Cathy Wicklund, MS, CGC

Director, Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Genetic Medicine
Feinberg School of Medicine

Faculty Biography:
Cathy Wicklund received her bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a master of science degree in genetic counseling from the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling at the University of Texas Graduate School in Biomedical Sciences at Houston in 1993. Cathy received her board certification from ABGC in 1996. After graduation, Cathy worked in prenatal and pediatrics at Cooper Hospital in New Jersey. Cathy joined the University of Texas Medical School-Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences in 1996 where she was the director of Prenatal Genetic Counseling Services. In addition, she was the co-director of the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling at the University of Texas.

After 10 years at the University of Texas she joined the Northwestern Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling as the associate director in 2006 and became director in August of 2007. In addition, she provides prenatal genetic counseling services in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Cathy is also very active in the National Society of Genetic Counselors. She co-chaired the 2005 Annual Education Conference and was on the Board of Directors as Region V Representative (1999-2001) and Secretary (2002-2004). She just completed her tenure as NSGC President in December of 2008. As President of NSGC, she has represented the organization at several national committees including the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society and she is a member of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health. She is also active on a state level, working with the Illinois Department of Public Health on genetics education and finance and reimbursement issues, and as a member of the Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee. Her research interests include cross-cultural communication, psychosocial and counseling issues, prenatal diagnosis, decision making, billing and reimbursement and delivery of genetic services.

As director of the program, she works closely with the associate director, medical director and assistant director on administration, overall curriculum and clinical development, clinical rotations, and thesis development.