Genetic Clinicians and Rare Sibling Support with Abby Turnwald, MS, CGC and Sarah Jurgensmeyer, MS, CGC

• This webinar will review previous literature regarding siblings of individuals with rare diseases while addressing the limitations and paucity of research to date. Presenters will share ongoing and future research and support efforts for siblings in the rare disease community. Perspectives and personal stories of siblings will be highlighted. This presentation aims to empower genetics clinicians to understand ways they can support siblings in their own practice.

  Level of Instruction: Basic

  

  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.

Sarah Jurgensmeyer Langas MS, CGC | Presenter

Genetic Counselor at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago​

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School ofMedicine ​

Sarah Jurgensmeyer Langas started her genetic counseling career at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, providing pediatric genetic counseling services in the Edwards Family Division of Genetics and Rare Diseases. In 2024 Sarah joined the Heart Center as the second genetic counselor in the Cardiovascular Genetics Center, with a specific focus on congenital heart disease, connective tissue disorders, aortopathies, and Williams syndrome. Sarah is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Genetics, Genomics and Metabolism) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and enjoys teaching and providing clinical supervision to genetic counseling graduate students and medical students. Sarah is also active in the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals, serving as President in 2024. She was the recipient of the 2023 ACMG Foundation Carolyn Mills Lovell Genetic Counselor Award and is passionate about expansion of genetic services to more patient populations. 

Abigail Turnwald, MS, CGC | Presenter

Pediatric Genetic Counselor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital​

Abby Turnwald is a pediatric genetic counselor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  She specializes in neurogenetics, primarily seeing patients with diagnoses of epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Outside of work, Abby supports siblings of individuals with rare diseases through her work with the FamilieSCN2A Foundation, KCNQ2 Cure, and CTNNB1 Connect and Cure. She also serves on the board of directors for Ohio SIBS. She was the recipient of the 2025 FamilieSCN2A Inclusion Award and the 2025 NSGC Community Engagement Award. 

Aubrey Rose, MS, CGC | Moderator

Genomic Science Liaison at Ambry Genetics

Aubrey Rose is a licensed, certified genetic counselor who received her BS in Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University and her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of South Carolina. She joined Ambry Genetics in May 2025 as a Genomic Science Liaison specializing in neurology and rare disease. Before joining Ambry, she spent 4 years in a general genetics clinic at Greenwood Genetic Center with a primary focus in pediatric rare disease. She now leverages her clinical experience to support Ambry's rare disease initiatives both internally and externally, contributing to the development of new products while ensuring these innovations effectively meet the needs of clinicians and their patients.