledge in genetic counseling
  • The role of communication training in genomic medicine
  • The future of continuing education in genetic counseling

 

The Guest 

Carli Andrews, MS, CGC. is a board-certified genetic counselor and an alumna of Sarah Lawrence College (MS ‘19). She has a rich background in both clinical and industry settings. Andrews is dedicated to making genomic information accessible and impactful for diverse populations in her role as Head of Program Development for the Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership. Carli's most recent role prior to joining the Institute was as a medical science liaison where she excelled in providing scientific and clinical expertise, supporting multiple teams including commercial operations and medical affairs, and engaging with the genetics community at national conferences.

Carli views her role at the Institute as a pivotal opportunity to drive forward the mission of advancing precision medicine through genomics education and workforce development. Coming into this role at a crucial time, she is actively involved in creating innovative educational programs designed to equip the current and next generation of genomic professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the evolving landscape of healthcare. Carli earned her MS in Human Genetics from the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College and her BS in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics from Towson University.

 

Resources 

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 300 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com

Up next
Today
#362 Optical Genome Mapping: Detecting Structural Variants Missed by Traditional Tests
What if we could detect structural changes in DNA that traditional tests often miss? On this episode of DNA Today, we’re diving into optical genome mapping (OGM), a cutting-edge technology transforming how we detect genetic variants and structural abnormalities. We’ll explore wha ... Show More
28m 45s
Oct 3
#361 The Economics of Genetic Counseling: Policy, Industry & Career Advice
The third Connecticut Genetic Counselors' Association (CTGCA) Annual Educational Conference was held last Friday (September 25th, 2025) at the gorgeous Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. Our host Kira Dineen resides in Connecticut and has been luc ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 26
#360 Hereditary Breast Cancer on the Big Screen with “Love, Danielle”
What would you do if you learned your DNA carried a mutation that gave you up to an 85% lifetime risk of breast cancer? That’s the impossible decision at the heart of Love, Danielle, the first scripted feature film to explore the very real struggles of living with a BRCA gene mut ... Show More
31m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
452: Women's Health, Hormones + The Patriarchy - With Dr. Rachel Rubin
Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's guest is known internationally for her advocacy and expertise in women's health. I was so grateful to speak to Dr. Rachel Rubin about hormones, menopause, pelvic health and much more. If you identify as female or love someone who does, yo ... Show More
52m 36s
May 2024
Ep 37: Talking with patients about sad, bad and difficult things
This is Episode 37 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. [Content warning: This episode centres around cancer. As such, it makes references to medical events and themes that some listeners may find d ... Show More
42m 8s
Jul 2024
Brian McFerron - EI in GI: Emotional Intelligence in Training and Your Career
Are you emotionally intelligent? In this new episode Drs. Temara Hajjat and Jason Silverman sit down with Dr. Brian McFerron to review what emotional intelligence is, and how it applies to medical training, healthcare practitioners and everyone as individuals. We also discuss way ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2023
131| Consciousness in Epilepsy – A Conversation With Dr. Hal Blumenfeld
Today we give you our conversation about consciousness in epilepsy with Dr. Hal Blumenfeld, Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Neurosurgery at Yale University. In addition to being a well-regarded teacher of neuroanatomy, Hal is also a researcher, with his primary focus be ... Show More
24m 45s
Aug 2024
444: Sandtray, Brainspotting + Expressive Therapies For Trauma with Dr. Julia Knach
This week's episode of Therapy Chat features Trauma Therapist Network member Dr. Julia Knach. Julia has worked for years with survivors of child abuse and is now the owner of a group practice North of Baltimore, Maryland as well as a training institute. In our conversation, Julia ... Show More
52m 40s
Jul 2024
Episode 285: Digital Data Collection with Caitlin Beltran, BCBA
In this episode learn how to simplify and streamline your data collection process using Google Sheets. Caitlin Beltran joins the podcast to give an overview of why digital data collection is helpful, how to get started with this setup, and tips for staff training and organization ... Show More
13m 37s
Apr 2025
Ep 40: Kink, community, and transformation
The massive variety of human sexual interests is a little mind-boggling. As what we consider to be sexually typical continues to be expanded and shaped by the internet and popular culture, psychologists are making efforts to research kinks and members of the kink community like n ... Show More
38m 12s
Jun 2024
484 - Compersion is a Spectrum with Dr. Marie Thouin
Today, Dr. Marie Thouin is back to talk about compersion and her new book on the subject.Dr. Marie Thouin is a Mindful Dating & Relationship Coach who supports people of all backgrounds and relational orientations to create intentional and vibrant love lives. She is a leading exp ... Show More
1h 4m