PreventionGenetics at NSGC 2017
Published on
Visit us at Booth #411
Getting Better Mileage: Our Path to Creating a
Genetic Counseling Assistant Program
Christina Zaleski, MS, CGC
Thursday September 14, 2017
6:15 PM - 6:45 PM
Exhibitor Suite Hall C
To visit the conference website, click here
Biography
Background & Education
Christina Zaleski earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology, with a psychology minor, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1996. She earned a Master of Science degree in human genetics/genetic counseling from Sarah Lawrence College in New York in 1999. After graduation, she continued the research work that she started as a student for Rockefeller University on mental illness in South Africa. She then returned to her home town of Marshfield, Wisconsin and worked at the Marshfield Clinic as lead genetic counselor from 1999-2012. Christina is currently Director of Genetic Counseling & Client Services at PreventionGenetics.
Experience & Service Development
Christina has an extensive range of experience in genetic counseling and leadership and is passionate about service development and teaching. She has experience in many areas including prenatal, pediatric, cancer, specialty clinics, stillbirth evaluations, research, administration, public health education, laboratory and industry. As part of her overall achievement of expanding the clinical role for genetic counselors at Marshfield Clinic, she also established the GC role in several specialty clinics, including Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington & Non-Accidental Trauma teams. She developed clinical genetics outreach & telehealth genetic counseling services in several locations throughout North Central Wisconsin. She has served on St. Joseph Hospital’s Bioethics team as well as co-investigator on several research projects, also served on Marshfield Clinic’s IRB & leading efforts related to creating IRB protocols surrounding special circumstances in genetic research. At PreventionGenetics she participates in a number of strategic business initiatives and collaborations with colleagues from around the world. She created the role for laboratory genetic counselors and developed a robust team of genetic counseling assistants, and also contributed to development of exome based custom panels and website content.
Publications & Scholarly Activities
Christina has published scientific articles in the areas of clinical genetics, stillbirth evaluations, cystic fibrosis newborn screening, laboratory utilization management, and genetic workflow. She enjoys giving genetics lectures and workshops and has organized over a dozen conferences for healthcare providers, co-taught a community course at UW-Wood Center related to the power of genetics and a Genetics Primer Course for her colleagues. She currently organizes an expert Seminar Series at PreventionGenetics.
Leadership & Awards
Highlights of her career include receiving 2007 Leadership Award for Excellence in Community Service from the March of Dimes, Wisconsin Chapter, and being nominated by peers as a JEMF Master Genetic Counselor in 2010. In 2013 her family received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Spirit of Giving Award, raising over one million dollars for Celine Seubert Distinguished Physician/Scientist Endowment in Cardiology Research.
Extracurricular Activities
The toughest job she’ll ever love is being a mom. Christina also enjoys coaching youth basketball & volleyball, camping with her family & son’s baseball team, travelling, planning elaborate birthday parties, cake decorating, amateur sports photography, and cheering for the New York Giants.
