About WIGCA

 

Who are we?

The Wisconsin Genetic Counselors Association (WIGCA) is a non-profit organization comprised of genetic counselors, other genetics specialists, and genetic counseling students throughout the state of Wisconsin. WIGCA has been approved as an official state chapter of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) since 2018.

WIGCA aims to be a platform for communication and professional development consistent with national objectives of NSGC. Our representation at a local, state, and national levels fuel the advancement and awareness of genetic counseling services, which are essential for comprehensive healthcare of patients and their families.

Currently, WIGCA has more than 130 members that includes over 100 genetic counselors as well as multiple other genetics professionals and students. Our members are part of multiple committees that have active and ongoing initiatives that help to establish and grow our organization and uphold the mission of WIGCA.

 
WIGCA.GeneticsExchang2018.jpg
 

Our Mission

The mission of WIGCA is to advocate for the advancement of the genetic counseling profession in the state of Wisconsin and to increase engagement with the communities in which genetic counselors serve.

We aim to uphold these values through:

  1. Increasing access to quality genetic counseling services, thereby enhancing implementation of precision medicine into innovative patient care.

  2. Providing continued education to health care professionals and the community.

  3. Fostering professional development opportunities for genetic counselors.

  4. Raising public awareness, building community alliances, increasing visibility, and transforming public understanding of the genetic counseling profession.

Strategic Plan 2024-2026

Increasing Access:

  1. WIGCA will continue education about new licensure rules as these are finalized and approved.

  2. WIGCA will champion the federal CMS bill.

  3. WIGCA will work with Wisconsin Medicaid to start reimbursing both GC billing codes and genetic testing.

Providing community education:

  1. WIGCA will continue to work with non-profit organizations to build professional relationships and sustain educational opportunities and community events.

  2. WIGCA will partner with the Genetic Counseling Training Programs in the state of Wisconsin and coordinate a mentor-mentee program for new graduates.

  3. WIGCA will focus on engaging diverse prospective students by creating educational tools and learning opportunities.

Fostering professional development opportunities:

  1. WIGCA will promote awareness of continuing educational opportunities by maintaining updated social media and periodic communications with members.

  2. WIGCA will maintain directories of clinical services and membership throughout the state, available on the WIGCA website.

  3. WIGCA will host an annual comprehensive genetic conference and participate in other genetic meetings across the state

Raising public awareness:

  1. WIGCA will promote visibility of genetic counselors and provide access to genetic resources through the WIGCA website and social media.

  2. WIGCA will network with other professional and advocacy organizations to improve the delivery of and access to genetic services.

  3. WIGCA will continue to build our brand through marketing, outreach, and educational opportunities.