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Kristin Baker Niendorf: Genetic Counseling for TodayKristin Baker Niendorf, MS, CGC When Kristin Baker Niendorf answered an e-mail inquiry from the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) administrative office, she didn’t know that she would end up on national television. The Today show was looking to interview someone who had undergone genetic testing and would be interested in telling her story. Kristin immediately remembered a woman who she had recently seen in clinic. This patient had told Kristin that she was very interested in sharing her experience if an opportunity came along. Today show producers were planning to focus just on her patient's experience, but that soon changed. Though confident by nature, Kristin admits she was nervous. “I don’t think that that I’m the type of person that seeks out the spotlight,” Kristin said. “I sort of feel like a deer in the headlights.” But Kristin felt that doing the piece was worthwhile, not only to support her patient but also to show how genetic counseling is both important and beneficial. So how did Kristin get to be a successful genetic counselor specializing in cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital and a Today show star? Her story begins at the age of eight when her brother was born with trisomy 18, a devastating chromosomal condition with a low chance of survival. Wanting to learn more about the condition, her parents sought a genetic counselor. “The genetic counseling was very helpful for my parents, not only to understand why this happened, but also to validate their feelings,” Kristin said. It was during that time Kristin came to believe in what would become her future career. “I realized that genetic counseling was the type of profession where you could really help people.” Kristin entered her undergraduate training already knowing that genetic counseling was probably her future career. It wasn’t long before she graduated from the genetic counseling program at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, making her professional dream come true. Kristin started off performing prenatal counseling and supervising the genetic counseling students in the Wisconsin program. In January of 2000, she was hired as a senior genetic counselor specializing in the genetics of inherited cancer syndromes at the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital. Now Kristin counsels patients and also is involved in research, participates in educational activities, and juggles multiple administrative duties. Kristin admits that one of the most challenging aspects of her position is balancing all of the different roles that she plays, but she enjoys that she can specialize in a specific branch of genetics. She attributes a large part of her success to the early mentoring she received from her more experienced peers. Kristin is so appreciative of the kindness she received from other genetic counselors that she has become very involved in the NSGC. She has held two Board of Directors’ positions (Membership Committee Chair and Genetic Services Committee Chair) and is currently the Co-Chair of the Familial Cancer Risk Counseling Special Interest Group (SIG) and on the editorial board for the Journal of Genetic Counseling. “I have been encouraged every step of the way by mentors within NSGC whose long-sighted views included nurturing young genetic counselors,” Kristin said. “For that vision, I am deeply appreciative. I can only hope to show my appreciation in some small part by attempting to be a mentor in my own time.” Kristin continues to feel personal satisfaction knowing that she is helping people through her genetic counseling, and believes strongly that the public should be aware of the benefits genetic counseling can provide. As the field of genetic counseling grows, she knows more and more counselors will have to step into the public spotlight as she has. So, what advice does she have for camera shy counselors? “Have confidence in yourself. Nobody knows everything,” she says. “That feeling that you have to know it all will never go away. You have the knowledge, and you have the power to do what you like if you are able to maintain that confidence.” Other links describing Ms. Niendorf’s work:
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