Our Covid-19 Heroes

During the time of a global pandemic, fieldwork opportunities for our training program, along with all others, came to a halt. Given the significant and varied impact on supervisors and rotation sites, the UNCG Genetic Counseling Program assumed responsibility for the remainder of student rotation 5 experiences. That said, all rotation 5 sites and supervisors remained dedicated to working with our students to help finish out their final rotation. Additionally, many genetic counselors volunteered to provide supplementary telehealth and nonclinical learning experiences to address learning goals of our graduating students. 

Our rising second year students (Class of 2021) began their first of five rotation experiences in summer 2020 in the absence of rotation sites to house them. Our program was again reminded of the phenomenal network of support we have in our supervisors, alumni and others in this community as everyone rose to the challenge of piecing together meaningful experiences to create multispecialty rotations for our students. While fall rotations returned to the typical rotation schedule of one student per site, supervisors continue to creatively and strategically approach rotation experiences for our second-year students. Many thanks also to sites and supervisors that have been able to provide telehealth observations for our first-year students this fall. We also had a record turnout for our annual supervision workshop on December 11, 2020 in part due to supervisors' strong desire and dedication to further develop skills in remote supervision.

The UNCG Genetic Counseling Program holds much gratitude for our supporters who have lifted us and our students up during times of limited access to training opportunities. It truly takes a village and we are proud and privileged to be a part of the North Carolina genetics community and the UNCG alumni network. We would love to list all of the names of our supporters here although as soon as we do, there will be someone else to add. Therefore, we will take a moment to acknowedge the following groups of people who not only helped us to get through unprecedented times, but helped us to maintain and even elevate the quality of training for our students. We are looking forward to incorporating some of the innovative strategies developed during this time into the curriculum  in the future.

To our Covid-19 Heroes, please accept our deepest thanks for all you have done for us!