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Bennett's Career: An Adventure of a Different KindRobin Bennett, MS, CGCrobinb@u.washington.edu Some people know just what they want to be when they grow up, even when they're very young. At the age of five, Robin Bennett thought she did, too. "I wanted to be Daniel Boone. I ran around the playground wearing my coonskin cap!" As it turns out, Robin's career turned into a different kind of adventure. Rather than defending the Alamo, she is on the front lines, advancing the field of genetic counseling as president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Robin was always interested in genetics and embryology, but did not even hear about Masters programs in genetic counseling until she was applying to Ph.D. programs in genetics. Despite her stellar academic record, she was not admitted to a genetic counseling program on her first attempt. The following year, she was admitted into the competitive Sarah Lawrence genetic counseling program, and graduated in 1984. Over the last two decades, Robin has become one of the most influential genetic counselors in the history of the profession. She not only holds a full-time job counseling patients and serving as clinical manager of the Medical Genetics Clinics at the University of Washington in Seattle, she also makes tremendous contributions through publications related to her work in Huntington disease, neurogenetics, cancer genetics, genetic counseling practice guidelines, inborn errors of metabolism, and ethical issues in genetics. In 1995, Robin was awarded the prestigious Regional Leadership Award of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. But she didn't stop there. She has also authored two books, including The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History, released in 1999. Robin is also in high demand as a speaker on genetic issues. One of the most important contributions Robin has made to the profession was her highly-publicized study revealing that first cousin relationships face a much lower risk of having a child with a genetic condition than is widely perceived. She is particularly proud of this study because "every part of that research was genetic counseling in terms of funding, primary researchers and authors." She says the topic was "something that we [genetic counselors] do well as far as the psychological issues and risk." After the paper was published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling in April of 2002, she faced a "mind-boggling" media blitz. Calls came from US News and World Report, the New York Times and AP Wireless, taking the news all over the world. The study had a very positive impact on the view towards cousin-cousin relationships. A task force on genetic discrimination in the state of Washington even made a formal recommendation to the legislature to overturn that policy. "About one-third of the world is married to their cousins. We [Americans] have an ethnocentric view of life and could be a bit more open to people of other nations," Ms. Bennett said. Between her international recognition and her many professional accomplishments, Ms. Bennett has a lot to be proud of. Her attention is never too far from home, though - she always says her greatest achievement is "staying sane with three kids." In addition to her role as President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Robin serves on the steering committees of the Coalition for Genetic Fairness and the National Coalition for Health Care Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG). Many genetic counselors will sympathize when Robin admits she used to dread being asked what she did for a living, since it always seemed to involve a lengthy explanation followed by an impromptu counseling session about a stranger's family. Now, though, she is proud to tell anyone who will listen about what she does. "Genetic counselors are our best advocates," Robin said, "and we need to be vocal about what we do and take every opportunity to educate others." Although the field has truly blossomed during her career, Ms. Bennett sees genetic counseling as one of medicine's "best kept secrets." Looking past all of her achievements, Ms. Bennett admits that what keeps her married to the field is simply making a difference in the lives of people facing serious challenges. "It makes me keep my own life in perspective-if they can manage life with challenges, then I can as well." Other links describing Ms. Bennett's work: NSGC president press release Faculty page on U Washington Press release on Washington task force Consanguinity press release Consanguinity story Pubmed list of publications Read book review & purchase her book on Wiley Interscience View her book on Wiley Interscience
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