Email

grace.hanson@bcm.edu

Positions

Genetic Counseling Student

School of Health Professions
Baylor College of Medicine

Education

MS from Wheaton College

05/2021 - Wheaton, IL

Chemistry

Professional Statement

I was born and raised in Lakeville, Minnesota, and graduated from Wheaton College (IL) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. During my time at Wheaton, I volunteered at Almost Home Kids, a transitional care facility for children with complex medical needs. This experience solidified my desire to work in a patient-centered field. Through leadership opportunities, I connected with an alumni mentor who was a genetic counselor. Our conversations were pivotal in affirming my passion for genetic counseling as a career path.

After graduation, I worked at an optometry clinic while completing additional genetics coursework. This time deepened my interest in genetics, and gave me meaningful opportunities to advocate for patients. In 2023, I began working as a clinical Genetic Counseling Assistant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In this role, I've had the privilege of meeting with patients through a paired GCA-GC model in the Priority Cancer Clinic. Additionally, I served on Mayo Clinic's Clinical Genomics Belonging Committee and supported research involving the use of AI software to identify germline melanoma variants. Outside of work, I volunteered with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which offers support to hospitalized patients and their families.

These different experiences have shaped me and prepared me for this next chapter of graduate training. I'm excited to be at the Baylor College of Medicine as a member of the class of 2027. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from the faculty and engage in diverse clinical rotations that will expose me to wide range of specialties within the profession. I am happy to be a resource for prospective students, whether they are exploring genetic counseling or seeking mentorship through the application process.