JScreen.org: Saving Lives One Swab at a Time

 

 

Melanie Hardy, the Director of Genetic Counseling Services for the JScreen program joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.

JScreen is a not-for-profit home education and carrier screening based out of Emory University that offers affordable at-home testing for individuals and families of Jewish descent who want to empower themselves with science-based knowledge to discover if they or their future children are at risk for Jewish genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, or if they are at a higher risk of cancer. Unlike other screening programs, Jscreen, allows you to screen from the comfort of your own home.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Melanie Hardy discuss the following:

1. What is JScreen exactly? How did the service come to be called JScreen?
2. How did it start – tell us about the couple that came to you in Atlanta and their story about their child and the inspiration behind JsScreen?
3. How does it work for people who want to get Screened?
4. Who helps you understand the results – is there a doctor or Genetic Counselor who talks to you about the screening?
5. How long from when you order the tests until you receive results?
6. How many tests can you get at one time and what are costs?
7. I understand you just launched the CAncerGen service – tell us about this?
8. Talk to us more about ReproGen, is that all or is there other types of screenings?

Melanie Hardy is the Director of Genetic Counseling Services for the JScreen program. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Michigan State University in 1998 and followed with a 9-year career as a high school biology, chemistry and forensics teacher. She received a Master’s degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2011. She was certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in 2012.

Before joining the JScreen team, Melanie worked as a prenatal genetic counselor in a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialty clinic in Richmond, VA. Her professional interests include community outreach and education, mentorship, provision of telehealth, and enhancement of the healthcare experience. In 2014, she was awarded the New Leader Award, and in 2019, she was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award, both by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, for involvement in a wide array of professional activities.

 

 

Website: www.jscreen.org

Social Media Links:
Facebook: facebook.com/MyJScreen 
Instagram: @GetJScreened
Twitter: @MyJScreen