Laurence Baret, a Faculty Lecturer in the Department of Human Genetics at McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and a Genetic Counsellor at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is the 2019 recipient of the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors’ Outstanding Supervisor Award. Graduating students submit nominations for the award, which is meant to recognize the contributions of one clinical supervisor per MSc in genetic counselling program in North America.
“A part of my job that I like most is being able to interact with highly motivated students,” says Laurence. “They inspire me and teach me so much. I felt therefore very honoured when I received this recognition from my own students.”
Laurence’s students, likewise speak glowingly of her. As part of the nomination package, Jessica Lawrence wrote that, “Laurence Baret has been a remarkable teacher, mentor, supervisor, and role model throughout our training. She gracefully balances her clinical and supervisory duties while still finding time to teach first-year classes, provide mentorship for independent studies projects, and practice capoeira in her spare time. As a teacher, mentor, and genetic counsellor, she listens actively and has a knack for distilling concerns into easily-solvable components. She has earned a reputation among students as the person to talk to when things seem so overwhelming that it is hard to even identify the problem. As a supervisor, she is kind and intuitive, knowing when to push her students to achieve more than they think they can. She gives insightful feedback and is unafraid to be vulnerable with students, which has taught us more than any advice that could be given. We feel lucky to have had Laurence as a supervisor, supporter, and mentor throughout our time in this program.”
Laurence completed a Master of Arts in Bioethics in 2008 at Université de Montréal and a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling from the University of Toronto in 2013. IN addition to her role as a Lecturer, Laurence serves as a clinical supervisor to students in the MSc Program in Genetic Counselling and to genetic residents and fellows.
As a genetic counsellor at the MUHC, Laurence provides comprehensive genetic counselling consultations to individuals and families with a history of a genetic condition. She sees patients with diverse genetic conditions at her General Adult Genetic Counselling clinic and at several specialty clinics including Cardiogenetics; Oculargenetics; the Ashkenazi Jewish Screening Program for Tay-Sachs disease, Familial Dysautonomia and Canavan Disease; and the Huntington predictive testing Genetic Counselling Program.
Laurence is an active member of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and currently serves as a co-chair of the Scientific Planning Committee of the Annual Education Conference. She is also a member of the Canadian Certification Board.
Congratulations Laurence!
November 14, 2019