Update Your ProfileAcademic Title:
Assistant Professor
Primary Appointment:
Pediatrics
Additional Title:
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics Director, Master's in Genetic Counseling Training Program
Location:
MSTF, 3-014
Phone (Primary):
(410) 706-4713
Fax:
(410) 706-1644
Education and Training
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in genetics from the Pennsylvania State University and then went on to earn my Master's of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from Arcadia University. In 2023, I earned a PhD in Health Professions Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. I am certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Biosketch
As the Director of the Master’s in Genetic Counseling Training Program, I possess the unique skill set of a mastery of genetics, communication, and risk assessment awareness. I am responsible for the education of genetic counselor trainees as well as continuing the educational support for novice and advanced skills genetic counselors. These skills are necessary and will be vital in the proposed project as we develop innovative teaching and training strategies.
1998-2001 Prenatal Genetic Counselor, Genzyme Genetics, Philadelphia, PA
2001-2004 Pediatric Genetic Counselor, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
2001-2004 Coordinator, Newborn Screening Program, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
2004-present Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2004-present Director of the Genetic Counseling Training Program, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2004-present Pediatric Genetic Counselor, University of Maryland Medical System
2004-2007 Newborn Screening Coordinator, University of Maryland Medical System
2004-2016 Cancer Genetic Counselor, Lifebridge Health, Baltimore, MD
2005-2008 Adult Genetic Counselor, University of Maryland Medical System
Highlighted Publications
Dixon, S.M., Campion, M.A., and Singletary, C.M. (2021). Risk Communication: A Complex Process in Genetic Counseling Practice. In: LeRoy, B., McCarthy Veach, P. and Bartels, D., eds. Genetic Counseling Practice: Advanced Concepts and Skills Version 2. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell, Chapter 3.
Brown, E., Skinner, M., Ashley, S., Reed, K., and Dixon, S. (2015). Assessment of the Readability of Genetic Counseling Patient Letters. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 25. 10.1007/s10897-015-9890-0.
Maloney, K. A., Alaeddin, D. S., Coelln, R. , Dixon, S. , Shulman, L. M., Schrader, K. and Guan, Y. (2018), Parkinson's Disease: Patients’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Interest in Genetic Counseling. J Genet Counsel, 27: 1200-1209. doi:10.1007/s10897-018-0239-3
Leppert, K. , Bisordi, K. , Nieto, J. , Maloney, K. , Guan, Y. , Dixon, S. and Egense, A. (2018), Genetic Counselors’ Experience with and Opinions on the Management of Newborn Screening Incidental Carrier Findings. J Genet Counsel, 27: 1328-1340. doi:10.1007/s10897-018-0258-0
Low, A. , Dixon, S. , Higgs, A. , Joines, J. and Hippman, C. (2018), Training to Provide Psychiatric Genetic Counseling: How Does It Impact Recent Graduates’ and Current Students’ Readiness to Provide Genetic Counseling for Individuals with Psychiatric Illness and Attitudes towards this Population?. J Genet Counsel, 27: 301-311. doi:10.1007/s10897-017-0146-z
Kamen M, Hellwig LD, Maloney KA, Scott J, Turner C, Dixon S. Are genetic counselors prepared to counsel active-duty service members? A survey of genetic counselors' self-efficacy, counseling techniques, and knowledge of military policy. J Genet Couns. 2022 Dec;31(6):1363-1372. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1611. Epub 2022 Aug 11. PMID: 35950707.
Additional Publication Citations
DeLany Dixon, S.M. and Konheim-Kalkstein, Y.L. (2010) Risk Communication: A Complex Process in Genetic Counseling Practice. In: LeRoy, B., McCarthy Veach, P. and Bartels, D., eds. Genetic Counseling Practice: Advanced Concepts and Skills. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell, Chapter 4. 2011
Griswold, C.M., Ashley, S.S., Dixon, S.D. and Scott, J.L. (2011). Genetic Counselors’ experiences with adolescent patients in prenatal genetic counseling. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 20(2): 178-91.
Dixon, J., Dehlinger, J., & Dixon, S. (2013). The Design and Usability Testing of a Mobile Application To Aid in Child-to-Adult-Care Transition. HCI International 2013 - Posters’ Extended Abstracts (pp. 100-104). Las Vegas: Springer.
Dixon, J., Dehlinger, J., & Dixon, S. (2013). Designing, Implementing and Testing a Mobile Application to Assist with Pediatric-to-Adult Health Care Transition. Human-Computer Interaction. Applications and Services - Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp 66-75 .
King, J.E., Plamondon, J., Counts, D., Laney, D., and Dixon, S.M. (2016). Barriers in Communication and available resources to facilitate conversation about infertility with girls diagnosed with Turner syndrome. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism (in press).
Dixon, J., Dixon, S., & Dehlinger, J. (2015). Medical Transition Checklists for Mobile Applications. ASHG Poster Session. Baltimore, MD: The American Society of Human Genetics.
Dixon, J., Dehlinger, J., Dixon, S., & Chakraborty, J. (2016). Usability Testing Results for a Mobile Medical Transition Application. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS). Toronto: Springer.
Research Interests
My role as director of the Master’s in Genetic Counseling (MGC) Training Program charges me with the development of a strong research foundation for each cohort of GC trainees. As a result, I am actively involved in the development and study of each graduating class of GCs research projects (6-10 per year). These projects are presented at national meetings (i.e. National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference).
For the last three years, I have worked towards understanding best practice in health professions education. My current research evaluates the impact of education training on genetic counseling education program directors.
Clinical Specialty Details
In addition to serving as the Director of the Master's in Genetic Counseling Training Program, Ms. Dixon enjoys working with patients in the pediatric genetics subspecialty practice.
Awards and Affiliations
2003-2004 Ambassador Corps, Medical College of Georgia Health Inc. Selected as one of 50 employees who exemplify and promote the values of the organization.
2010 Leaders Among Us Award, Summer 2010, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2010 Volunteer Leader of the Year, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2015 Arcadia University, Alumni of the Year
Grants and Contracts
2004-2007 Interdisciplinary Health Care Training and Delivery
2007-2010 Screening for Heritable Disorders in Children: Efficacy from a Family/Consumer Perspective
2011-2014 PI: A Novel Approach to Patient Transition, 10% of salary funded
2021-present PI: Warren Alpert Foundation Fellowship, 2 student training positions funded, 25% FTE faculty position
Community Service
National Committee Service
2000-2001 Member, Program Committee, 2001 Annual Education Conference, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2001-2002 Member, Mini Course Committee, 2002 Annual Education Conference, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2001-2004 Georgia State Representative, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2001-2003 Co-Chair, Abstract Committee, 2003 Annual Education Conference, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2002-2004 Co-Chair, Educational Breakout Committee, 2004 Annual Education Conference, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2004 Member, ad hoc Committee for Non-Traditional Counseling, American Board of Genetic Counseling
2005-2012 Member, New York Mid Atlantic Consortium for Genetic and Newborn Screening Services Committee for Genetic Education of Primary Care Physicians
2006-2008 American Board of Genetic Counselors, Continuing Education Unit Evaluator
2008-2012 National Society of Genetic Counselors, Continuing Education Unit Evaluator
2007-2009 Vice Chair, 2009 Annual Education Meeting, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2008-2010 Chair, 2010 Annual Education Meeting, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2010-2012 Director at Large, Board of Directors, National Society of Genetic Counselors
2010-2014 Treasurer, Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors
2017-2019 Secretary/Treasurer Elect, National Society of Genetic Counslors
Professional Activity
1996-present National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)
2001-2004 South East Regional Genetics Group (SERGG)
2004-present New York, Mid Atlantic Consortium for Genetic and Newborn Screening Services (NYMAC)
2004-present Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD)
2007-present American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
2007-present American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG)
2007-present Society for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (SIMD)