Blase named director of genetic counseling at MMI

After a national search, Terri Blase has been named the inaugural director of genetic counseling services at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Blase, who has been at MMI for five years as a genetic counselor, will continue with clinical responsibilities while taking on an administrative role — working with MMI’s growing cadre of geneticists and genetic counselors while exploring ways to expand the scope and impact of the services through contracts and collaboration.

“Our team is growing,” said Blase, who will direct MMI’s genetic counseling program. “To me, this role is a way to assure that we are meeting our commitments while we continue to grow, expand and provide services to people and in areas we haven’t before.”

Blase said Omar Rahman, MD, already has set her up for success. When Dr. Rahman arrived at MMI in 2017 to become the director of the department of genetics, the institute had five geneticists and six genetic counselors. Today, the institute has six geneticists and 17 genetic counselors, a growth that reflects the growing importance of the field in the health care community.

Genetic counselors are ever more integrated into the health care system, Dr. Rahman said, citing that as one reason the new position is necessary.

“There are many opportunities, and we need leadership to guide that part of our practice,” he said.

There is no doubt, he said, that Blase is the person to provide that leadership.

“When I arrived in 2017, it didn’t take long to see that Terri already was a leader among her peers,” he said. “I and the search committee saw this in a number of informal roles she took on. For example, when we first began our recruitment push, she stepped forward and worked hard to double our genetic counselor staff in that first year. She then recognized a need for mentorship as junior counselors were making up a large proportion of our staff and developed a program to address that.

“These skills are what we need in a director of genetic counseling services. And the role is something really new across the U.S. We’re not the first to create this role, but places are just now starting to do so. Terri is the perfect person to help set the stage for what this role will look like, not just here, but across the U.S.”

Blase said that the growth in the genetic counseling program at MMI comes from a commitment to serving Nebraska that runs from university leadership down to the counselors themselves.

“UNMC believes in genetic counselors, and because of that belief, we have momentum,” she said. “When we recruit, we recruit forward thinkers. We have counselors on our staff who have been paving the way for this profession for years.”

More providers throughout the state are looking to integrate genetic counseling into their practices, Dr. Rahman said. As she takes over the role, Blase will meet with team members to assess strengths, identify concerns and discuss potential areas of growth in the face of this interest.

“We care about how we can be innovative in the ways we deliver our services,” she said. “That is something we’ll continue to improve upon so we can reach more people in Nebraska.

“I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to discuss where else we can provide services. We can do so much for people by improving our level of coordination and exploring new partnerships and collaborations.”

Blase said she was excited for the possibilities the new position offered for the growth of genetic counseling in Nebraska.

“This opportunity to grow our genetic counseling capability is great for genetic medicine, for the university and for the state.”

“Terri’s new role is an important one as MMI’s genetic counseling services continue to expand,” said MMI director Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD. “With her demonstrated commitment and leadership skills, she will shepherd the growth of our counseling services as she explores new collaborations and avenues for MMI to continue to serve our families and the people of Nebraska.”

It is intended that the position will be funded as an endowed professorship within five years through the Friedland Family Foundation.