NSGC members have been actively engaged in activities related to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) for many years that predate the timeline below. The activity listing is compiled with information that NSGC is aware of and is regularly updated as we receive additional information.
1992
The first D.E.I. article published in the first issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling
1993
Inaugural Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award (AHSPA) where a cultural competence-based cross-cultural genetic counseling curriculum (based on a member and training program needs assessment), the Handbook of Cross-Cultural Genetic Counseling, created and implemented in US accredited genetic counseling training programs
1994
The "Access to Underserved Populations Subcommittee" of the NSGC Education Committee was created.
1996
The Multicultural Genetic Counseling Special Interest Group (SIG) was created.
1998
The first Special Issue on multicultural genetic counseling for the Journal of Genetic Counseling was published.
2005
NSGC Board of Directors, under President Kelly Ormond, funds a two-day retreat in August 2005 to address racial and ethnic disparity in the NSGC membership.
2006
Report, authored by Dr. Vivian Ota Wang, on 2005 retreat to address racial and ethnic disparity in the NSGC membership, presented to NSGC Board of Directors. View Report
2008
Cultural Competency Task Force was chartered to investigate ways NSGC could drive cultural competency within the organization and profession.
Report of the Cultural Competency Task Force delivered to NSGC Board of Directors. View report
2010
The Genetic Counseling Cultural Competence Toolkit, supported by the 2009 Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship, developed by Nancy Steinberg Warren as a resource for the profession. View the Genetic Counseling Cultural Competence Toolkit
2018
Professional Issues Panel held during NSGC's 2018 Annual Conference, focused on issues of diversity wtihin the profession via discussion with invited speaker, Erica Joy Baker and NSGC President Erica Ramos
NSGC Board of Directors includes Diversity & Inclusion as one of the four pillars in NSGC's 2019-2021 Strategic Plan. View 2019-2021 Strategic Plan
2019
NSGC forms the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.
NSGC participates in the benchmarking survey for the Association Forum's Welcoming Environment Research study. This research shines a spotlight on the disconnect between what are identified as necessary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategies and where these strategies are actually being implemented in professional membership associations.
NSGC's statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is approved and posted. View statement
The report of the D&I Task Force was prepared and delivered to the NSGC Board of Directors. View summary of report.
2020
NSGC issues RFP for DEI consultant to assess and make recommendations for NSGC to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within the society in line with the recommendations of the 2019 D&I Task Force. View the RFP
NSGC Board establishes NSGC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Group to carry forward the work of the 2019 D&I Task Force.
NSGC engages the Exeter Group, a DEI consulting firm, to assess DEI within NSGC and make recommendations for NSGC to achieve the vision outlined in our DEI statement.
NSGC establishes a website to serve as a resource for activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion. View NSGC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage. View the J.E.D.I Resources Webpage
NSGC issues a statement on social and racial injustice. View statement
On June 9, NSGC held a forum on Social and Racial Justice.
The Exeter Group commenced data collection efforts, including a member survey, focus groups, stakeholder and staff interviews.
On July 31, NSGC held a call with key committee leaders and organizational partners to introduce the work of the Exeter Group.
The Journal of Genetic Counseling released three special issues on minority health disparities. View Volume 29, Issue 2; View Volume 29, Issue 3; View Volume 29, Issue 4.
On October 1, NSGC held a webinar to introduce the Exeter Group to the NSGC membership.
The Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award for 2021 was issued to Lila Aiyar, Tala Berro, Nadine Channaoui, and Michelle Takemoto for the creation of a DEI project evaluation tool. Learn More
The Exeter Group presented preliminary data from the DEI membership survey during the Professional Issues Panel at the 2020 Annual Conference.
On December 15, NSGC held a call with the Minority Genetics Professional Network (MGPN) to discuss preliminary data from the DEI membership survey.
2021
NSGC Board establishes the DEI Committee as the next iteration of the DEI Advisory Group, converting the group to a standing committee to coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of NSGC's DEI strategy. Learn More
NSGC announced a virtual option, in addition to the in-person event, for the 2021 Annual Conference.
The Exeter Group’s DEI Assessment for NSGC was released. View report.
NSGC opened a six-week comment period for input and feedback from stakeholders on how NSGC should prioritize the recommendations by the Exeter Group. The NSGC J.E.D.I. Committee, reviewed and summarized member and stakeholder organization input from the comment period. View a summary in Perspectives.
NSGC held calls with key stakeholders, including NSGC Committee chairs, SIG leaders and organizational partners to discuss how their work may align with recommendations provided by the Exeter Group.
The NSGC Board of Directors held a strategic planning session that incorporated the input and feedback from the open comment period.
NSGC released the organization's next strategic plan (2022 - 2024). J.E.D.I is included as a srategic pillar and is woven throughout the other pillars of the plan.
The AHSPA Committee issued funds to Amanda Bergner, Annie Bao, Gayun Chan-Smutko, and Janelle Villiers to support their project “Intra-Professional Antiracism Dialogue & Discourse Series (IPADS)".
NSGC President, Sara Riordan, provided an update on NSGC's J.E.D.I. action steps during the annual State of Society Address at the 40th Annual Conference, September 22 - 26.
In November 2021, the NSGC J.E.D.I. Action Plan Task Force members were announced and kick-off training and activities began. We anticipate the task force will meet for 3-4 months to develop a recommended J.E.D.I. Action Plan.
2022
NSGC's first dedicated J.E.D.I. staff member, Tyler Jasper, M.A., LCPC (she/her) J.E.D.I. Program Manager, started work on January 24.
Upcoming Activities
NSGC is committed to sharing regular updates regarding our diversity, equity and inclusion work. Below, you can find a summary of next steps in our journey and opportunities for member input and feedback.
The NSGC J.E.D.I. Action Plan is now available.