genetics community education

community education presentations

Whitney Chiles, BS
Genetic Health Educator
chilesw@childrensdayton.org
937-641-3800

Dayton Children's is committed to helping improve the health status of all children in our community. Part of these efforts include supporting community partners through education and outreach. Please contact us for educational resources and/or schedule a visit with our community outreach specialist. Many of our programs are now available on video! Additionally, programs can be provided virtually through various videoconference platforms.

presentations for schools & other community partners

• Birth defects & infant mortality prevention: Topics include genetic causes of birth defects and introduces common multifactorial birth defects due to complex inheritance. We will focus on the importance of making great choices for our health and how that could impact future generations. Healthy habits formed now lead to healthy offspring later and will help reduce Ohio’s infant mortality rate.
• Newborn screening: Only five drops of blood are needed to identify babies at risk for many serious medical conditions, many of which are genetic. Identifying and treating these conditions early in a baby’s life can prevent lifelong disabilities, and possible death. Learn more about the history of newborn screening and how it can save a baby’s life.
• Is that genetic? Importance of family health history: Genomics plays a role in many diseases. An individual’s genetic makeup may put them at higher risk than the general population, but their lifestyle and environment also play a role. Collecting family health history is the first step towards identifying risk. Learn more about how to collect and share this important information.
• Sickle cell disease: According to the CDC, sickle cell disease is one of the most common single gene disorders worldwide and affects more than 100,000 individuals in the United States. In this program, we will focus on various aspects of sickle cell disease including the underlying genetic causes, complications, and management of the disease. This program is provided through collaboration with the West Central Ohio Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center located in the Division of Hematology at Dayton Children’s.  
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a term used to describe a group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The range of effects include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities. In this program, we will focus on the effects of alcohol on a baby’s development during pregnancy and discuss how FASDs can be prevented for future generations.
• Careers in medical genetics: This program introduces careers in medical genetics, including the role of the medical geneticist, genetic counselor, nurse, cytogenetic and molecular laboratories. Through a combination of clinical photos and real-life case examples, students will understand how genetic conditions are diagnosed, treated and/or managed.
• Additional programs include the following topics; infant safe sleep & SIDS prevention, cancer genetics, cardiovascular genetics and more!

Our genetic counselors provide virtual programs throughout the year on important topics related to genetics. Contact Whitney at chilesw@childrensdayton.org to request an event schedule.  

 

click here to request an education presentation

 

presentations for health care providers 

Our genetic counselors and physicians are available to present to nurses, PAs, physicians and other health care providers on any topic of interest in genetics.