Empowering Futures: Navigating the Genetic Counseling Landscape with Isaac Elysee

TAKOMA PARK, Md. (AP) — Washington Adventist University welcomed a distinguished guest to its Biology department amphitheater on Monday, February 19th. Isaac Elysee, a genetic counselor from the University of Pennsylvania, addressed students on the rapid growth within the genetic counseling industry. The majority of attendees were biology students eager to delve into this valuable career topic.

Genetic counseling, as defined by Elysee, involves investigating individuals and families affected by or susceptible to genetic disorders. It aims to assist them in comprehending and adjusting to the medical, psychological, and familial ramifications of genetic contributions to disease.

“A genetic counselor wears many hats. One of the hats is coming alongside the patient and guiding them through the process of genetic testing or understanding a genetic disorder. After an analysis, A patient might have questions about what this means for them and their family.  My job is to get them from point A to point B. My mission is to help them to understand it better, to feel better, to feel more empowered to move on and take the next steps for themselves. Another crucial hat is understanding who else might be affected in the family. Other hats include research, teaching, learning more about genetic diseases, communication skills with doctors, and with other medical professionals to make sure that they understand the genetics behind the diseases.”

Elysee, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s genetic counseling master’s program in 2021, was initially spurred to study genetics by his father, who battled sickle cell disease, a prevalent genetic condition in the Black community. Now, Elysee serves as a counselor at Penn Medicine in the Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, aiding a diverse spectrum of patients with various genetic conditions.

Elysee expressed his enthusiasm when invited by Dr. Perez to present his profession: “I think is an underrated profession in the health sciences and has a lot to offer people who are interested in this field I want students to understand that genetic counseling is not simply a good alternative, but it’s a great profession if they love talking to people if they like dealing with genetic disorders, and I like to learn about health, and I think that God has blessed me with a fantastic career and I wanted to share it with other People.”

The future of the genetic industry portends significant changes, necessitating the ability to convey complex analyses in understandable terms. “Students can take advantage of this presentation, given the need for more people in the genetic counseling field. Genetics is the future of medicine, therefore having more people is having more resources for our patients. The pipe in the future people are not going to be thinking about cardiac diseases or brain disorders in just vague senses, but they are going to start thinking about what is unique to this person and their family and that will cause a big wave of genetics to even increase in our technologies and improving with time. Professionals break this down into common speak English so that people can understand it in an approachable way and take control and feel empowered of their health.”

In conclusion, Elysee reflected on the spiritual guidance that shaped his journey: “Genetic counseling is a fantastic career. However, ‘whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,’ as it says in Colossians 3:17. Besides a higher call from society, we want to glorify God in the things that we do and genetic counseling is a great way to do that.”