Shana Merrill

Capstone

Capstone Project Committee: Nancy Callanan, MS, CGC, Maripat Metcalf, Brad Tanner

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG) have communicated a great need for the education of physicians about the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genetic testing and counseling. I partnered with Clinical Tools, Inc. (CTI), an established provider of online medical education, to create educational modules addressing ELSI in genetics. I served as the primary author of a module addressing prenatal carrier screening and diagnostic testing issues. After undergoing revisions based on expert consultation, the prenatal module was administered to medical students across the United States. Initial evaluation of the prenatal module (n = 318) concluded that it met the course objectives and increased medical students’ knowledge regarding prenatal issues. Additionally, medical students reported that they were satisfied with the course and intended to apply the information gained when addressing prenatal ELSI with patients.  From this capstone experience, I learned how to maintain productive communication with a team, the basics of HTML computer programming, and how to employ adult learning theories to develop case based instruction. Additionally, I gained a greater understanding of prenatal testing and associated ELSI.

Since Graduation

After graduating from UNCG in 2007, Shana worked as a prenatal genetic counselor at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA. Following that she worked for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in adult/general clinical genetics, predominantly seeing patients with rare cancer syndromes, connective tissue disorders, and neurologic diseases. She then took a job starting a multidisciplinary cardiovascular genetics clinic at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where she still currently works as a senior genetic counselor.

Shana is also currently a 5th year PhD student in the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania working towards completing a PhD in Social Welfare. She hopes to soon start an academic career as a professor researching macro-level ELSI in clinical genomics.  She serves as an adjunct faculty member teaching for the Thomas Jefferson University genetic counseling program, and previously served various lecturer and clinical supervision roles for the Arcadia (now Penn) genetic counseling program.

Shana is currently living at the South Jersey Shore, where she grew up, after living in West Philadelphia for over a decade. She enjoys all outdoor activities, travel, and good beer.