Donna M. McDonald-McGinn, M.S., C.G.C. Program Director, Clinical Genetics Center The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Instructor in Pediatrics, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania What do you do? My responsibilities include providing genetic counseling to parents, patients and extended family members affected by congenital abnormalities, such as cleft lip and palate; developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome; and late onset disorders, such as muscular dystrophy. I am primarily involved in pediatric genetics, which means I work with patients who have had a previous child with a birth problem or a family history of a birth problem, to counsel them about the cause, outcome and recurrence risk for such a problem. In the process, I construct a family tree, collect past medical records, participate in the physical exam, coordinate medical tests and discuss the findings. In addition to clinical work, I lecture to outside organizations and fulfill all requests for teaching within the University of Pennsylvania. Clinical research and educational outreach are also part of my job responsibilities, as is the oversight of the day-to-day business operations of the Clinical Genetics Center. What is your educational background? I have a B.A. in biology and sociology from Rosemont College and an M.S. in human genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Do you have any special credentials? I am certified in genetic counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Genetic Counselors. The latter certification is required to train genetic counselors and is often required for billing purposes. What was your career path? After graduating from college, I worked as a Research Assistant for the Medical College of Pennsylvania's Department of Pharmacology. Upon receiving my master's degree, I became a genetic counselor at the Clinical Genetics Center where I am currently employed. How many hours do you work per week? Roughly 50 hours. What led you to this field? I was interested in combining a medical profession with a social science. A master's level program allowed me to reach an interesting, challenging, autonomous position quickly. What do you enjoy most about your job? I most enjoy helping patients and making a difference in their lives. For example, I recently spoke at an international meeting for parents and professionals. The parents were incredibly grateful to speak with someone who knew a great deal about their particular problem, and who also cared about their psycho-social well-being. I was overwhelmed by their gratitude. What do you enjoy least about your job? Dealing with insurance issues. In today's insurance climate, the patients' needs are not necessarily what drives decision making when it comes to availability of testing or where the testing may be obtained. I spend a great deal of time convincing insurance companies and primary care physicians that a test is warranted and that it should be performed in a specialized laboratory or institution. What advice would you give someone interested in this field? Gain some insight into the field prior to applying to programs. Visit a genetic counseling center, volunteer or take a summer job related to genetics. Once you know that this is the field for you, investigate all areas of genetic counseling in order to find your niche. Make sure to learn the basic science, but not at the expense of the social science courses. Genetic Counseling Related careers: Business (counselors may work in private practice or for a biotechnology company, there are also many opportunities for computer scientists); communications (freelance writer, editor of medical texts); education (educational outreach on behalf of the Department of Health, teaching at the primary, secondary and graduate levels); and specialized counseling (such as working for clinics that focus on neurogenetics or cranio-facial disorders). Salary range: From around $35,000 to $85,000, depending on level of experience. Back to Interviewee List