Bonnie LeRoy: Genetic Counselor of the Year

Every year, The Natalie Weissberger Paul National Volunteer Recognition Award is presented to a genetic counselor with a stellar record of service to the NSGC and the genetic counseling profession. This year's recipient, Bonnie LeRoy, meets that high standard and then some. In the early 1980's, Bonnie was an unhappy medical technologist in a Detroit hospital dreaming of a career that would fulfill her love of science, while also giving her a challenge. Her genetics professor in college, who had become a good friend, told her of a new field called "genetic counseling" which he thought she should investigate. Bonnie called a counselor to ask some questions, but there were none nearby to help her get a really good feel for what the profession entailed.

Yet Bonnie was adventurous. She applied to the Sarah Lawrence College Genetic Counseling program with no idea about what awaited her. She graduated in 1981 and hit the ground running, choosing a position at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic.

It was a good choice. Now, after more than twenty years at the same institution, Bonnie is an Associate Professor in the University of Minnesota's Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development. She lectures on various topics in genetics to medical, graduate and undergraduate students, but she says that her favorite job is serving as the Director of the University of Minnesota Genetic Counseling Program, where she plays the roles of teacher, career counselor, student advocate and mentor.

"I really enjoy watching the genetic counseling students learn so much in such a short period of time," says Bonnie. "It's an amazing amount of information to learn, and they do it."

Bonnie constantly amazes her students and colleagues with her ability to juggle tasks. Not only has she been very active within NSGC, including serving as president in the mid-1990's, she has also been involved with the American Medical Association (AMA); the National Working Group on Genetics & Disability Insurance: Ethics, Law & Policy; the Minnesota March of Dimes Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies campaign; and the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). Currently, she is the associate editor of the American College of Medical Genetics journal, Genetics in Medicine.

Bonnie's most rewarding extracurricular activity has been her two years as president of the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).

"I think I learned the most in this position and I was president at a time when I had the opportunity to guide some changes with a wonderful board and weather a storm very well," said Bonnie, referring to the first experience with computerized board examinations. "What I contributed to the profession at the time I was president of ABGC, I feel very good about. Although, I think I got more out of it then I contributed."

Bonnie is currently working on grant opportunities and a new genetic counseling text. She has set her sights on encouraging genetic counselors to participate in research and contribute to the limited amount of literature that exists now for the profession. She believes that the secret to the future success of the field is for genetic counselors to perform scientific research and expand non-traditional roles by showing employers how genetic counseling skills can contribute to their work.

Bonnie recently took on yet another demanding role - that of a mother. A year and a half ago, Bonnie and her husband of 26 years adopted a one-year-old from China.

"That has been a lot more challenging and a lot more fun than I ever thought it would be," said Bonnie. "That's the biggest change in my life right now."

Her years in the field have taught Bonnie that change will always be a part of the genetic counseling profession. That's one reason she loves what she does.

"If you're bored with this career, you are probably not paying attention. Because there is so much to do and there are so many opportunities out there even within a job, that there are all kinds of other things that you can become involved with in that particular setting. Keep an open mind and take advantage of every opportunity available."

Other links describing Ms. LeRoy's work:
Website of the University of Minnesota Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling Book: Prescribing Our Future: Ethical Challenges in Genetic Counseling
Book: Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process
Pubmed list of publications