Genetic Clinicians and Rare Sibling Support

Description
This webinar will review previous literature regarding siblings of individuals with rare diseases while addressing the limitations and paucity of research to date. Presenters will share ongoing and future research and support efforts for siblings in the rare disease community. Perspectives and personal stories of siblings will be highlighted. This presentation aims to empower genetics clinicians to understand ways they can support siblings in their own practice.

Level of Instruction
Basic - Entry level; no prior knowledge of subject necessary

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate an understanding of current research as it relates to siblings of individuals with rare diseases.
2. Identify opportunities for genetics clinicians to support siblings in clinical practice and research.
3. Review current and future efforts to support siblings in the field of genetics.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 0.10 NSGC CEU
Course opens: 
02/19/2026
Course expires: 
02/19/2028
Cost:
$0.00

Presenter: Sarah Jurgensmeyer Langas, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Sarah Jurgensmeyer Langas started her genetic counseling career at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, providing pediatric genetic counseling services in the Edwards Family Division of Genetics and Rare Diseases. In 2024 Sarah joined the Heart Center as the second genetic counselor in the Cardiovascular Genetics Center, with a specific focus on congenital heart disease, connective tissue disorders, aortopathies, and Williams syndrome. Sarah is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Genetics, Genomics and Metabolism) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and enjoys teaching and providing clinical supervision to genetic counseling graduate students and medical students. Sarah is also active in the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals, serving as President in 2024. She was the recipient of the 2023 ACMG Foundation Carolyn Mills Lovell Genetic Counselor Award and is passionate about expansion of genetic services to more patient populations.

 

Presenter: Abigail Turnwald, MS, CGC

Pediatric Genetic Counselor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Abby Turnwald is a pediatric genetic counselor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  She specializes in neurogenetics, primarily seeing patients with diagnoses of epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Outside of work, Abby supports siblings of individuals with rare diseases through her work with the FamilieSCN2A Foundation, KCNQ2 Cure, and CTNNB1 Connect and Cure. She also serves on the board of directors for Ohio SIBS. She was the recipient of the 2025 FamilieSCN2A Inclusion Award and the 2025 NSGC Community Engagement Award.

 

Moderator: Aubrey Rose, MS, CGC

Genomic Science Liaison at Ambry Genetics

Aubrey Rose is a licensed, certified genetic counselor who received her BS in Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University and her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of South Carolina. She joined Ambry Genetics in May 2025 as a Genomic Science Liaison specializing in neurology and rare disease. Before joining Ambry, she spent 4 years in a general genetics clinic at Greenwood Genetic Center with a primary focus in pediatric rare disease. She now leverages her clinical experience to support Ambry's rare disease initiatives both internally and externally, contributing to the development of new products while ensuring these innovations effectively meet the needs of clinicians and their patients.

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EducateNext is committed to providing independent, objective, and evidence-based educational content. None of the individuals in control of this content—including our planners, reviewers, and approval faculty—have any financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. For all educational sessions, speaker-specific disclosures regarding any potential conflicts of interest are required and will always be shared directly with learners at the beginning of their respective presentations.

Ambry Genetics is approved as a provider for continuing education program by NSGC and ASCLS P.A.C.E ® Programs.

Credit eligibility varies by activity; please see below for the specific credit types offered for this course.

Available Credit

  • 0.10 NSGC CEU

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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Please note: Attendees must track continuing education (CE) credits towards recertification. Credit cannot be claimed for both live and recorded versions of the same webinar; attendance is cross-checked annually. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working toward a single-platform solution to automatically manage dual registration and integrated transcript tracking.