NSGC Annual Awards

Member Awards

Click here to view the 2009 Award Winners!

Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award

Background: The Natalie Weissberger Paul Lifetime Achievement Award is the most distinguished honor within the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). Natalie Weissberger Paul retired in 1993 after a long career with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. A long-time advocate for genetic counselors and NSGC, she was instrumental in promoting the profession in its early years and in securing financial support for numerous initial projects and publications. NSGC established this award in 1994. Ms. Weissberger died in January 1996. This award honors one outstanding member who has served NSGC with exemplary national achievements and volunteer activities on behalf of NSGC and the profession. The award is customarily bestowed annually.

Leadership Awards

As the leading voice, authority and advocate for the genetic counseling profession, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) is composed of numerous networks of committees, task forces, SIGs and individual members. Through the continuous efforts of these dedicated professionals, NSGC is able to grow and improve as an organization with each passing year. The NSGC Awards Program will acknowledge the actions and behaviors of exemplary genetic counselors, as well as recognizing volunteers for their contributions. Presenting these awards at the Annual Education Conference and posting the names of the winners on the NSGC website will encourage current members to continue in their efforts and will motivate other NSGC members to become involved. This program will be an excellent platform for volunteer retention and recruitment.

International Award

Criteria: This award shall be bestowed upon an individual whose contributions to the profession have reached an international scope. Priority consideration will be given to NSGC members who live and work outside of the US, but any NSGC member in good standing may be nominated for this award. Examples of activities include:

Expanding the reach of genetic counseling services outside the United States. Expansion of services could include, but is not limited to, the establishment of genetic counseling training programs or clinics outside the United States.

Significant contribution to education of lay/healthcare communities regarding genetics/genetic counseling/genetic technology in an international venue

Significant contribution to research involving genetics/genetic counseling in an international venue

New Leader Award
Criteria: This award shall be presented to a new genetic counselor who has shown significant initiative in her/his contributions to NSGC and to the profession. Eligible candidates shall have graduated within the 5 years prior to the time of nomination and must be current members of NSGC. Since joining NSGC the member has done one or a combination of the following:

Made significant contributions to a committee, SIG or task force

Participated significantly in mentoring of genetic counseling students

Expanded the reach of genetic counseling services/genetic counselors within the medical community (i.e. created a new subspecialty)

Made significant contributions to education of lay/healthcare communities regarding genetics/genetic counseling/genetic technology

Made significant contribution to research involving genetics/genetic counseling

Outstanding Volunteer Award
Criteria: Outstanding Volunteer Awards shall be presented to two candidates for exceptional contribution and volunteerism to NSGC. Candidates must be current members of NSGC. Candidates will be considered based on the following activities:
Volunteered at the national level on one or more committee(s), task force(s) and or specific project(s) during the specified time frame

Made considerable contributions toward the progress of the designated committee(s) during the specified time frame

Went above and beyond the expected duty of his/her position.

The strongest candidates will have made significant contributions to NSGC beyond the specified time frame

Strategic Leader Award
Criteria: Strategic Leadership Awards shall be presented to two outstanding candidates who the Awards Sub-Committee believes promote the genetic counseling profession as a recognized and integral part of health care delivery, through such avenues as education, research and public policy. Candidates must be current members of NSGC. When submitting candidates for nomination, the nominator should consider the methods of NSGC’s current strategic plan. Examples of activities include:

Demonstration of strategic thinking and leadership skills through his or her work with NSGC

Significant contributions to the goals of NSGC as related to the Strategic Plan

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The Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship
Purpose: Under the leadership of Audrey Heimler, the JEMF was established in 1991, providing the first fellowship opportunity for genetic counselors. Jane Engelberg was a genetic counselor who was a friend and colleague of Audrey’s at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. A bilingual genetic counselor, Jane developed expertise in counseling patients on issues related to hemophilia and prenatal diagnosis during her 15 year career. She died of Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 47. To perpetuate her memory, her husband Al Engelberg through the Engelberg Foundation, established The Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship. For 16 years, JEMF has awarded a fellowship to a board certified genetic counselor to promote the professional development of the genetic counselor and further the practice of genetic counseling. The $50,000 award is the largest award specifically for genetic counselors nationwide.

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