Using Software to Increase Patient Access to Cancer Genetics Services with Shannon Kieran, MS, MBA, CGC and Kelly Burgess, MS, CGC

• The need and demand for cancer genetic services has increased tremendously since clinical hereditary cancer genetic testing was first introduced. The current amount of cancer genetics healthcare providers can no longer meet this demand utilizing the traditional model of referral for pre-test genetic counseling. In this webinar, Shannon Kieran and Kelly Burgess will review current literature on utilization of software programs in cancer genetics clinics and how using these types of alternative service delivery models can help increase access for patients to cancer genetics services. Real world data from a high risk assessment software program will be presented, as well, to illustrate the effectiveness of these programs.

  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.

Shannon Kieran, MS, MBA, CGC | Presenter

Sr. Director, Software Solutions, Ambry Genetics

Shannon Kieran is an innovative and established leader in the field of personalized genomics with expertise in consumer genomic products.  As a master’s trained board certified genetic counselor whose career has spanned both clinical and business roles, her work has leveraged the public’s interest in discovering their unique genetic attributes. 

Shannon’s research and career focus has been devoted to connecting people with their DNA, and connecting genomic service providers with their end-users. She received her MBA from the Eller College of Management, has served as an early advisor and consultant to many startups including Color Genomics, Genome Medical, and most recently GenomeSmart.  After nearly two decades in the field, Shannon currently serves as the head of consumer software products at Ambry Genetics. 
 

Kelly Burgess, MS, CGC | Presenter

Manager, Genomic Science Liaison, Ambry Genetics

Kelly Burgess is a certified genetic counselor and a Manager on the Oncology Genomic Science Liaison team with Ambry Genetics.  She earned a MS in genetic counseling from Wayne State University in 2014. Her interest in alternative service delivery models in genetic counseling began in graduate school where she focused her research project on telephone genetic counseling from the provider’s perspective, which was an oral presentation at the 2014 NSGC Annual Education Conference and published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling. She joined Ambry in February 2020 as an Oncology Genomic Science Liaison providing clinical support and education to healthcare providers ordering Ambry testing. In February of 2022, she moved into a management role. Prior to joining Ambry, she worked as a clinical cancer genetic counselor for 6 years with the bulk of her clinical time spent at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. 

Susan Toomey, MS, CGC | Moderator

Sr. Genomic Science Liason, Ambry Genetics

Susan Toomey joined Ambry Genetics in 2017 as the General Genetic Specialist for the Mountain and. Susan received her Masters of Science Degree in Biophysics and Genetics from the University of Colorado; and holds a BA in Sociology and Evolutionary Science from the University of Cincinnati. She has held previous genetic counseling positions at the Colorado Genetics Laboratory, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado in the Neurocutaneous and Neuromuscular Clinics.