IHE Welcomes Program Director of New Genetic Counseling

Jenny Geurts, MS, CGC, has been appointed program director of the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program within the Graduate School. In her role, Jenny will oversee the development and implementation of the genetic counseling program, anticipated to launch in August 2021.

Geurts is the current associate director of genetic counseling for the Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and has been practicing as a clinical genetic counselor for 13 years, the last eight years of which at MCW. She is the founding president of the Wisconsin Genetic Counselors Association and chair of MCW’s Advanced Practice Provider and Allied Health Provider Committee.

There is a great need for genetic counselors in the delivery of precision medicine. Geurts’ recent research identified that Wisconsin currently only has 50% of the genetic counselor workforce needed to meet clinical demand. Over the next 10 years, the employment for genetic counseling is expected to increase by 27%, which is one of the fastest growing health professions.

Geurts will be working over the next year to recruit and train faculty, cultivate community partnerships and complete the program accreditation process. We look forward to her vision and leadership as we expand our offerings to the next generation of scientists and clinicians.