Legislative achievements honored
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| From the left: Rep. Justine A. Caldwell, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi at the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island’s Annual Cancer Summit held in Warwick on Oct. 12. |
Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) have been honored by the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island with the House and Senate Champion Partnership Awards.
The legislators were recognized for sponsoring and shepherding the Genetic Counselors Licensing Act into law during the 2022 legislative session.
The law ensures minimum standards for genetic counselors in the areas of
academic training, certification, clinical experience and the delivery of
high-quality genetic counseling services.
Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. Genetic counselors are health care professionals who have specialized graduate degrees and experience in medical genetics and counseling.
They serve
as interpreters of medical information and help patients reach decisions that
are appropriate for each individual, according to his or her own beliefs.
Some genetic counselors consult with patients for adult onset conditions such
as breast and colon cancer, Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and
for prenatal diagnosis and pediatric genetic disorders.
The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island is a passionate group of survivors, caregivers, healthcare providers, and advocates who are working together to reduce the burden of cancer in Rhode Island.
The mission of
the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island is to prevent cancer and
improve the quality of life of all Rhode Islanders living with cancer through
education, advocacy, and supportive resources.