ERICA STURM, MS, CGC
Westchester,IL
Summary
Experienced Genetic Counselor and Medical Science Liaison skilled in pioneering new services and passionate about advancing the integration of genomic medicine and emerging medical technologies
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Genetic Counselor
Northwestern Medicine
04.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded establishment of Cancer Genetics Service at new satellite clinic, training staff and developing resources to support multidisciplinary care
- Execute and oversee administrative functions such as vendor relationships, insurance authorizations, implementation of testing protocols, and development of supplemental resources
- Deliver comprehensive telemedicine-based genetic counseling for hereditary cancer, encompassing pre/post-test education and counseling, risk assessment, test coordination, variant interpretation, results disclosure, psychosocial assessment and management recommendations
- Participate in Breast and General (including Neuro-Oncology) tumor boards
Senior Genetic Counselor
Defense Health Agency Genetics Laboratory
08.2020 - 04.2023
- Coordinated transition to new electronic medical record, including making orderable genetic test menu compatible with published catalog, making order entry more intuitive resulting in increased utilization of genetic testing by a range of ordering providers
- Composed and updated processes, procedures, reports, forms and educational materials for genetic services - general, adult, prenatal, reproductive, pediatric and oncology
- Guided healthcare providers in test strategy and utilization, incorporating guidelines, limitations, results interpretation, management recommendations and related resources
- Member of Precision Care Advisory Panel, Digital Biobank and Pharmacogenomic Work Groups
- Provided genetic counseling and case management for complex genetic conditions, supporting patients through risk assessment, results and management
- Triaged and dispositioned consult requests for Medical Genetics clinic
Medical Science Liaison
NxGen MDx
04.2019 - 07.2020
- Provided education to healthcare professionals through office and virtual visits, presentations, professional meetings, and other venues regarding diagnostic and pathogen genetic testing
- Worked with sales and marketing in technical training and design of new educational and marketing materials
- Contributed to new test development and product launches by applying clinical expertise to design of new assays
- Surveyed, summarized and critiqued competitive landscape
Genetic Counselor
NorthShore University Health System
Evanston, IL
10.2018 - 04.2019
- Executed grant for genetic counseling and newborn screening, including quarterly presentations and public outreach
- Provided clinical reproductive and newborn screen genetic counseling
- Supervised genetic counseling and medical students, Obstetric residents and Maternal Fetal Medicine fellows
Medical Writer, Reviewer, Genetic Counselor
Grasp Genetics, PWN
05.2017 - 10.2018
- Composed novel web-based education regarding genetic conditions and testing for the general population, especially low health literacy
- Created infographics and executed instructional design
- Contract work with PWN Health included utilization review of clinical and consumer-initiated genetic testing and consult notes by junior staff and contractors
- Provided remote genetic counseling for hereditary cancer, pharmacogenomic testing, cardiogenetics and reproductive carrier screening
Program Director
Perinatal Quality Foundation
10.2015 - 05.2017
- Produced comprehensive education modules and training programs for health professionals, patients and other consumers
- Facilitated board meetings for review of editing, revision and adoption of educational content
- Developed program policies, standards, follow-up protocols and education tools
- Drove practice improvement initiatives for genetic education in the obstetric setting
- Marketed the Genetic Education Modules through public speaking, exhibiting and networking
Medical Science Liaison
Ariosa Diagnostics
05.2015 - 10.2015
- Educated providers and responded to inquiries regarding testing strategy and utilization
- Executed research projects including patient education intervention study
- Composed manuscripts, including a white paper on positive predictive value of cell-free DNA screening
- Surveyed and reported back on competitive landscape
Genetic Counselor
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, MD
10.2007 - 05.2015
- Implemented new cell-free DNA screening, composed protocols for utilization, interpretation and management of results
- Developed standard operating procedures and algorithms for utilization of routine prenatal genetic testing and handling of critical results
- Composed and presented ongoing provider education regarding genetic testing at two major medical centers and six satellite clinics
- Provided ongoing resident staff education in the form of presentations, seminars, small group discussions and clinical supervision
- Designed and implemented group classes regarding prenatal genetic testing for all obstetric and fertility patients to keep up with evolving and expanding prenatal genetic testing
- Initiated, composed and administered surveys, analyzed data to assess utility of educational interventions in the general obstetric population with outcomes presented at national professional conference
- Provided clinical genetic counseling and continuing case management for complex cases
- Implemented and coordinated case review conference with multiple subspecialties regarding diagnoses, testing and clinical management
Education
Bachelor of Science - Philosophy, Psychology
Northwestern University
Evanston, ILMaster of Science - Genetic Counseling
Northwestern University
Chicago, ILSkills
- Genetic Medicine
- Precision Oncology
- Health Education
- Medical Affairs
- Medical Writing
- Public Speaking
- Project Management
- Resource Development
- Process Improvement
- Team Training
Certification
- BOARD CERTIFICATION, American Board of Genetic Counseling, 12618, 12/31/27
- STATE LICENSURE, State of Illinois, 246.000328, 01/31/27
Invited Lectures and Other Presentations
- Screening for Genetic Susceptibility to Cancer(s) in Primary Care, Defense Health Agency, January 2023
- Telegenetics in the Military Health System, Precision Care Advisory Panel, Defense Health Agency, June 2021
- Beckwith-Weidemann Syndrome: Pre and Postnatal Presentation and Management, Perinatal Conference, University of Chicago OB Residency Program, March 2019
- Mosaicism in Cell-free DNA and Chorionic Villus Sampling, Grand Rounds, University of Chicago OB Residency Program, February 2019
- Cell-free DNA Prenatal Screening: Where Are We Now? National Society of Genetic Counselors Pre-Conference Symposium, September 2016
- Emerging Topics in NIPT, The Complexities of a Simple Test: Counseling Implications, American College of Medical Genetics Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, March 2016
- FMR1: One Gene, Three Diseases, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Specialty Seminar, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Prenatal Genetic Counseling Overview, Johns Hopkins University/National Institutes of Health Graduate Program of Genetic Counseling. 2012, 2013, 2014
- Group Prenatal Genetic Counseling Facilitates Patient Decision-Making, National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, Poster, September 2014
- Non-invasive Prenatal Testing: Current Applications, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, August 2014
Timeline
Genetic Counselor
Northwestern Medicine
04.2023 - Current
Senior Genetic Counselor
Defense Health Agency Genetics Laboratory
08.2020 - 04.2023
Medical Science Liaison
NxGen MDx
04.2019 - 07.2020
Genetic Counselor
NorthShore University Health System
10.2018 - 04.2019
Medical Writer, Reviewer, Genetic Counselor
Grasp Genetics, PWN
05.2017 - 10.2018
Program Director
Perinatal Quality Foundation
10.2015 - 05.2017
Medical Science Liaison
Ariosa Diagnostics
05.2015 - 10.2015
Genetic Counselor
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
10.2007 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Science - Philosophy, Psychology
Northwestern University
Master of Science - Genetic Counseling
Northwestern University
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