K
elly Minks is a senior associate faculty member and board-certified genetic counselor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Kelly graduated from the University of Rochester in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2011 with a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling.
She has previously worked as a reproductive genetic counselor and hereditary cancer genetic counselor. She has held her current role as a clinical genetic counselor for the Department of Neurology since 2014. Her current primary focus is genetic counseling for patients with pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, hereditary ataxias and Huntington disease.
Read this ABGC spotlight with Kelly Minks, MS, CGC, to learn about her career journey, what she values most as a certified genetic counselor and her passion for neurogenetics.
ABGC: Can you share your journey into specializing in neurogenetics, and what motivated you to focus on your specialties in your counseling practice?
Kelly Minks, MS, CGC: I actually didn’t seek out a position specifically within neurogenetics! I decided to move closer to my family and got lucky that a newly created position within the child neurology division with a neurogeneticist became available. My role has since evolved from pediatric neurogenetics to working with both pediatric and adult patients. Almost 11 years later, I now work in a variety of specialized clinics within several different divisions, including the neurofibromatosis clinic, presymptomatic Huntington disease clinic, hereditary ataxia clinic and memory care clinic. Working within a specialty like neurogenetics has given me a high level of career satisfaction. I have had many opportunities for professional development and research and have had the opportunity to meet and work with experts in neurology. I’ve had many opportunities to teach at all different levels and have been lucky enough to be a part of expanding our neurogenetics services, including developing a genetic counseling-only clinic to support all divisions within neurology.
ABGC: Given the specialized nature of your clinics, how do you approach the integration of genetic counseling with other aspects of patient care?
KM: Within specialized clinics, genetic counselors work closely with other health care professionals to provide comprehensive care. I see the role of genetic counselors as one important piece of overall patient care. Genetic counselors within a specialized area like neurology not only educate patients about genetic aspects of disease but also provide education to non-genetics providers as well. Similarly, genetic counselors have a lot to learn from other health care providers in specialty clinics. We take part in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences and may follow up with a patient multiple times throughout their care. Genetic counselors are critical in this role to provide genetic education to the team, help select appropriate testing options and help guide treatment options based on results.
ABGC: What advice would you offer to aspiring genetic counselors looking to specialize in neurogenetics, and what skills or qualities do you believe are crucial for success in this field?
KM: Neurogenetics is a rapidly evolving field that requires a strong knowledge base of neurologic disease. Strong communication skills are critical for this role, as genetic counselors will often be working as part of a multidisciplinary team. An effective genetic counselor in this role needs to be independent, flexible and committed to continuing education. We are often involved in presymptomatic testing cases, discussing diseases for which there are no treatment options, and discussing genetic disease in the pediatric setting, so compassion and empathy are critical skills. I would encourage an aspiring neurogenetic counselor to get exposure to neurology clinics and ask to shadow. I still often ask to shadow the physician or other health care professional (like our physical therapist or social worker) if there is an interesting case or one in which I don’t have a lot of previous experience. I would also encourage finding a mentor and peer support groups to help guide and support you, especially early in your career.
ABGC: How do you stay informed about the latest developments in neurogenetics, and how does ongoing education contribute to your effectiveness as a genetic counselor?
KM: Ongoing education has been critical for me in my role in neurogenetics. The landscape of genetic technologies is rapidly changing, and that includes recommendations for testing approaches in patients. For example, there has been a huge change in how we approach genetic testing in patients with neurodevelopmental conditions over the past 10 years. There has also been an increase in disease-specific treatments and gene therapies within neurogenetics. These are all very exciting advancements, and it’s really important to stay up to date with what’s available to keep patients informed and provide the best care. I have found it most helpful to attend national conferences, maintain connections with genetic testing laboratories and pharmaceutical companies, develop connections within my area of practice, and be part of the neurogenetics special interest group through NSGC.
ABGC: With the advancements in genetic technologies, how do you see the role of genetic counselors evolving in neurogenetics, and what opportunities or challenges do you anticipate in the coming years?
KM: I think advancements in genetic technologies will make genetic testing both more accessible to patients and easier to order for non-genetic professionals. With this, I think the role of genetic counselors will both expand and evolve. I can see genetic counselors becoming routinely integrated into specialty clinics to bridge the gap of genetic knowledge. With this, I think both a challenge and an opportunity will be for genetic counselors to work more closely with other non-genetics health care professionals and really take a leadership role in conversations about the role of genetic testing in personalized medicine.
ABGC: As a professional in the neurogenetics program, how do you balance the emotional aspects of genetic counseling, particularly when dealing with conditions that may have a significant impact on individuals and their families?
KM: Most of our cases, both pediatric and adult, have emotional aspects. Many times, we discuss genetic testing for informational purposes, and there may not be a treatment available. I think it's helpful for me to remember that genetic counselors play a huge role in empowering families with this information. I've also personally found it helpful to have a group of supportive colleagues and a peer supervision group that I can debrief with.