The second Thursday of November is Genetic Counseling Awareness Day.
Dr. Deborah Cragun has dedicated her life to helping people understand the role genetics plays in health. However, her journey to becoming the director of the genetic counseling program at the USF College of Public Health (COPH) began in an unexpected place.
Originally from Murray, Utah, Cragun initially resisted studying biology.
"When I was in high school, I wanted nothing to do with biology," she said. But her interest shifted in college when she found herself grappling with health issues.
"I was trying to understand some health problems that I was having," Cragun recalled. Soon, she realized that understanding her own health required a deeper dive into biology which guided her degree choices in college.
Cragun earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and biology and then her master's degree in medical genetics from the University of Cincinnati.
This exploration became more personal when Cragun's father was diagnosed with a genetic condition after suffering a blood clot in his lung. The discovery raised concerns about implications for the entire family, yet Cragun noticed a gap in the care they received.
"How does someone get a genetic result and not talk about the family and what implications there are for the family?" she said.
This pivotal experience not only inspired Cragun to pursue genetic counseling but also ignited her drive to ensure that families receive holistic care.
Cragun earned her PhD in community family health from the COPH in 2013 and now leads research and trains the next generation of genetic counselors at the COPH with an emphasis on patient-centered care.
She reflected on how challenging it can be for patients when genetic counseling sessions are overly technical.
"Genetic counselors are supposed to help facilitate decision-making, not just throw out information and then ask, 'Well, what do you want to do?'" she explained.
Cragun emphasized that information alone is not enough; patients also need guidance that considers their values and life circumstances.
The USF genetic counseling students won 2nd place for being the emotions from the movie “Inside Out 2” among genetic counseling graduate programs who entered the annual HalloGENE costume contest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Cragun)
Through her research and teaching, Cragun is setting a new standard in genetic counseling, ensuring that future counselors provide clear, compassionate support.
“I’m really trying hard to train our students to not do some of these things,” she shared, and referenced examples of counseling encounters that left patients feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.
One of her current grant-funded research projects focuses on improving genetic counseling outcomes, specifically on tailoring counseling to match individual patient needs.
"Some patients are information seekers," Cragun said. "They love when someone takes the time to explain every little thing, but not all patients are like that."
Cragun’s commitment to tailoring care extends beyond her research and into the program's approach to training genetic counselors. USF’s genetic counseling program is the only one in Florida, and Cragun said she is proud of its contributions to the state’s health care landscape.
"We are starting to build up the genetic counseling workforce with a number of our graduates practicing in Florida," she shared.
Her students, many of whom are involved in advocacy work, reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
"One of our graduates just won an award from the National Society of Genetic Counselors for the work that she's done with DACA for undocumented citizens,” Cragun said. “Our new class of students includes three bilingual students and I feel like we're ensuring the field looks more like the population we serve."
Florida Association of Genetic Counselors (FLAGC) meeting with USF program personnel (front row) as well as five second year students and alumni from across the state. (Photo courtesy of Cragun)
Looking forward, Cragun said she is enthusiastic about the future of genetic counseling, including initiatives that support early career professionals in the field.
Many of USF’s genetic counseling alumni, for instance, play pivotal roles within the Florida Association of Genetic Counselors (FLAGC), with several serving as organization leaders. In fact, one of the graduates from the inaugural class in COPH’s genetic counseling program will soon become the association’s president, a point of pride for Cragun and a testament to her program’s influence.
Reflecting on the evolution of genetic counseling and her role in it, Cragun expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
"We want to make a positive impact," she said. "A lot of our patients appreciate the time we're able to take to listen, address their concerns and guide them in making decisions that align with their values. In a field where a genetic counselor might need to convey difficult news, the importance of compassion cannot be overstated.”
Through her research, teaching and patient-centered approach, Cragun is not only advancing the science of genetic counseling but also shaping a legacy of care that honors each patient’s unique journey.
Last week, the COPH hosted the FLAGC and USF Genetic Counseling Program 2024 Virtual Open House. The event allowed participants to learn more about the field of genetic counseling and USF's MSPH degree program in genetic counseling. Questions about the genetic counseling program and requests to be added to the USF genetic counseling prospective student mailing list can be sent to geneticcounseling@usf.edu.