The Advisory Board is comprised of leaders in genetics, business and the community and serves to bring new perspectives to the table as they advise the program directors and School of Medicine administration in the evolution of the curriculum and program resources.

This program is so important to the state, the region and the nation. We need to ensure its strength and stability long into the future.

Dr. Sashi Pai, professor and clinical geneticist, Medical University of South Carolina 

 

The Genetic Counseling Program Advisory Board works to:

• support the mission of the Genetic Counseling Program;
• support the program in continuous improvement of the curriculum;
• be knowledgeable about the needs of the Genetic Counseling Program;
• make recommendations to the program directors and School of Medicine administration where appropriate;
• support the goal of increasing program resources, financial and otherwise;
• promote the program as a state, regional and national resource.

 

Board Members

Allison Aitchison, MS

Alumna, Genetic Counseling Class of 1995

I am proud to serve on the Advisory Board and the School of Medicine Alumni Association Board to promote awareness of the value of the Genetic Counseling Program to the University of South Carolina and our community and to promote enthusiasm and involvement among our alumni.

Melissa Bennett, MS, CGC 

Clinical Director, Lab Management Program
EviCore

I serve on the advisory board to give back to the Genetic Counseling Program that has given so much to me. I want to help ensure the program's sustainability for the training of many more generations of genetic counselors. 

Judith T. Burgis, MD

Professor and Former Chair
USC SOM Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 

I serve this board to support the Division of Genetic Counseling as we incorporate new applications and developments in genomic education and clinical practice. 

Laurie Demmer, MD, FACMG

Director, Clinical Genetics
Atrium Health

I am honored to serve on the Advisory Board to support the Genetic Counseling program as they prepare trainees to become future leaders in this exciting and fast-moving field of Clinical Genetics and Genomics.

Phyllis Dennis, RN

Community Leader

I have seen this program develop from a local to a national to an international program with talented graduates who provide compassionate genetic counseling.  I am proud to serve on this board.

Janice G. Edwards MS, CGC

Clinical Professor and Director
USC Genetic Counseling Program

It is an honor to work with this well-informed group of advisors to strengthen the curriculum as we prepare genetic counselors for the future of genetic medicine.

Lilly Filler, MD

Retired Obstetrician & Jewish Community Leader

The field of genetics has become the "spear" of many medical technologies and advancements. As a member of the advisory board of the SOM Genetics Department, I am proud to play a small role in this forward thinking program.

Sonja Higgins, MS, LCGC

Genetic Counselor
Metis Genetics

I am privileged to serve on the advisory board of the USC Genetic Counseling program as an alumnus with twenty-five years experience as a genetic counselor. The collective experiences of the advisory board members contribute to the well rounded, through education provided by USC.

Libby Malphrus, MS, CGC

Assistant Director
Medical University of South Carolina Genetic Counseling Program

As a proud Alumna and native South Carolinian, I am honored to be a part of the continued growth of an already outstanding program.

Cristi Radford, MS, CGC

Alumna, Genetic Counseling Class of 2005

I serve on this board to give back to the program that educated me and to help prepare genetic counselors for the constantly evolving workforce.

Andrea Sellers, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor
InformedDNA

I work to ensure the USC Genetic Counseling Program is as strong as possible for future generations of genetic counselors.

Steven A. Skinner, MD

Director
Greenwood Genetic Center

The USC Genetic Counseling Program is a valuable resource for our state that continues to produce high quality genetic counselors who are meeting a priority need in South Carolina.

J.T. Thornhill, MD

Associate Dean, Medical Education & Academic Affairs
University of South Carolina

As genetics and genetic counseling take on an increasing role in health care, I am honored to be a part of a group looking to educate and train the next generation of healthcare professionals in these important areas.

Debera Zvejnieks, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor
Prisma Health

As a graduate of the USC Genetic Counseling Program, I support the program that has enabled me to successfully pursue my career through various transitions and geographical relocations. This program is a tremendous asset for South Carolina and the southeast, both to the medical community and to the population served.