Elizabeth Thérèse Gelfman

I generally attribute my success to a combination persistent effort, a growth mindset, and strong interpersonal relationships, rather than a single factor. Key drivers for me have been my adaptability, continuous learning, resilience in the face of setbacks, and maintaining a positive, proactive attitude.

Persistence: Work hard, but prioritize your health and self-care to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue, especially working in healthcare and in a field where we are frequently "breaking bad news" and having difficult conversations.

Young women entering the genetic counseling workforce should proactively build diverse networks and confidently advocate for their contributions. They should establish firm professional boundaries to avoid burnout, and directly address workplace inequities. As genetic counselors, we have many transferable skills, which is a strength but also something that can be taken advantage of. We tend to be "yes" people and have a hard time turning down opportunities, historically doing extra work or tasks for free on top of our existing responsibilities. I have seen this in myself as well as in numerous colleagues. Over time I have learned that my time is valuable, and I have recognized my worth. I feel strongly that extra work should lead to extra compensation or compromise on drawing back on your existing responsibilities.

Genetic counseling is navigating a high growth phase alongside significant challenges regarding reimbursement, workforce burnout, and inequitable patient access. Major opportunities exist in expanding telehealth and critical issues involve establishing direct Medicare billing, ensuring diversity, and managing complex genetic indications & results. The job market is particularly difficult for genetic counselors right now, as there is increasing awareness of our field and as a result more graduate programs have been developed. However, with many massive layoffs in the biotech industry over the past several years, the job market has been flooded with experienced genetic counselors. Therefore, new graduates are now competing with experienced genetic counselors. While there are certainly jobs available, not all genetic counselors will find themselves in their "dream role" as they may have when I graduated in 2016.

My key values in my work and personal life often center on integrity, accountability, and continuous growth. I also recognize the value in honesty, having compassion, and adaptability. These values have ensured both professional success and meaningful personal relationships in my life.