ABGC Spotlight: Wendy Uhlmann

Wendy Uhlmann, MS, CGC is a certified genetic counselor specializing in adult medical genetics at the University of Michigan. She is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Human Genetics and Executive Faculty member of the Genetic Counseling graduate program.
 
Wendy Uhlmann received her Master’s degree in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan in December 1987, but she had to wait until June 1990 to take the certification exam through the American Board of Medical Genetics. She shares, “In those days, the certification exam was offered every three years and genetic counselors took the same general exam as the physicians.”
 
“Even though I received lifetime certification through the American Board of Medical Genetics, I chose to become a charter member of the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). I wanted to support the Board and voluntarily recertify to show that I am keeping up with continuing education in our rapidly changing field,” mused Wendy. “I am proud to have 'CGC' next to my name.”
 
Wendy worked in prenatal genetic counseling for five years at Wayne State University School of Medicine before returning to the University of Michigan in 1993 to be the genetic counselor/clinic coordinator of the Medical Genetics Clinic. She sees adult patients with a wide range of genetic conditions and provides clinical supervision for genetic counseling students, medical students, residents and fellows.
 
Wendy is also involved in research both with genetic counseling students and as a member of J. Scott Robert, PhD’s research team. She has a long-standing interest in neurological conditions since her father had multiple sclerosis and was a wheelchair user. In 2007, she joined Dr. Robert’s team as a certified genetic counselor to serve as a co-investigator and study clinician for the Michigan site of the NIH funded REVEAL Study (Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease). This multi-site randomized study was launched in 1999 with the goal of assessing the psychological and behavioral impact of providing genetic risk assessment to individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
 
REVEAL trials have explored providing information in an extended versus condensed format, phone disclosure of results, disclosing results to individuals with mild cognitive impairment and currently, REVEAL-SCAN is assessing the impact of disclosure of amyloid imaging results. The REVEAL research is timely given the increasing interest in using genetic tests and other biomarkers to identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.