Genetic testing has transformed the way we understand disease risk, diagnose rare conditions, and personalize medical care. But behind every test result is a patient, a family, and a series of important decisions about health, prevention, and the future.

In this episode of the UB Medicine Podcast, host Allison Brashear, MD, MBA sits down with certified genetic counselors Lindsey Alico, MS, CGC, inaugural director of the Jacobs School's Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, and Hallie Metzger, MS, CGC, lead genetic counselor at Catholic Health, to explore the growing role of genetic counseling in modern medicine.

They discuss how genetic counselors help patients navigate complex and often emotional information, the enduring importance of family health history, and how advances in genomic medicine are changing care across the lifespan, from family planning and pregnancy to cancer risk assessment and rare disease diagnosis.

The conversation also examines the future of personalized medicine, the expanding role of genomic testing in health care, and how the next generation of genetic counselors is being trained to meet the increasing demand for expertise in this rapidly evolving field.

Whether you're curious about your family health history, interested in the future of medicine, or considering a career in genetic counseling, this episode offers an inside look at a profession that is helping bridge scientific discovery and compassionate patient care.