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The Katherine & Myles Brendish (KMB) Endowed Scholarship Fund will support students enrolled in the MS, Genetic Counseling Program, at the College of Health Solutions. The inspiration for establishing this scholarship stems from our desire to decrease the barriers students face when considering a career in genetic counseling. Genetic counselors help individuals incorporate complex and emotionally powerful genetic information meaningfully into the lives of those impacted by a genetic disease.

After practicing as a clinical genetic counselor in the specialties of prenatal, pediatrics and adult genetics (including cancer, neurology, and cardiology) for 24 years, Katherine Hunt Brendish was hired by the College of Health Solutions to develop the MS degree in Genetic Counseling at the College of Health Solutions. “Meeting with patients and their families who learn devastating information about themselves, or their family has helped me to appreciate what a privilege it is to be there to support our families and assist them with making difficult decisions or just be there to listen.

“When I started my position at ASU, I was impressed by the ASU charter stating, that ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom we exclude, but rather by whom we include and how they succeed. In addition, part of the mission of the College of Health Solutions is to improve the mental and physical health of our larger and immediate communities by better understanding the challenges that individuals and populations face, while striving to be part of the solution. Both of these value statements assured me that I was in the right place to create the type of program with an inclusive and warm environment for students.”

“I am grateful to Dean Deborah Helitzer for providing a home for this accredited degree program in Genetic Counseling and for supporting the development of this program over the last five years. We are about to graduate our first cohort of four students, and this is a milestone to be proud of!”

As researchers discover genetic associations with all types of diseases, most people in the population will be impacted by genetic information in some capacity, requiring them to meet with a genetic counselor. This is another motivation for establishing this scholarship fund. If we want to make a difference in the lives of all who are impacted by genetic information, the profession will need to train genetic counselors who come from all types of communities and backgrounds. “My husband is from India, and he understands firsthand how important it is to ensure everyone has access to similar information and opportunities, regardless of where you come from.”

Students who are accepted into the MS, Genetic Counseling degree at ASU have already worked very hard to earn a coveted spot in the program. “I am impressed by how much thoughtful preparation through coursework, volunteering and research into the profession our students undertake to be admitted into an MS training program in genetic counseling.”

Once a student enters the program, completing challenging courses, fieldwork and advocacy experiences as well as a thesis/applied project, are all required to graduate. “My students' passion for wanting to help others, their ambition to undertake this type of rigorous degree and the sacrifices they make to get through this intensive two-year program, motivate me every day to work hard and do right by them.”

“The inspiration from my students is the spirit behind this scholarship fund. Our goal is for this fund to help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with graduate education and provide more opportunities for all types of students to join the program. Graduates from the program will go on to make a difference in the lives of those they see, which will translate into making a difference in communities across the nation.”