Mercy Laurino, MS, CGC, PhD
Dr. Mercy Laurino is a licensed genetic counselor and Director of Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She leads several teams focused on genetics, prevention, and high-risk clinical cancer services, working with adult oncology patients.
What is a Genetic Counselor?
Genetic counselors work with patients to assess their risk of having a genetic condition (including cancer), help them understand screening strategies for early cancer detection, and evaluate the risks to their family members for heritable cancer syndromes. They also help oncologists understand how a patient's genetic test result could inform what treatments might work best. Genetic counselors collect family/medical history, perform risk assessments, order and discuss the implications of genetic test results, and provide psychosocial counseling to their patients.
"Each day, I strive to make a difference and I look forward to engaging with my patients, their family members, and my work family. It is important to cherish every moment of interaction I have with anyone as an opportunity to acknowledge how much we value each other."
— Dr. Laurino
Dr. Laurino's Story
Dr. Laurino grew up in Cebu, one of about 7,000 islands in the Philippines. It is located in the Central Visayas region and Cebu City is the sixth-most populated city in the country. In Cebu, her mother worked as a high school math teacher and her father worked as a civil engineer. When she was little, Dr. Laurino didn't exactly know what she wanted to do when she grew up, but she clearly knew that she loved science and math.
Their family later immigrated to the United States in 1992, when Dr. Laurino was 13 years old. In the U.S., her mother worked at a facility that cared for children with disabilities and her father worked for the US Postal Service.
Dr. Laurino reflected that, "my parents instilled in my brothers, sister, and I the value of education." She shared that "one of my greatest educational achievements that I am proud of is that I am the first person in my family to obtain a PhD."
Video: Profile on Dr. Laurino
Watch the video below from Seattle Channel's 2018 CityStream in which Dr. Laurino tells her career story, shares family photos, and explains what genetic counselors do to help cancer patients and their families.
Educational Pathway
Dr. Laurino's educational pathway toward a career in genetic counseling included a graduate degree and a doctorate. Becoming a genetic counselor in the United States requires a master's degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, followed by achieving board certification by passing the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification exam. A PhD is not required, but it is an option for people who want to pursue research or a faculty (professor) position at a university. Dr. Laurino's path included the following:
- Undergraduate: Bachelor's of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington
- Graduate: Master's of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC)
- Board Certification: Certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling
- Doctorate: PhD in Public Health Genetics from the University of Washington
Choosing a Career in Genetic Counseling
When she was young, Dr. Laurino was not sure what she wanted to do for a job. Now, she said it "is easier for me to connect the dots looking back at the path I took for my career." When she was a child, several members of her family in the Philippines were diagnosed with cancer, including an aunt that passed away from breast cancer at a young age. Dr. Laurino noted that there were several "pivotal moments" that clarified her goals along the way. First, she remembered in college studying Cell and Molecular Biology and feeling a sense of awe when discovering "how the mRNA leaves the nucleus to be translated in the cytoplasm." She reflected that this pushed her in the direction of studying molecular genetics. Second, in college, she was encouraged by her undergraduate mentor to "choose a career that will allow me to 'talk to people' and 'continue my love of genetics'", which led her to pursue graduate training in genetic counseling. Third, she credits "serendipitously meeting the leading medical geneticist in the Philippines" for giving her "the courage to actively support the program development of the genetic counseling training in the Philippines and launch the Philippine Society of Genetic Counselors." That medical geneticist was Dr. Carmencita Padilla, a Professor of Pediatrics and Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila, who is credited with implementing the Newborn Screening Program to the nation's healthcare system. Dr. Laurino explained that "she influences my work ethic by igniting my declared values of integrity, accountability, and community service."
A Day in the Life
Dr. Laurino explained that her job has changed over time. "When I started my career as a genetic counselor, I was 100% clinical," she explained. "This means that I met with patients every day and/or talked to them over the phone." However, now as Director of Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Fred Hutch Cancer Center (formerly SCCA), her job has become more administrative, although she does still see some patients. She noted, "I continue to do this because being with patients and their family members grounds me to my commitment and a reminder to continue my chosen professional passion."
In her role, a recent project in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health Screening and Genetics unit focused on developing guidelines for optimizing the electronic health record system. Dr. Laurino explained that "this helps our clinical team streamline work processes and improve our capacity to screen, identify, and follow-up on our patients who are high-risk for cancer."
Working Toward Diversity in the Field of Genetic Counseling
Dr. Laurino is Co-Chair of the Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (DARE) committee at the University of Washington Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, a professional training program for future genetic counselors. She explained, "our field lacks diversity, as over 90% of genetic counselors are white females." The DARE committee is "committed to increasing our diversity as it will impact the quality-of-care provision to all of our patients." Their vision is "to transform higher education and healthcare by dismantling existing structures of white supremacy and advancing diversity, anti-racism, and equity."
Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation Across the World
In addition to her work at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Dr. Laurino dedicates time to teaching genetic counseling students at the University of the Philippines Manila. She also serves as a leader for several professional organizations as Board Secretary for the Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics and as the Past-President of the Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia. As a record of her leadership within the field and across the globe, Dr. Laurino was honored with the International Leader award from the National Society of Genetic Counselors in 2016.
Outside of Work
In her free time, Dr. Laurino loves to spend time with her family, friends, and two little pups. She is also an avid reader. However, working in Seattle, traveling to the Philippines to teach and visit family, and presenting at conferences certainly keeps her busy.
Advice for Students
Interested in a career in genetic counseling? Dr. Laurino wants people who are interested in a career as a genetic counselor to know about Fred Hutch's monthly Meet a Genetic Counselor virtual events. High school students and undergraduates are welcome to attend, meet genetic counselors, and ask questions. To sign up, please fill out our Interest Form for Prospective Genetic Counseling Students.
Another resource she recommends is the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). This website provides information about what genetic counselors do and the process of training to be a genetic counselor.
To get a sense of what it is like to be a genetic counselor meeting with a patient, students may view the JEMF Master Genetic Counselor Series from the NSGC. These are digital recordings of simulated genetic counseling sessions from three different specialty areas (prenatal, cancer, and pediatric). You can watch the simulated counseling session with the patient, look at the mock patient chart including family pedigree, and watch a post-session interview with the featured genetic counselor. Dr. Laurino noted that this resource is particularly helpful for students who are having trouble finding opportunities for job shadowing.
"It is an honor and privilege for me to lead a team dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and justice initiatives."
— Dr. Laurino
U.S. Wage Information
According to the 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median wage for genetic counselors in the U.S. is $95,770.
Additional Resources
Credit: Thank you to Dr. Laurino for generously participating in this project. Content used to develop this profile provided by Dr. Laurino as well as Seattle Channel. Career profile written by Dr. Kristen Clapper Bergsman.