Heather Willems, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor

Ms. Heather Willems is a Genetic Counselor in Appleton, WI with special training and skill in counseling and medical genetics. As a Genetic Counselor, Heather Willems, MS, CGC performs preimplantation testing, predictive testing, carrier testing, prenatal testing, newborn screening, and diagnostic testing. Genetic Counseling is the process used to determine the risk of inherited disorders in families. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Genetic Counselors include developmental delay, cleft lip or palate, autism, cystic fibrosis, achondroplasia, Down syndrome, and cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Genetic Counselors include reviewing a patient's family history, explaining test results and treatment options, helping families to make decisions, providing emotional support, communicating with laboratories, writing consultation letters, collaborating with health care providers, and conducting research.

A masters trained health care provider who collects and interprets genetic family histories; assesses the risk of disease occurrence or recurrence; identifies interventions to manage or ameliorate disease risk; educates about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, ethical issues, resources, and research; and counsels to promote informed choices and adaptation. Certification was established in 1993 by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and prior to that by the American Board of Medical Genetics. Requirements for experience, licensure, and job responsibilities vary among the states.