NIPS: Successes, Blunders, and Where We Go from Here with Ellen Matloff, MS, CGC and Rachael Bradshaw, MS, CGC

• Noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) has been clinically available for a little over a decade and has revolutionized prenatal genetic counseling practice. A recent article in the New York Times highlighted consumer concerns about how these screens are being implemented in obstetrical practice; however, many genetic counselors felt the article missed the mark.

  In this session, Ellen Matloff and Rachael Bradshaw will review the article, discussing both the valid concerns raised by the article as well as factors that were not appropriately addressed related to the clinical utility of NIPS and the importance of informed pre- and post-test counseling.

  They will review the literature regarding clinical data for NIPS, discuss issues that warrant further consideration when offering NIPS to patients, and outline some best practices GCs can consider to help ensure their patients are receiving quality care when being offered and pursuing NIPS.

  Level of Instruction: Intermediate

  

  Only the live session qualifies for CEUs but when possible, we host the recordings on our website and NSGC recommends participants to use their personal email instead of work email addresses to ensure they receive their CEU certificates.

  

  Ambry Genetics is approved as a provider for continuing education program by NSGC and ASCLS P.A.C.E ® Program.

Ellen Matloff, MS, CGC | Presenter

President and CEO, My Gene Counsel

Ellen T. Matloff, MS, CGC is a certified genetic counselor and the President and CEO of My Gene Counsel, a digital health company that provides scalable, updating genetic counseling solutions. Matloff founded the Yale Cancer Genetic Counseling program, served as its director and a faculty member at Yale School of Medicine for 18 years, and was an individual plaintiff in the SCOTUS BRCA gene patent case of 2013. She is an expert in responsible, scalable return of genetic test results for population studies, health care systems, and precision medicine partners. Matloff serves as the Forbes.com contributor on genetic counseling, genetic testing, and digital health.

Rachael Bradshaw, MS, CGC | Presenter

Director & Assistant Professor, Program in Genetic Counseling, Saint Louis University

Rachael Bradshaw has over 15 years’ experience practicing as a prenatal genetic counselor. She is an assistant professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine where she provides patient care at the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. She is also the director of the Program in Genetic Counseling at Washington University, which matriculated its first cohort of students Fall of 2021. Rachael’s academic, clinical, and research interests lie in the arenas of promoting equitable access to prenatal genetic services; ensuring patients who experience fetal or neonatal loss can obtain post-mortem diagnostic testing; endorsing efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of genetic counseling; and addressing racial health disparities, especially as they related to maternal, fetal, and child health in the St. Louis area.

Jessica Gage, MS, CGC | Moderator

Genomic Science Liaison, Ambry Genetics

Jessica Gage is a Specialty Genomic Science Liaison at Ambry Genetics for the West Coast and Midwest Regions. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Penn State University and her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at California State University- Stanislaus. In her current role, she serves as a clinical liaison for the field team to educate health care providers and key opinion leaders on genetic testing and genomic medicine. Jessica is a licensed genetic counselor by the California Department of Health and is board-certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.